Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hey professional photographers, what is your dress code when you are doing weddings? Is there any disrespect if you show up to a client's wedding wearing nice jeans and a polo shirt?

I'm considering wearing dress pants, but I'm afraid they don't take bending down as well as a good pair of jeans does... and my dress pants are actually kind of long which means I'll need to wear heels... which is definitely not an option for a shoot. hahaha.

I usually wear all black, khakhis, a golf shirt (if in the summer) and comfortable shoes (no runners).

When I got married last month (in the Philippines) my photographers wore jeans and a t-shirt, his sister wore a dress. I didn't care (as long as they were comfortable...the weather was HOT), I was more worried about the photos.

I've seen photographers and videographers wear jeans, running shoes and designer t-shirts to weddings. While you can get away dressing like that for some weddings, I personally don't think it looks very professional.

Some weddings can be very formal and you need to dress at least business casual. It's a tough call because you need to be comfortable since you'll be on your feet for 90% of the day and moving about. I wear a solid coloured dri-fit polo/golf shirt and slacks. Neutral to dark colours blends in well and you don't stand out all too much. For a female photographer, I guess it's a little more tricky trying to look feminine while staying comfortable. Time to go shopping for some comfy slacks where you can wear flat shoes.

If you sweat a lot, deodorant in your camera bag (or car) goes a long way esp for the reception. I always carry a spare shirt with me to change into for the reception part of the shoot. Last thing you want to do if you're a stinker is walk past your potential clients while they're eating or drinking when you reek of BO.

I wear my nice black jeans, black dress shoe's, and a nice shirt. I don't own a suit, so that is my wedding dress up atire. Although I am supposed to be going to a wedding (as a guest) in October - so maybe I should get a pair of dress pants -- oh how I hate dress wear.

My photographer for my wedding was wearing Doc martin's, dark blue jeans, and a nice shirt.... and I really didn't care to tell you the truth! It was all about the photos - and she delivered. Some of my guests made comments like "where did you find her" ... but I think once they saw the result of the pictures, there was no questions anymore. She is top notch!

I think you should look the part of attending a wedding.
Jeans and t-shirts are not acceptable to me.

I think you should at least blend with the people, a shirt and dress pants.
And please don't wear runners. Just plain awful.

As for women, do the same thing. Get a dress shirt and black pants. No heels, comfortable flats.

All black and I let the couple know and I ask if they want something else, hasn't happened yet.

Black Rockport slip on dress shoes, very comfortable, black dress pants, black short sleeve shirt for outside and I change into a black dress shirt once inside.

I would never wear anything else unless it was a beach wedding. I have one in Hawaii next year. If it's on the beach I'll wear my speedo!

ask the client

for footwear I recommend suede loafers. They look classy but are infinitely more comfortable than hard leather dress shoes. They're even more comfortable than canvas sneakers.

I would not call ourselves "professional photogs", but I do weddings for friends. I wear a suit with Rockport dress shoes and my wife wears a dress with dressy flats and sometimes heels. I'm the primary shooter and my wife is the secondary.

I wear my wedding suit.

It's similar to my birthday suit.

Right answer.

Usually like this (this is Dave, not me):



I don't wear fancy dress pants or a suit to a wedding, but I do have a bunch of black and navy blue slacks from Mark's Work Wearhouse that do stand up to me kneeling on pavement, lying down on the grass, scraping along brick walls, etc. I usually wear a long-sleeved collared button-down shirt, but I also have black short-sleeved shirts (like what Dave is wearing if it is really hot.

There are exceptions (beach weddings, campsite weddings, etc.), but the main thing is that you don't want to stick out like a sore thumb amongst the guests.

I always wear a nice, ironed dress shirt, usually black or dark colours. Black/charcoal dress pants and black leather dress shoes. It's important to appear professional and blend in with the other guests as much as possible. I think it wouldn't be ideal to wear casual wear like jeans, but that's just me.

At some higher end venues, we've been required to wear jacket and tie as well.

For a more casual laidback rural wedding, beach wedding, destination wedding I might relax the dress code and wear khakis and/or a lighter coloured shirt (mainly for comfort under the bright sun).

Ditto on ask the client.

Make sure that you have quiet soled shoes. Discretion is key.

ditto... I have only done a couple of weddings so far, and when I do, I wear a nice pair of black pants - not dress pants, and black button down long or short sleeve depending on weather. And black shoes. Never had any complaints. I am working, not a guest. I wouldn't want to crawl in the grass or lean up against walls in 'dress clothing'

Went to the mall today to look for something appropriate. Couldn't find anything for pants! Women's pants are so uncomfortable, unless they're jeans (sometimes) or workout pants.

I have some dress pants that I wear to work, but really, I don't want to crawl around in those.

I'm sure you could find a nice comfy pair of cotton pants (Chinos) somewhere?

The GAP?

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?ci ... pid=482843

There's JCrew:

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBr ... /pants.jsp

The chinos don't look too bad, but the GAP one seems a little bit too casual? They are yoga pants after all (I wouldn't mind wearing those to do a wedding tho!!)