In the world of destination weddings, couples are increasingly choosing to extend their photography beyond the wedding day itself. A growing trend among modern couples is scheduling pre- or post-wedding photo sessions at the destination of their wedding, capturing the beauty of the location and the intimacy of their relationship without the pressures of the big day.
Unlike traditional engagement sessions, these destination portrait shoots take place at the wedding location itself — often days before or after the celebration –giving couples extra time to explore, connect, and create editorial-style images that complement their wedding gallery. Wedding photographers say the trend reflects a shift toward more intentional, experience-driven wedding weekends.
Planning a destination wedding felt incredibly special to us. Doing a pre-wedding shoot in the city felt like the perfect way to start telling that story.”
Coltin + Julian
Why Destination Pre-Wedding Photo Sessions Are on the Rise
According to industry professionals, one of the biggest benefits of a pre-wedding session is the freedom from the tight timeline of a wedding day.
“A pre-wedding session tends to offer more flexibility in posing options, testing out looks AND exploring locations you might not have time to do during your wedding day,” explains Jen Sulak, lead photographer of Weirdo Weddings Photography. “The rush of a wedding day is typically filled with family, friends and a timeline that has you bouncing from minute to minute, but a pre-wedding time gives you just that, TIME.”
That extra time allows couples to enjoy their destination together, turning the session into a meaningful moment during the wedding trip itself.
For Julian and Coltin, who are planning their October 2026 wedding in Cartagena, Colombia, that intentionality was exactly the appeal. “Planning a destination wedding there felt incredibly special to us,” they share. “Doing a pre-wedding shoot in the city felt like the perfect way to start telling that story.”
“Pre-wedding sessions offer extra time for the couple to enjoy the destination they are in without having to worry about being taken away from the guest experience,” says Megan Gielow, owner of Megan Gielow Photography. “Most of my clients want to be 100 percent engaged with their guests on the wedding day but also want incredible portraits in their wedding clothes that show off the destination they chose.”
For couples traveling to iconic locations, that flexibility can make all the difference.
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Photographers say these sessions often feel more relaxed than engagement shoots, which can sometimes carry expectations around invitations or wedding websites.
“I’m a big advocate of pre-wedding sessions because they offer a more relaxed and less stressful chance for you to be you in front of the camera without the time and people pressures of the wedding day,” says McKenzi Taylor, founder of Cactus Collective Weddings.
She adds that engagement sessions can sometimes feel staged because they serve specific purposes during the planning process.
“An engagement session can feel a little bit cheesy … those photos usually have a specific purpose in mind,” Taylor explains. “A pre-wedding session offers a more natural experience.”
The relaxed environment also allows photographers to learn how couples interact, ultimately leading to stronger images on the wedding day. The relaxed pace was something Julian and Coltin experienced firsthand during their Cartagena session.
“Wedding planning can get busy quickly, so our shoot felt like a moment to pause and focus on each other,” they explain. “Walking through the streets of the Walled City and soaking in the atmosphere reminded us why we’re doing all of this in the first place.”
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A Creative Opportunity for Couples and Photographers
Especially for destination weddings, photographers say these sessions create opportunities to lean into the setting in a more editorial, story-driven way.
For Julian and Coltin, Cartagena itself became part of the narrative. “The colorful colonial architecture, flower-filled balconies, and cobblestone streets create such a romantic setting,” they say. “The city itself really guided the locations.”
“These sessions are an opportunity to dive in deeper and tell more of the story of the wedding weekend,” explains Jessica Feiden, CEO of Jessica K Feiden Photography. “Especially for destination weddings, there could be multiple photo locations that are sentimental to the couple but don’t logistically make sense for portraits on a wedding day.”
Some couples choose to wear their wedding attire, while others opt for more editorial fashion looks.
Sulak says she often encourages couples to explore ideas freely during these sessions. “If we start with a concept and it sounds good on paper, but won’t translate as well into real scenarios, we discuss that… we have backup options to explore and just have fun with it.”
Budgeting and Planning a Destination Pre-Wedding Session
For couples considering this trend, photographers say planning ahead is key.
Most professionals recommend planning a pre-wedding shoot three to six months in advance, especially for destination weddings where travel logistics and location scouting are involved.
Pricing varies depending on the photographer and the complexity of the shoot. According to Sulak, couples can typically expect to invest $800–$1,200 for a curated session, while some photographers bundle the experience into their destination wedding packages.
Gielow notes that these sessions often become highlights of the wedding weekend.
“I truly love pre- or post-wedding sessions because they allow the couple to have some downtime on their wedding weekend where they can take it all in at a slower pace,” she says.
The Future of the Trend
As destination weddings evolve into multi-day experiences, industry experts expect pre-wedding sessions to continue gaining popularity.
“With the rise of content creation, especially in the wedding industry, I see this trend becoming more popular over the years,” Feiden says. “More and more couples are going to be opting to have more than just their wedding day photographed during their wedding weekend.”
For many couples, the appeal is simple: more memories, more time together, and more ways to celebrate the place where their story unfolds.
As Coltin and Julian put it, “A pre-wedding shoot is such a special way to slow down and celebrate the journey to the wedding.”
