Analog trends in 2026: Why Couples Are Craving Real Moments in an AI world
If you grew up in the 90/00s like me, you’ll remember snapping disposable cameras at birthdays or on holiday, then waiting AGES to see the photos - the anticipation! Family events were filmed clunky video cameras… shaky hands, soft focus and absolutely no filters (and NO counting Instagram likes after).
Fast forward to now, in the midst of running a wedding business, it’s clear analog is having a proper comeback. So many elements we used at our my own wedding - vintage photobooths, Polaroids and super 8 film. And I love seeing them pop up in other weddings too!
So, why are Gen Z & Millennial couples craving analog?
Many of my clients fall into the Gen Z bracket, and this generation doesn’t tend to ask how things should be done. This new wave of weddings tend to be rooted in vibe, story and authentic moments rather than strict tradition. And though they’ve grown up hyper-connected, posting reels, scrolling feeds, creating content, they are craving real moments more so then after.
Being surrounded by digital perfection and AI-generated content, we notice it when something feels too polished, predictable, or “manufactured.” That’s part of why analog is so appealing - it’s human, imperfect, and unrepeatable in a way older generations might not even notice.
Even as a digital creator myself (mostly making content for Instagram), I love working with couples who choose no filters, retouching and opt for camcorder footage.
Analog gives couples:
Presence: no retakes, just living the moment.
Tactility: physical photos like Polaroids you can hold onto.
Storytelling that lasts: a timeless wedding reel that won’t date.
Authenticity: unpolished content.
If there’s anything the analog trend shows us, it’s that we’re craving real things.
How to add analog to your wedding
Couples are bringing this into their weddings in all sorts of ways. Here’s some ideas I love:
Disposable cameras on tables
Polaroid guestbooks
Vintage photo booths
Vinyl DJ
Super 8 videography
Live illustrations
Camcorder content
A film photographer
An unplugged ceremony
Printed albums
At my UK wedding, we had a vintage photo booth (inspired by Sure Thing Chapel, Las Vegas) and a Polaroid camera for guests to use The photos weren’t perfect, and that’s why it added to that old-school charm. And for our Vegas wedding, our Super 8 worked beautifully for that nostalgic, vintage romance.
But what does that mean as a Content Creator?
For me, analog isn’t about rejecting digital. The reality is weddings today are shared online, reels go up the next day, and stories are posted. But adding material like camcorder footage keeps my work rooted to my ethos. It means couples aren’t thinking about how things look and guests aren’t glued to their phones (that’s a content creator’s job - no need for everyone to be on theirs!).
In a world where so much can be edited, enhanced, or AI-generated, analog captures the little imperfections that make a moment real.