Today we’re talking about the best lenses for wedding photography in 2025.
Lens choice can impact your wedding photography style, the types of images you can create, and the quality of photographs you deliver to the client.
In this article, I will walk you through the best lenses to elevate your wedding photography while considering everything from image quality to lens value and ROI (return on investment).
As a wedding photographer with over a decade of experience, I’ve used a variety of lenses in my work.
I’ll share the tried and true lenses that I keep coming back to.
I’ll also share some insights about how these lenses will impact your work.
We’ll walk through the must-have focal lengths and then get into specific lenses based on brands.
By the end, you’ll know which lenses are worth budgeting for as you refresh your gear for the 2025 wedding season.
3 Must-Have Prime Lenses for Wedding Photography
As we dive into the best lenses for wedding photography, I’m going to talk about a variety of factors.
You might be expecting an emphasis on focal length, which is accurate as the focal length you choose will impact how you compose images.
We’ll also talk about aperture because fast lenses, or those with a wide aperture, are essential for low-light locations like indoor ceremonies and wedding receptions.
Then, we’ll talk about other factors like weight and durability, and how such factors impact the functionality of the lenses.
In this section, I’m discussing prime lenses, and in the next, I’ll talk about options for zoom lenses.
Prime lenses are often a top choice for wedding photography because they offer superior sharpness, bokeh, and low-light performance.
Many photographers also love how lightweight they are since weddings are often all-day affairs.
My top recommendations for wedding photography prime lenses are the 35mm, 85mm, and 50mm lenses.
Let’s talk about why.
1. 35mm f/1.4 or 35mm f/1.8
A low aperture 35mm lens is a must-have lens for wedding photography.
It’s a versatile focal length that can be used both for wide shots and storytelling.
Wedding photography often encompasses shooting in a variety of locations.
Shooting in tight locations can require using a lens that’s wide enough to capture the scene without introducing a lot of distortion.
The 35mm is a great storytelling lens that’s a common favorite of wedding photographers.
It’s great from the getting ready room to the ceremony to the late-night receptions.
Since you’re often shooting this lens in low light, having a low aperture is essential.
Additionally, depending on the exact brand and lens you shoot, a 35mm can be very compact and lightweight
Some alternatives will be the 24mm lens for a little wider perspective or a 16-35mm zoom lens which we’ll talk about in the next section.
My selections below include my top picks based on how they balance performance with price.
35mm DSLR Options
35mm Mirrorless Camera Options
2. 85mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8
Another crowd-favorite focal length for wedding photography is the 85mm lens.
For this lens, we still want a low aperture lens but for different reasons than the 35mm.
We’re not always looking for low-light performance here as much as we’re looking for creamy bokeh.
A low-aperture 85mm lens is a very flattering lens that makes your subjects look good.
While a 35mm lens can sometimes make close portraits look distorted, an 85mm lens gives subjects a complimentary representation.
And no one wants to look as good as a bride or groom does on their wedding day.
85mm is a flattering focal length, and the bokeh of a low aperture can blur the background, bringing even more focus onto your subject.
Because of these qualities, this lens is very popular for portraits.
I also use it for receptions where the low-light performance can matter, although I often use a flash set-up to have more control over the quality of the light.
Some alternatives might be the 50mm lens, which I’ll discuss next, or a 70-200mm zoom lens, which will be in the next section.
Again, the options listed below strike a balance of quality and value.
We want durable lenses that produce high image quality without breaking the bank.
85mm DSLR Options
85mm Mirrorless Camera Options
3. 50mm f/1.4 or 55mm f/1.8
Where the 35mm and 85mm make a great team, the 50mm strikes a versatile balance between the two.
Sometimes the 85mm is simply too limiting in tight places, but the 35mm isn’t as flattering as you’d like.
Enter the 50mm lens. This lens is great for portraits, reception details, and more.
The 50mm is not known as a storytelling lens because you can’t get as close to your subjects as with the 35mm.
It can be a little limiting when shooting indoors, but this does encourage you to focus on your framing.
However, some people love the 50mm focal length because they feel like it looks more like the perspective of the human eye.
A lot of photographers love the lack of distortion and flexibility of this lens. It’s sort of a jack of all trades.
Alternatives might be going wider with a 35mm, tighter with an 85mm, or trying out a 24-70 zoom lens.
One thing to note is that some brands offer a 55mm lens, which is essentially the same as a 50mm lens with minimal visual difference in image representation.
50mm DSLR Options
50mm Mirrorless Camera Options
3 Must-Have Zoom Lenses for Wedding Photography
While prime lenses are a popular choice for wedding photography, some photographers prefer zoom lenses.
Zoom lenses allow you to change focal length without changing lenses.
This is great for flexibility and fast-paced wedding scenarios.
One caveat is that I recommend beginners use prime lenses.
A zoom can sometimes be overwhelming because it just gives too many options of focal length to choose from (especially the 24-70mm zoom).
Below are the top three zoom lenses to consider.
Be aware that zoom lenses can be heavier than primes, especially at lower focal lengths and wider apertures.
They can also be more expensive.
Therefore, you might consider pairing a higher aperture zoom lens with a fast prime.
Think through the different portions of the day that you’re going to photograph and what you might use when.
1. 24-70mm f/2.8
The 24-70 is a versatile workhorse for ceremonies, portraits, and receptions. It covers the most commonly used focal lengths, is versatile, and is fast.
This lens covers a wide range of focal lengths, allowing you to move quickly in the fast-paced environment of a wedding day.
One minute the bride is getting ready, and the next she is walking down the aisle. With a 24-70mm lens, you don’t need to worry about missing a moment while swapping lenses.
Things are happening right in front of you or across the room.
While I always recommend that you intentionally choose the focal length you want to shoot rather than just spinning the zoom ring, this lens allows you to do so without changing lenses.
In practice, this is intentionally creating a 35mm image or a 50mm image even when you’re using a 24-70mm. Don’t just zoom to 24, snap a photo, then zoom to 70 and snap another photo.
24-70mm DSLR Options
24-70mm Mirrorless Camera Options
2. 70-200mm f/2.8
The 70-200m lens is ideal for capturing candid moments and ceremonies from a distance. It’s one of the most classic zoom lenses for weddings, and I’ve had one in my bag since 2011.
I also love this lens for couples portraits when I want to create compression with a stunning background.
This lens isn’t often a reception lens for me, so I can get a higher aperture 70-200mm lens and save some of my low-light performance budget for a fast prime.
I’ve been shooting a 70-200mm lens at weddings since the beginning of my business and I don’t foresee stopping anytime soon.
It’s great for fast-paced ceremonies when I need to be flexible and on my toes.
It also works well when you can’t get close to your subject.
70-200mm DSLR Options
70-200mm Mirrorless Camera Options
3. 16-35mm f/2.8
One of my all-time favorite lenses is the 16-35mm lens, which is excellent for wide-angle shots, dramatic perspectives, and tight venues.
This is what I’m talking about in terms of how your focal length choice will impact your style of photography.
I shoot a lot of environmental portraits, and the 16-35mm lens helps me capture dramatic views.
While I typically use this lens in the 24-35mm range, having the wide 16mm option is nice for big landscapes or astrophotography.
The f/2.8 minimum aperture on most 16-35mm lenses can be a hindrance in dark venues but most of the time I find it to be workable (especially with late-model cameras or off-camera flash).
Using the lens at 35mm, I can also capture storytelling images during other portions of the day.
While I love the lightweight and compact 35mm prime lens, the 16-35mm gives me that extra range to really immerse the viewer in the landscape.
16-35mm DSLR Options
16-35mm Mirrorless Camera Options
Best Lenses for Wedding Photography by Camera Brand
Best Nikon Lenses for Wedding Photography
Best Canon Lenses for Wedding Photography
Best Sony Lenses for Wedding Photography
Specialty Lenses to Consider
Some photographers have a style that warrants a specialty lens.
If you have an editorial style, you might be interested in a macro lens for close-ups of rings, details, and small objects.
Some wedding photographers incorporate a tilt-shift lens to create unique perspectives or correct distortion in architectural shots. They can give that blurred, tiny world effect.
Other wedding photographers love using a fisheye lens for creative wide-angle shots during receptions.
You’ll want to determine how much value such specialty lenses could add to your business and whether it makes sense to add something like this to your photography kit.
These can be great for adding a creative outlet to your images but I would prioritize them only after you’ve built out a full kit of lenses.
How to Build a Wedding Photography Lens Kit
I talked about a lot of lenses in today’s guide, so how do you choose which ones are right for you?
Chances are you need more than one lens to cover all of the focal lengths of a wedding day.
You’ll have to determine your budget and your needs to find the right balance of lenses.
Do you need all your lenses to be fast, low-aperture lenses, or can you decide where to make compromises?
You might shoot a two-lens setup that consists of two fast prime lenses like the 35mm and the 85mm.
Or you might shoot a two-lens setup with one fast prime and one zoom, like a 35mm and a 70-200mm.
Some wedding photographers have three or more lenses, like the 16-35mm, 55mm, and a 70-200mm zoom.
You might have an ideal lens lineup, and then you might have the lens lineup that you can afford.
You can also rent lenses for specific weddings.
For example, if you’re generally shooting outdoors, you might not usually need fast lenses, but with an indoor ceremony upcoming, you might rent a lens for the occasion.
Another option is to look at 3rd party lenses like Sigma, Tamron, Samyang, Tokina, etc. These brands are often cheaper than Canon, Nikon, and Sony lenses.
Renting can often get expensive if you do it consistently, but the benefit is that you only rent lenses when you have a paid job.
FAQs
What is the best budget lens for wedding photography?
A versatile and affordable option is a “nifty fifty” like the 50mm f/1.8.
50mm lenses are known for their lightweight design and excellent low-light performance at a good price.
These lenses are great for portraits, detail shots, and even wider scenes if you step back.
They can be limiting in tight spaces, so a 35mm might be a better option.
What are the best cheap Canon lenses for wedding photography?
Canon’s 50mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.8 lenses are excellent budget-friendly choices for wedding photographers.
You can pair these lenses with a zoom lens such as the 24-105mm f/4 for added versatility without breaking the bank.
Is a 24mm lens good for weddings?
A 24mm lens is a great option for capturing wide shots at a wedding and some photographers prefer it to the 35mm for shooting large groups, venue scene-setting shots, or storytelling moments.
It’s wider, which can make it more flexible but can also result in more distortion.
This is a great focal length to pair with something like an 85mm or 50mm lens for variety.
Do you need a 70-200mm for wedding photography?
While not essential, a 70-200mm lens is a favorite for professional wedding photographers.
This lens allows you to capture things from a distance and create beautiful compression in your portraits.
Is 50mm or 35mm better for weddings?
Choosing between the 50mm and 35mm focal lengths for weddings can be a tricky decision.
The 50mm is a popular choice for portraits with a natural perspective, but many photographers prefer the wider and therefore more versatile 35mm for storytelling and environmental shots.
Many wedding photographers carry both.
Is 50mm or 85mm better for wedding photography?
Again, the choice here can be tricky and depends on your photography style and set-up.
The 50mm is much more versatile, whereas the 85mm can be limiting.
However, the 85mm really shines for dreamy portraits with background blur.
Conclusion
I hope this guide helps you choose the best lenses for wedding photography.
It’s important to remember that constraints often spur creativity, so having a bag full of lenses may not help you get better photos.
In contrast, some photos can only be taken with a certain lens, so adding one to your kit may expand your possibilities.
If you have any favorite lenses or setups that work well, leave a comment down below.
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