The best places to find stock photos for wedding pros
This post contains affiliate links for products I use myself & recommend.
Should you use stock photos in your wedding business?
Your brand is everything, especially when it comes to the wedding industry. Having consistent and clear photos helps you come off as professional, trustworthy, and, let's be real, totally worth the investment ;) Wedding clients are often super visual folks. They need to see examples of what they’re looking for to feel confident in what you can offer – even if that's just a specific “mood”.
You've got to keep your audience captivated with high-quality visuals across your website, social media, blog, emails, and brochures — and that requires a lot of photos. If you’re just throwing everything you’ve got up there without a game plan, you might just confuse your audience. They won’t know what to expect from you, and you might lose out to a competitor with a stronger online presence. So, you gotta keep things polished and professional with high-quality photos to create that memorable visual identity.
But what if you're just starting out, don't have a portfolio you're proud of, or you're in the midst of a rebrand? That's where stock photos can be your bestie. And no - you're not replacing your work - you're complementing it.
By using stock photos along with your absolute best portfolio images, you can create a clear brand story that your ideal clients will totally vibe with. It’s all about drawing them in with aspirational imagery that resonates with their dream wedding vision.
→ Not sure if your current pics are cutting it? Check out this blog post for a quick rundown of what types of images you need on your website.
→ I've also got a workshop, The Image Curation Lab, where I dive deep into the process of curating a solid collection of images for YOUR specific brand that will resonate with your ideal audience :) If you're interested, you can check it out here.
How to use stock photos as a wedding vendor?
Wondering how to weave stock photos into your wedding business in a tasteful way?
Stock photos can be a lifesaver when you're a wedding planner, photographer, hair and makeup artist, cake baker, florist, DJ, or any other wedding vendor without a robust portfolio yet.
They're perfect for layering, using as section/canvas backgrounds, adding texture, educational or inspirational blog posts, or setting a certain atmosphere.
Here are some examples from our past web design projects to show you how stock photos can be utilized:
Here are some specific Scenarios where stock photos would be useful:
Let’s say you're a photographer or planner dreaming of shooting more destination weddings. Even if you haven’t had a chance to jet off to Europe, Hawaii, or your dream location yet, you can sprinkle those dreamy destination photos throughout your website and marketing to attract couples seeking that wanderlust experience.
Or maybe you’re a budding cake decorator with some stunning creations under your belt, but you haven’t gotten many pics back that align with your brand’s light, whimsical, and airy vibe. Stock photos of couples, florals, or tablescapes can help you paint a complete brand picture.
If you’re a celebrant with a cool, edgy brand and need more photos to match that vibe, some moody or editorial complementary stock photos can set the tone and attract those rebellious clients.
And if you’re an event designer who hasn’t had a chance for a brand shoot recently, stock photos are your go-to for all those cute little details like office setups and fabric swatches.
Tips for using stock photos without sacrificing integrity
→ Avoid using stock that could be mistaken for your own work. If you’re a caterer, don’t use photos of food you didn’t create. If you’re a florist, don’t show arrangements you didn’t design. If you’re a calligrapher, don’t show invitation suites you didn’t actually write. You get the idea.
→ If you absolutely must use stock that could be mistaken for your work, keep it subtle. These can work as background images with other elements on top.
→ Get creative with it! They don’t always have to include literal wedding subject matter. Think about the key elements of your brand and how that could be represented through photos. Whether it's art, travel, bright colors, or a rockstar attitude, you can use related stock photos to fill in those gaps in your marketing.
What are the best places to buy wedding stock photos?
Here are my top 3 places to source awesome stock photos for your wedding business: including their benefits, drawbacks, and pricing.
→ You can also find stock videos through these shops, too, which work great as backgrounds on your website sections or Instagram posts.
SourcedCo.com
Best value & largest wedding range
Sourced Co. is the ultimate hub for wedding-specific content. They offer a treasure trove of everything a wedding business could need, from clean & crisp images to videos, mockups, and templates.
Whether you're looking for moody, vibrant, or neutral tones, they've got you covered. They shoot alllllll the wedding essentials: cakes, stationary suites, rings, tablescapes, bouquets, floral installations, dresses, nature shots, flatlays, indoor and outdoor settings, lounge seating, office scenes, + inclusive models.
These photos tend to lean warm, soft, and romantic - with a luxury, modern look.
Pricing:
What I LOVE is that you can choose to buy photos individually for just $8 or you can pay a flat one-time fee of $365 to get immediate access to their ENTIRE library - PLUS the new shoots they add each month!? That’s pretty unheard of - most stock memberships require a recurring fee.
HauteStock.co
Best for high-end branding photos
Haute Stock has some cool wedding-focused shots, along with a bunch of atmospheric images. Think chic office setups, dreamy travel snaps, elegant beauty shots, glam accessories, and lush florals. If you’re someone who plans honeymoon trips for couples, they’ve got a ton of high-end travel photos from all over. They do tend to stick to more neutral tones.
It’s worth mentioning, though, that their wedding collection isn’t massive since the site isn’t exclusively for wedding pros. So, it might be a good idea to peek at their collections on the blog before you sign up, just to make sure they’ve got what you’re after. And, because Haute Stock is super popular, there’s a chance you’ll spot some of the same images on other businesses’ sites.
My favorite perk of this membership is their Couture Creation® service. Their design pros will hand-pick images that match your brand’s vibe, colors, and target audience. You’ll get a custom mood board, access to over 100 curated images, and personalized search and keyword tips. How cool is that?!
Pricing:
Haute Stock photography is only available in a subscription service model — you pay a regular fee and gain access to their full library, plus all the fresh new stuff they drop every month. As of the time writing this, you can choose to pay either $149 per quarter or $499 per year to keep your membership active.
CreativeMarket.com
Best for purchasing select bundles
Creative Market is an online marketplace (not too dissimilar from Etsy) where thousands of creators can sell their work - including stock photos!
This is also a great place to get mockups if you are designing paper goods like invitations or menus. Plus, they offer a fantastic selection of travel and architectural photos if you’re hoping to book more work abroad.
But, heads up, with the vast array of products on Creative Market, you might find yourself doing a bit of digging. Some content can feel a tad dated or not as luxe as you might prefer.
Pricing:
If you’re just after a few staple shots for your brand at $7-$15 each, or want to grab a collection for $40-$100, Creative Market can be a great resource.
Here’s a look at some of my favorite stock bundle shops for wedding pros in Creative Market:
Creative Maven Co. — These are creative images that include paintbrushes, swatches, and florals — perfect for a live painter. She also has a few nice wedding collections with different color themes containing all your standard details like florals, brides, and tablescapes.
Marsala Digital — Ideal for stationers & designers, this shop has a vast array of mockups tailored for invitations, signage, place cards, programs, menus, and more.
Megan Lee Photography — A diverse collection that can help you define your style with your audience. These could be great staples for a wedding planner, photographer, or any wedding pro.
THIS Venice, Italy stock collection by Garden of Muses — These photos can elevate your brand for sure; but it’s not just about aesthetics. If you're aiming to attract couples interested in international destination weddings, images like these are suuuper helpful to have in your marketing.
Struggling to create a consistently-branded collection of photos?
Say hello to The Image Curation Lab, a workshop for mastering the art of selecting the perfect images to attract your dream clients.
What's Inside:
A 40-minute session where I spill all my secrets on curating killer images for my clients
A handy workbook to help you nail down exactly what you want your photos to say about your brand
Pro tips on picking the perfect shots, keeping things consistent, and staying organized
Plus, I'll advise on those tricky moments when you're low on quality pics
