The Bokeh Effect in Wedding Photography: Creating Magical, Dreamy Backgrounds

Let’s take a look at some of the creative effects that I like to use, and explore how they can take an ordinary photo and make it magic!

Bokeh, derived from the Japanese word “boke,” meaning “blur,” refers to the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image. In photography, it’s the soft, creamy blur that occurs in the background when a subject is in sharp focus. The bokeh effect adds a dreamy, ethereal feel to photos, making it especially popular in wedding photography to capture romantic and artistic moments.

To create stunning bokeh in wedding photos, I start by using a lens with a large aperture (f/1.2 to f/2.8). The wider the aperture, the more pronounced the blur. I focus on my subject—like the couple or a wedding detail—while ensuring the background is filled with lights, such as fairy lights or candles, to create beautiful, round bokeh shapes. The key is to keep the background at a distance from the subject to enhance the blur.

Incorporating bokeh in wedding photography brings out the intimate atmosphere of the event, highlighting the couple while softening distractions in the background. Whether it’s a first kiss or a candid moment, bokeh adds a magical touch, turning ordinary scenes into unforgettable memories with a touch of romance and elegance.

This is one of my favorite techniques! I have 3 lenses that excel at this, a 75mm, 35mm and 27mm. Each with its own unique look! Check out some examples below, all done with the use of a tripod.