That candid shot of grandma tearing up during the vows, your friends' hilarious dance floor moments, or the behind-the-scenes getting-ready chaos your photographer wasn't around to see...
Here's your challenge: Collect all those photos from your wedding - without spending weeks chasing people down.
Here is everything you need to know about gathering guest photos, so that you can keep the memories you need to keep your big day alive for years to come.
Why collecting guest photos matter
Your guests capture moments your photographer simply can't be everywhere for. They document:
- Guest interactions and conversations
- Different angles of key moments
- The raw energy of the reception
- Behind-the-scenes moments before and after
- Candid reactions during the ceremony
- Genuine, unposed expressions
If your photographer brings a second shooter, they can capture some of these moments, but will still miss everything guests do before and after your wedding, like their preparations, gift shopping, travel, etc. And even a second shooter cannot be everywhere at once.
The Old Ways (And Why They Don't Work)
Hashtag? Email? WhatsApp? Disposable cameras? Dropbox? There's plenty of alternatives, and some are free, but let me explain why a small investment in LiveWall is a surefire way to get more of those memories, and much less stressful.
Creating a Wedding Hashtag
The most common approach is creating a unique hashtag like #SmithWedding2026 and asking guests to use it when posting to Instagram.
But... Only 20-30% of guests actually remember to use it, and many don't post to social media at all (especially older relatives). Worst case, your photos are spread across multiple platforms, and it is now up to you to collect them all. And you have a deadline: Photos disappear when guests make their accounts private or delete posts.
Many social networks make it close to impossible to download the high resolution original, or worst case resample and recompress your photos so that the print-quality disappears.
Finally, and maybe most important, the entire world has finally turned privacy concious. Do you want AI trained on your wedding? Or risk your photos being used for purposes you do not approve of? Or moments misunderstood as they are taken out of context?
Email Collection
Asking guests to email you their photos sounds simple, but in reality, most guests forget, struggle with file-size restrictions, and it is still up to you to collect and save all the files in the right place. Cross your fingers that your mailbox does not run full and some mails are lost forever.
Google Drive or Dropbox Folders
Google Drive is the choice for those that want a completely free solution. The challenge is that everyone needs a Google account, but hey, who doesn't these days? Let me tell you - Grandma and your aunts.
One good thing with Google Drive is that everyone can see all the photos too - but that is also a challenge as there is no moderation and very few security settings.
Dropbox is the paid alternative, and their Request Files option actually works really well. It is a "dumping place" that anyone can use, but does not let the guests see other guests photos. To do that you'll need to share the folder, and that actually takes space from everyones' drives, which is not ideal if you have many high-quality photos.
Should guests see other guests photos? Our statistics show that couples that allow that gather far more photos than those that don't. It creates fun and engagement, and a mild, nice form of group pressure!
The Modern Solution: QR Code Photo Sharing
The easiest way to collect wedding photos is using a QR code that guests scan with their phone cameras. Here's how it works:
- Create a digital event with a photo-sharing app
- Display QR codes around your venue (table cards, signage, programs)
- Guests scan and upload instantly—no app download or account required
- All photos appear in one place in real-time during your event
Why does this work better? Guests can use whatever phone they have, it works equally well with Android and iPhone. Uploads literally take a few seconds, and guests use an interface they already know and love. Plus, there's no need to create an account, so it works for anyone, regardless of their tech-savviness.
It's also better for you. You get all photos collected in one place. Email notifications whenever new photos and videos arrive. Everything can be delivered straight to your Google Drive, or conveniently downloaded in a single ZIP file after the wedding. Original quality and all metadata is preserved. And, you have full control of privacy, security on a platform that does not track you nor your guests.
How to Set Up QR Code Photo Collection
Here's our checklists for succeeding with a QR photo app:
First, choose your platform
Look for services that does not require an app download, lets you try before you buy, has unlimited capacity, does not limit or price by number of guests, supports video (people take more and more video, so you don't want to miss that), ZIP download and/or Google Drive integration.
I would strongly recommend that you read their Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policies, especially so called 'Fair Use Policies' which often redefine or override terms like 'unlimited' in the marketing material.
If you are privacy concious check if they track you using a tool like Blacklight.
Look for other features that you might like - tools to sort and organize, album and photo book creation, likes and comments, etc.
Now, prepare your site
It should be possible to upload your photo and style the event to match your wedding theme. Invest in making the site appealing to guests. Our statistics show that couples that share the link early, upload and showcase photos of their own preparations, and let guests see other guests' photos collect way more than those that just ask guests to upload to a 'letterbox'.
Download your QR code, share the link via text and email and on your wedding site, and print small cards to give to guests during your wedding. Small cards that guests can bring with them to also upload later is our favorite.
We also recommend putting the QR code on your invitation, at the entrance and by the guestbook, and print on menus and programs.
Keep it simple: Include simple instructions like "Scan to share your photos!" and give some ideas of what to snap. Maybe even create a kind of "scavenger hunt" or challenge? Who gets the best photo with the bride's mother?
During the Wedding
Here's a checklist so you make the most out of this on your big day. Delegate all of this, your only job that day is to enjoy the spectacle!
- Have your wedding planning or coordinator remind every table about the photo sharing
- Consider if your toastmaster should make a quick announcement during dinner
- Have a screen somewhere that shows what is uploaded, this creates engagement, maybe something your DJ can help with when the dance gets going?
After the Wedding
- Send a reminder to everyone via text or email. Many prefer to upload after going through everything and selecting their best shots. This is where those "business-card" style cards with QR codes come in.
- Ask guests to subscribe to notifications or emails from the app. The joy of seeing photos shared from others, and the mild group pressure, makes you collect way more photos.
- Download your files, or enjoy them all if they are delivered straight to your Google Drive.
- Print a physical album with the best shots, and show it to all your friends every time they visit. After all, it is your WEDDING!!!
Some best practices
This wedding day only happens once, so you want to remember as much of it as possible. And, when friends visits years from now, how awesome would it not be to look through photos where they are present, not just photos of you?
Make it visible. People are busy, distracted, and sometimes there's drinks. Place QR codes where people can easily find and see them. A the bar. Near the photo booth. On every reception table. Near the guestbook. In restrooms. (Yes. People use their phones there!)
Give clear instructions. Consider a small competition. Best photo with the bride. A toast with the toastmaster. Funniest dance move. Kiss the mother in law on the cheek.
Respect privacy. Be clear about who can see and download photos, and how they will be used, and that your provider protects everyones privacy.
When choosing a solution, choose one you'd like to use for your anniversaries and other big days too.
The Bottom Line
Collecting wedding photos from guests doesn't have to be complicated. With QR code photo sharing, you'll capture hundreds of candid moments you'd otherwise miss, all organized in one place, without the hassle of chasing people down after your wedding.
The key is making it as easy as possible for guests to participate—no apps to download, no accounts to create, just scan and upload in seconds.
Your future self will thank you when you're looking through your wedding album and seeing your special day from every perspective, including all those priceless candid moments only your guests could capture.
Looking for a simple solution? Try LiveWall for free to see if you like it. No limits, many cool features competitors don't have, privacy and security like no other, and reasonable pricing. If this is not the time to challenge your budget, we have a blog post that explains exactly how to use Google Drive as best as possible - after all, it is 'free' - and a free QR-code generator that works along with it. The most important thing for us it that you capture those memories and keep them safe for generations to come!
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