Most guests show up to weddings expecting tears, toasts, and an open bar. But wedding photographers see a side of the couples that family members and friends don’t see.
With hours of front-row access to body language, awkward dynamics, and behind-the-scenes meltdowns, photographers often witness a version of the couple that the rest of the guests never witness. Some of them say the signs of a doomed marriage are visible before the ink on the license is dry.
Here are a few red flags that professional photographers say can signal trouble ahead…
1. One person refuses to take photos
According to photographer Christopher Todd Griffiths, grooms are the most frequent offenders when it comes to refusing to pose for photos. But it’s not about camera shyness. “They really are unwilling to cooperate,” he told the Daily Mail. It’s a sign they’re not willing to show up for something their partner clearly cares about. That resistance, especially on a day built around participation, can signal significant incompatibilities.
2. There’s zero chemistry—on camera or off
Photographers say some couples need no direction. They’re naturally affectionate, look for each other in the room, and move together efficiently. Others? They barely make eye contact. Griffiths said it’s sometimes obvious that the couple doesn’t even want to stand next to each other. That forced closeness is easy to spot in photos, and harder to hide in real life.
3. They fall apart when something goes wrong
Freelance photographer Devin Dugard says mishaps reveal a lot more than posed portraits. If a couple blames each other when the florist forgets the boutonnieres or the cake melts in the sun, it’s usually not about the flowers or the cake. Dugard watches for whether couples handle problems like a team, or start unraveling the second something goes off script.
4. They avoid eye contact completely
Some awkwardness is expected when you’re being photographed all day. But when a couple can’t look each other in the eyes even during the ceremony or portraits, Dugard says that it often points to something bigger than nerves.
Of course, some couples hold it together for the photos, the guests, and the first few years. Then something shifts.
Sometimes the photo album is the most flattering version of what happened.
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