How to Collect Wedding Photos From Guests in 2026

Short answer: Set up a QR code photo gallery before your wedding, print the code on table cards and signage, and let guests upload throughout the reception. Use Gather Shot so guests can scan and upload from their browser without downloading an app or creating an account.

• QR galleries capture candid moments your photographer misses
• No app downloads or account creation required for guests
• Place QR codes on table tents, near the bar, and at photo spots
• Keep uploads open for 2-3 weeks to catch late submissions
• Send a follow-up with the gallery link in your thank-you messages

Who this is for (and not for)

This guide is for:

• Couples wanting candid photos from every table and friend group
• Wedding planners helping clients collect guest memories
• Anyone who has tried group chats and ended up with scattered, compressed images

This is not for:

• Photographers delivering professional galleries to clients
• Couples who only want professional photos
• Weddings with fewer than 20 guests (group chat works fine at that scale)

Why your photographer cannot capture everything

Your photographer focuses on must-have shots: ceremony, portraits, first dance. Meanwhile, guests capture the moments happening everywhere else. The college roommates laughing at the bar. Your grandmother dancing with your nephew. The groomsmen’s ridiculous poses when nobody’s looking.

Without a system, these photos stay trapped on phones. Guests intend to send them “later,” but life gets in the way.

Common methods and their drawbacks

How QR code photo galleries work

Gather Shot is a photo sharing platform for events that removes the friction from wedding photo collection. Guests scan a QR code with their phone camera, land on your branded upload page, and share photos directly. No app. No account. Works on any smartphone.

Before the wedding:

1. Create your event and customize with your wedding colors
2. Generate your QR code and download for printing
3. Add the gallery link to your wedding website
4. Use our Wedding Day Timeline Builder to schedule QR code announcements

During the wedding:

1. Place QR codes on table cards, at the bar, near the photo booth
2. Have the DJ mention it once or twice
3. Ask your wedding party to upload early to seed the gallery

After the wedding:

1. Send the gallery link in your thank-you messages
2. Keep the upload window open for 2-3 weeks
3. Organize uploads by moment and download your favorites

Tips to maximize participation

Signage placement: Put QR codes anywhere guests pause. Welcome table, bar, dessert station, guest book area, bathroom mirrors.

Verbal reminders: One sentence from the DJ works wonders. “Scan the QR code on your table to share your photos with the couple.”

Post-event follow-up: Send a reminder within 48 hours. “If you took photos, we would love to see them. Upload here.”

Frequently asked questions

Do guests need to download an app? No. Everything happens in the browser. Guests scan, select photos, and upload.

Can I review photos before sharing the gallery? Yes. Moderation tools let you approve, hide, or tag photos before sharing.

What about older relatives who are not tech-savvy? QR codes are now familiar from restaurant menus. Scan and upload takes 10 seconds with no technical knowledge.

How long should I keep uploads open? 2-3 weeks captures most late submissions. Gather Shot allows up to 60 days.

Can I organize photos by moment? Yes. Tag photos by ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and after-party for easy album creation.

Summary and next steps

Stop chasing guests for photos. Set up your QR gallery before the wedding, print codes on every surface guests will see, and send a follow-up reminder after the celebration.

Create your free wedding gallery and start collecting memories.