Why Are Cigars Seeing a Resurgence at Weddings?

We didn’t notice it all at once. It wasn’t like one wedding suddenly flipped a switch and every couple after that asked about cigars. It was slower than that. Quieter. The kind of thing you only catch when you’ve been around long enough to notice patterns instead of trends.

At first, it was just one groom stepping outside with his dad after dinner, the two of them leaning against a limestone wall at a San Antonio venue, laughing about something that clearly had nothing to do with the timeline. Another time it was a group of friends who slipped away from the dance floor for a breather, ties loosened, heels kicked off, passing a cutter around like it was second nature. Eventually, we realized we were photographing these moments at more and more weddings, and couples were smiling the biggest when we showed them those images afterward.

Somewhere along the way, cigars found their way back into weddings—not as a gimmick, but as a moment.

A Quiet Return, Not a Loud Trend

What’s interesting is that cigars didn’t come roaring back with signage and announcements. They slipped in through side doors and patios. They showed up late in the evening, once the formalities were done and the pressure to “do it right” had eased. And that’s probably why they work so well now.

Weddings today feel different than they did even ten years ago. Couples aren’t just thinking about how things look. They’re thinking about how the day feels. They care about whether their people actually connect, whether conversations happen naturally, whether there’s room to breathe.

Cigars create that room.

They slow things down. They invite people to linger. They don’t demand attention the way a grand entrance or sparkler exit does. Instead, they offer permission to step out of the noise for a moment and just be together.

The Moments We Keep Coming Back To

There’s one wedding that always comes to mind when we think about this. It was late—late enough that the dance floor had already hit its stride and eased into that relaxed rhythm where people dance because they’re happy, not because the schedule says so. Outside, the bride slipped away with her new husband and her uncles.

It wasn’t a performance or a moment on the timeline. It was family. The kind of easy laughter that comes from shared history and inside jokes that don’t need explaining. They talked about the ceremony, about childhood memories, about how strange and wonderful it felt to say “my husband” out loud for the first time. No one noticed us at first, and that’s always how you know you’re in the right place.

When we delivered their gallery later, those were the images they came back to. Not the details they’d spent months deciding on. Not even the portraits. It was those quiet, smoky moments with the people who shaped her, standing beside the person she chose. That’s the thing about cigars at weddings. They don’t create emotion. They simply show up right where it already lives.

Why Couples Are Drawn to Them Now

We think part of the resurgence comes from couples craving something that feels grounded. Weddings can move fast. Faster than anyone expects. One minute you’re reading vows, the next you’re cutting cake, and suddenly someone’s asking if you’re ready for the exit.

Cigars interrupt that rush.

They give couples a reason to pause and gather with the people who matter most. Often it’s parents, siblings, longtime friends. The people who knew you before the engagement, before the planning spreadsheets. Sharing a cigar feels a little nostalgic, even if it’s your first one. It carries a sense of significance, like saying, “This matters. Let’s sit with it for a minute.”

In San Antonio especially, with so many venues offering beautiful outdoor spaces, cigar moments feel natural. Courtyards, patios, river views, Hill Country air cooling off after sunset—it all lends itself to those slower pockets of time.

From a Photographer’s Viewpoint

We’ll be honest. From where we stand, cigars are a gift.

Not because they’re trendy or dramatic, but because they bring out honesty. People relax when they step away from the crowd. Shoulders drop. Conversations deepen. Laughter comes easier. Faces soften in a way that doesn’t happen under fluorescent lights or in the middle of a packed dance floor.

Photographically, these moments feel timeless. The light is dramatic. The compositions are layered and natural. Smoke drifts through frames in ways you can’t plan, and when it catches the light just right, it adds atmosphere without stealing focus.

But more than that, cigars create scenes instead of setups. We’re not directing anything. We’re just observing, the same way guests do, except we get to freeze it for you to come back to years later.

It’s Not About Who It’s “For” Anymore

One thing we’ve noticed over the years is how much this tradition has expanded. Cigars aren’t reserved for the guys anymore, if they ever truly were. We’ve seen brides light up with their dads, moms join the circle out of curiosity, friends take a puff and laugh at themselves for trying something new.

That inclusivity changes the energy. It stops being about an image and starts being about experience. And that’s where weddings feel most alive.

When These Moments Happen Best

Almost always, cigar moments happen after dinner. After the formal dances. After the pressure lifts. Sometimes it’s planned with a small lounge setup. Other times it’s spontaneous, someone pulling a cigar from a jacket pocket and suddenly there’s a group forming.

The best ones don’t feel scheduled. They feel earned.

That’s another reason couples are embracing this again. Not everything needs a timeline slot. Some of the best parts of a wedding happen when no one’s looking at the clock.

A Thoughtful Touch, Not a Requirement

Of course, cigars aren’t for everyone, and they don’t need to be. We’ve photographed beautiful weddings without them. The point isn’t the cigar itself. It’s what it represents.

Intentional pauses. Shared experiences. Space for connection.

For couples who do choose to include them, the most meaningful versions are always the ones done thoughtfully. Consideration for guests. Awareness of the space. A sense that this is an offering, not an obligation.

When it’s done that way, it never feels forced. It feels like an extension of the couple.

Why This Feels Like It’s Here to Stay

Trends usually shout. This doesn’t.

Cigars have returned quietly, carried by couples who care more about how their wedding feels than how it photographs. Ironically, that’s exactly why they photograph so well.

They invite presence. They create stories. They give people a reason to gather in smaller circles and talk about things that matter. In a day that can feel like it’s constantly moving forward, they offer a rare moment to stop and say, “This is good. Let’s remember this.”

And that’s really what weddings are about.

Not the checklist. Not the timeline. But the moments you don’t want to rush past.

If cigars help create even one of those moments, it’s easy to see why they’re finding their way back into weddings again.