SMALL WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS | choose love, not fear

Intimate Weddings & Elopement Photography

Since 2002, the WPJA has been connecting couples with the best, most artistic wedding photographers from around the world.

Wedding photographer Stam Chananakhon
Wedding Photography by Thinh Phan
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes wedding photography by Coralie Garavel of the France WPJA
Italian wedding and elopement photographer - Alessia Bruchi Fotografia
England documentary wedding and elopement photography by Nathan Eames
Portrait of wedding photographer Sarah Nader
United States destination documentary wedding photography by Taber Lacie
PNW Wedding and Elopement Photography by Brianna Parks
Massachusetts Couple Portraits by Wedding Photographer Katie Kaizer
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Nilufer Nalbantoglu
Denver adventure wedding elopement photos by Jennifer Garza of Colorado
Canada Wedding Reportage Photography by Colleen Johnson
UK wedding reportage photography by Elodie Ruelleux-Dagorne
Ufuk Sarisen Wedding Photography
Wedding, engagement and elopement images by Mark Creery of Colorado
Italy Couple Engagement Sessions Wedding and Elopement Photographer Carlo Bettuolo
Couple Portraits and Wedding Photography by Tsvetelina Deliyska

Authentic Photography

The WPJA organizes various wedding photography rounds annually, recognizing and honoring exceptionally captivating images.

Take a look at the previous victors by clicking on the links below:

Intimate, Micro Wedding Planning & Elopement Articles

Not everyone has a lagoon or glacier next door, but there's no rule saying you can't have a small wedding in the great outdoors. Take advantage of natural...

Kobe Vanderzande, of Limburg, is a wedding photographer for

There’s nothing quite like an intimate wedding reception in a tent, with its uniquely informal atmosphere, customized decor and proximity to the elements...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

Florian Fauvarque, of Isere(38) , is a wedding photographer for
Jacob Hannah, of Vermont, is a wedding photographer for

WPJA Contest Photos - January 19th, 2024

Any wedding photographer is going to want to please their clients — but they also want their work to be appreciated on a broader scale. This is one of the reasons why the Wedding Photojournalist Association members love our regular photography competitions. These popular contests give our photographers the opportunity to submit their best images in hopes of being selected as a winner and being recognized for their creativity and effort. Our contests are judged by a panel of notable and respected working photojournalists and picture editors in the news industry, which adds an element of prestige to our awards.

In this award-winning photo, taken at a cocktail place in Poitiers, Vienne, three friends of the bride are captivated by the sight of the wedding ring. The photographer specializes in documenting priceless moments like these in Vienne.
Newlyweds share their first dance against the stunning sunset backdrop at Squantum Association in Riverside, RI, captured by a talented wedding photojournalist
At Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel in Istanbul, Turkiye, this photo captures a lively Libyan wedding reception moment. The image shows a man standing on another man's shoulders, while other men engage in conversation, in a joyful atmosphere.
A professional wedding photographer in Beaver, PA captures the heartfelt moment when the bride's sister-in-law delicately applies makeup to her daughter, the flower girl, in preparation for the special day. This image was recognized by the WPJA.
At home in Vendée, France, the bride and her best friend prepare for the wedding in the bathroom, using mirrors to complete their makeup
At Relais Franciacorta in Brescia, Italy, a couple can be seen cutting their wedding cake amidst a spectacular fireworks display. The bride and groom share a romantic kiss under the night sky.
At Jaipur, India: Capturing the celebratory moment of opening the champagne at the wedding cake table
At Salones Mayestic in Arjona, Jaén, this wedding couple faces a playful challenge as they are lifted on their friends' shoulders. The bride stretches to reach the cake topper, held by the groom atop the cake.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - January 31st, 2024

The Artistic Guild competitions are distinctly different from our other WPJA contests because this category is specifically for photographers who use their talent to create digitally-enhanced images, staged portraits and dramatic detail images. This competition attracts documentary wedding photographers who also view themselves as artists who are constantly looking to create their next masterpiece.

An award-winning image showing the artistic skill of a wedding photographer at Wrenbury Hall, Cheshire, UK. The black and white photo showcases the groomsmen preparing for the wedding, carefully placing pocket squares with remarkable attention to detail.
A wedding photographer captures the bride and groom celebrating their special day by popping champagne at The Hotel Hershey in Pennsylvania. The stunning image showcases their joy against a beautiful deep blue painted brick wall, beautifully illuminated.
Capturing a detail of connection and adventure, this award-winning image showcases the delicate touch between a couple's hands on the shifter of a vibrant red sports car at Lipnik Residence in Ruse, Bulgaria.
In Brabant Wallon, Wallonie, at the wedding ceremony location, a detailed black and white shot captures the bride clutching her speech in her hand.
Wedding photo captured in the Union Market Business District; showcasing the bride and groom during their portrait session on the vibrant city streets before their ceremony in DC
In this wedding photo taken at Piney River Ranch near Vail, CO, the groom tenderly kisses the bride amidst the serene beauty of the mountains and mesmerizing reflections in the river.
In Poitiers, the groom's witnesses carry him for a group photo at the wedding. The black and white portrait captures the humor pose.
In Pontremoli, Italy, a beautiful wedding portrait captured the bride and groom seated in a pose. The groom can be seen reading a newspaper against a village stone building, creating a memorable and artistic image.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - May 8th, 2024

Couples who are searching for a wedding photographer often want a pre-wedding engagement portrait session as well as wedding day photography services. Engagement photographers need to rely on their skill and expertise in order to help their couples select a meaningful location for their portrait session. These awards allow engagement photographers to submit their most moving engagement images in hopes of being recognized for their creativity and skill.

At Chamonix, French Alps, a couple in the mountains laughing and holding each other, capturing the love and excitement before their upcoming wedding day.
At Milano Navigli, a couple wandered through the local streets, basking in the warm afternoon light, capturing the essence of their love before they say "I do."
During their engagement session in Tregastel, Brittany, France, the couple captures their shared excitement as she is framed by two round large boulders, while he jumps off one, spreading his arms like wings against the blue sky.
During their late afternoon engagement session in Seaside, Florida, the man lovingly wraps his arms around the woman from behind in the forest setting.
In Alice, CO, the couple posed in the rain at night at St. Mary's church: she sat down while he stood up, their heads close together in a loving pose.
At Porlock Beach, a couple sits together on the rocks, laughing and dressed warmly for their engagement portrait session before their upcoming wedding.
In Baeza, Jaén, Spain, before their wedding, a couple poses playfully together, throwing their hats towards the camera in a charming alleyway with ancient stone walls.
At Baker Beach, San Francisco CA, amid the crowds, a couple discovers a hidden trail, capturing the essence of their love with engagement portraits before their upcoming wedding.

TLC - True Love Captured - March 3rd, 2023

This WPJA photography competition is focused on the emotions that are on display throughout any wedding event. The images showcase the powerful emotions that the couple are experiencing, and any of the feelings that any wedding guests may go through. The TLC contests follow a long-standing WPJA category tradition of capturing raw emotions.

At a wedding in Bucharest, Romania, the groom lovingly hugged his sister - a beautiful black and white image captured the emotional moment
The photographer at the W Hotel in Chicago, IL captured a beautiful moment of the bride kissing her grandma right before walking down the aisle
The bride and her father shared an emotional moment as he kissed her head in the back of the limo just before the ceremony, captured perfectly in their wedding photo from Trieste, Italy
The happy couple leaving their civil ceremony in Biarritz, France with their little boy beaming with joy at his parents' marriage, is captured wonderfully in this wedding photo, showing the love from his mother
The bride's parents' emotional embrace and tears at the Chinese tea wedding ceremony in Sanya, Hainan, China was truly a beautiful moment to be captured by the photographer
The photographer at Ancenis, France captured a heart-warming moment of the bride holding hands with her father-in-law as he saw her for the first time in her wedding dress before the ceremony
The wedding photojournalist captured the beautiful and emotional moment of the Bride as she reads her heartfelt vows in the sunshine beneath the trees at Hardy Farm in Fryeburg, Maine
The tender loving moment of the bride caressing her groom's face during their wedding ceremony at Duino, Trieste, Italy was captured perfectly in the wedding photo