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.

BW portrait of Mark Wallis, Europe wedding reportage photographer
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Nilufer Nalbantoglu
Engagement, Wedding and Elopement Photographer for New England, Andy Madea
Wedding Photography by Jola Mulder
Kirill Brusilovsky wedding photography for creative couples
Portrait of Wedding Photographer Denise Chastain
Portrait of Wedding Photographer Sarah Priestap
Nicholas Haigh - UK wedding reportage photographer
Shaun Baker - Wedding Photographer and Couple Portrait Professional
Studio portrait of Wes Shinn - owner / wedding and elopement photography studio
BestDayEver elopement and wedding photography by Teun Bakker
Bavaria wedding and elopement photography by Andrea Kühl of Germany
BW Studio Portrait of Wedding Photographer Renan Radici
San Antonio wedding photography by Kelly Williams of the Texas WPJA
Kim Chapman, a talented wedding photographer offering her services in the beautiful city of Portland, Maine, United States
Italy Wedding and Elopement Photography

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

Kate Crabtree, of Maine, is a wedding photographer for
Michela Bocciarelli, of Milano, is a wedding photographer for SANTA MARIA IMMACOLATA, Brenno Useria, Italia
Paul Rogers, of Hertfordshire, is a wedding photographer for The Queen's House, London

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.

Getting ready in Saint Georges de Coulomier, Isère, a bride and a young flower girl in a white dress
At Westin Kierland Resort, a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony takes place as the bride shares a heartwarming kiss with her husband. Surrounded by joyful guests, the couple embraces tightly under the warm sunshine.
At Domaine des Templiers, the bride's daughter is disappointed for not catching the bride's bouquet during the ribbon game.
Bridesmaids having a blast, dancing under colorful DJ lights by a charming stone wall at Hunstmill Farm in Buckinghamshire
In Paris, Île-de-France, the groom, the bride, and their son step out of the ceremony under streamers held by guests
A picture of the bride's parents, who fell asleep at the wedding, on the couches in the lobby of a hotel in Nanping, Fujian
A pro photographer in Texas captured this award-winning image of a bride and groom dancing at their wedding reception. The groom lifts the bride onto his shoulder, illuminated by purple DJ lighting.
A pro photographer in Bordeaux captures a joyful moment at Domaine de Conseillant, where the bride's best friend catches the bouquet, resulting in a big hug and a happy smile.

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.

Capturing the essence of love, this award-winning photographer frames the couple's intimate setting through a doorway encased in ivy, revealing the beauty and romance of their Burlingame wedding reception.
A modern and contemporary award-winning wedding day image taken by a creative photographer captures the bride and groom sharing a joyful and fun embrace in a sunny grass field at the stunning Mill House Hotel reception venue.
In Walker's Point, Milwaukee, WI, a bride and groom pose before a beautiful ivy-covered wall. The talented wedding photographer captures a truly captivating and artistic image at this stunning venue.
Wedding detail image showcasing appetizers suspended above a floral centerpiece, captured from a higher perspective. Located at Little Pearl in Washington DC.
This award-winning photo captures the wedding dinner at Villa Catignano in Siena. The deep blue sky and string lights create a dramatic atmosphere, making it a truly artistic wedding image.
A bride and groom hold hands while walking along a trail on their wedding day. The photo captures Mt. Rainier in the background, adding a stunning touch to this wedding image.
At Villa Semenza in Lecco, Italia, the wedding photo captures the bride's beloved everyday shoes alongside the special pair she will wear on her wedding day.
A creative wedding photographer captured a stunning detail of the bride at La Seigneurie d’Alleray. The golden hour highlighted the bride's beautiful curves against a dark background, with her white dress illuminated by a spotlight.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - February 14th, 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.

Lifestyle couple portrait showcasing a creative and dynamic engagement session in Denver, CO. The couple is captured in motion, running together, with a composition that highlights their energy and spontaneity.
Creative lifestyle couple portrait at The Castelnau des Fieumarcon in Lectoure, Gers. The couple is seen holding each other near the wire hand rails. The photograph is captured in black and white.
Finca Vikingos in Santa Barbara, Heredia, Costa Rica serves as the backdrop for a captivating lifestyle couple portrait. Bathed in warm, golden hour light, the couple sits before a charming wooden door.
A couple's engagement portrait session at Cape Cod Airfield in Marstons Mills, Massachusetts, immortalizes their love and playfulness as they joyfully lift their two dogs into the air against the backdrop of a fading orange sunset sky.
Lifestyle couple portrait captured in Boulder, CO featuring a romantic stroll down a snow-coated trail against the backdrop of the majestic Flatirons, with hints of tall dry grass adding to the picturesque scene.
A couple about to wed had their engagement portrait session in Buckinghamshire, UK, with the stunning shot showcasing their silhouetted faces, embraced under a vibrant night sky.
Pre-wedding engagement portrait captured in San Francisco, California. This lifestyle couple portrait showcases the couple's love as they pose on a white couch at home, while their adorable furry pet gazes longingly in the foreground.
Lifestyle couple portrait captured at Castello Sforzesco Milano. The soon-to-be bride and groom stroll in the park, accompanied by their dog. Sunlight filtering through trees brings out vibrant green highlights in the scene.

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.

The emotion of the proud parents hugging their son, the groom, as he prepared for his wedding day at House of the Groom in Siderno, Reggio Calabria was so beautiful it was captured as a timeless moment by the photographer
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of the bride embracing one of her great friends during the getting ready process at Cote How, The Lake District
The photograph captured a beautiful and emotional moment as the bride held back tears while saying her vows outdoors at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI
The beautiful moment of a bride wiping away her mother's tears of joy at Help Beach, Fethiye, Mugla was captured by the wedding photographer
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of the bride joyously embracing her best friend on the dance floor of her San Francisco wedding reception
The tears of joy from the groom and ring bearer as the bride walked down the aisle at the Westin Playa Conchal in Guanacaste, Costa Rica were captured beautifully in the wedding photo
The wedding photo taken at West Haven, Connecticut captured a touching moment of a groom shedding tears as his mother lovingly does his hair for the big day
The brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo