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 and Elopement Photography by Kate Hagerty
Wedding photography and couple portraits by Francesca Vitulano of Framelines
São Paulo wedding and elopement photography by Thiago Gimenes of Brazil
France Elopement and Wedding Photographer Hong-Phuc Bui, of Le Comptoir Photo
Wedding reportage and elopement photography by Clive Blair Photos
BW studio portrait of Toronto wedding photographer Thomas Campean, of Ontario Canada
Italy Couple Engagement Sessions Wedding and Elopement Photographer Carlo Bettuolo
New Delhi documentary-style wedding photographer Shivali Chopra - India WPJA Pro
Var wedding photography by Marion Deletraz of PACA France
Macaé wedding photography by Aline Prado of Rio de Janeiro
Intimate wedding photography by Wayne La
Wedding Photography by Jola Mulder
San Antonio wedding photography by Kelly Williams of the Texas WPJA
Lifestyle Portrait of Wedding and Elopement Photographer Morgan O'Neil
Lifestyle Portrait of Documentary Wedding Photographer Emily Fonseca, of Framed by Emily
Boulder wedding and elopement photography by Jason Johnson of the CO WPJA
Portrait of Nottinghamshire elopement and wedding photographer Martin Makowski, of United Kingdom England East Midlands

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

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...

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...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

Ankita Asthana, of Maharashtra, is a wedding photographer for
Father, daughter, bride, wedding

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.

Groomsmen bond with his son while the groom stands in the background during a wedding in St Albans, England
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Reception Venue: Bride tasting desserts from the dessert table while the groom playfully takes lactaid pills before joining in
At The Estate at River Run in Maidens, VA, two eager dogs on leashes sniff the adorable toddler flower girl
Wedding day picture at Le Clos de l'Orangerie in Rosny-sur-Seine, France - a sentimental moment as the groom shares a cigar with his cousin and uncle. A heartwarming family connection on this special day.
In the picturesque setting of Pinecrest, CA, under the dappled sunlight of the trees, a child is seen crouching in the dirt, seemingly bored, at the back of a wedding ceremony.
At Villa Bianca in Rovellasca, Italy, the newlyweds are seen outside, holding hands over their heads and getting ready to kick off the wedding reception with a celebratory toast.
Friends of the bride and groom jump and rejoice while dancing at Baronesse Tacco in San Floriano del Collio, Gorizia, Italy
In this photo taken at the old vicarage in Dorset, UK, the Groom and Groomsmen enter the bouncy white room, with the groom struggling to keep his balance

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.

In an impressive display of artistry, the talented photographer captured a close-up shot at Thelma Hut in Silverton, CO. The image reveals the bride as she carefully prepares her snowboard boots for her unique backcountry wedding ceremony.
Bosphorus Palace İstanbul sets the stage for an award-winning wedding day detail - meticulously capturing the bride's shoes and their enchanting reflection, beautifully framed by warm tones and elegant white window curtains.
Bride and groom embrace in a lush garden at Carmen de los Mártires, Granada, Spain. The romantic setting adds to the beauty of this award-winning wedding day portrait.
An award-winning image captured by a creative wedding photographer showcases the intricate details of wedding rings set against the vibrant backdrop of La ferme du moulin, highlighting the deep, rich hues of the autumnal scene.
An image captured in black and white as the bride and groom strike a pose, embracing the enchanting backdrop of Nauyaca Waterfalls in Costa Rica.
The award-winning wedding photographer captured this stunning black and white symmetrical portrait of the bride and groom during their wedding reception at a restaurant terrace in Paris, France.
A striking wedding photo capturing intricate tattoos and refreshing beverages in a soft light setting at Beijing Sanlitun Paul Restaurant in Beijing.
Wedding portrait taken in Mignaloux Beauvoir, Poitiers. It portrays the bride recently seated in the car, capturing the start of her journey into married life.

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.

A couple's engagement portrait in Martigny showcases their affectionate embrace near the minimalist sculpture, cleverly emphasizing the vibrant red color through artistic perspective.
A couple about to get married, tenderly holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes, was captured during their engagement portrait session at Nymans Estate in the United Kingdom.
A couple about to get married pose on Hunger Mountain in Vermont, walking the summit in shorts and hiking shoes, for a sporty look while enjoying the low sun and picturesque view.
Beautiful and creative, this lifestyle couple portrait at Grays' Beach in Yarmouth Port, MA captures a couple gazing into each other's eyes on a boardwalk. The vivid sunset colors the sky, and leading lines of the handrail create a great composition.
A picturesque couple's portrait captured in Estes Park, Co. The setting of the breathtaking mountains provides a stunning backdrop as the newly-engaged couple share an intimate pose, with him standing behind her and her gaze fixed on him.
Bear Lake, RMNP CO: A breathtaking pre-wedding engagement portrait captures a couple illuminated by the photographer's skillful lighting. Shot from a high angle, the stunning backdrop of flat water adds to the enchantment.
Engaging black and white lifestyle couple portrait taken in the town of Albi, France. The photo showcases the couple sitting on steps, framed symmetrically, amidst repeating lines, expertly captured by the photographer.
Lifestyle couple portrait at Mount Falcon Trailhead: A couple gazes intently into each other's eyes amidst a sunset backdrop, enveloped by the enchanting sight of small, luminous bugs swirling around them. The composition is left of center-framed.

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 photographer captured a beautiful moment at Montlouis sur Loire, as the two mothers of the couple tearfully embraced outdoors
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
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 photographer captured the emotional moment of the bride picking up her friend in a foggy embrace on the dance floor of her Montpellier wedding
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 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 brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo
The photographer captured a beautiful and emotional moment as a Bari bride lovingly greeted her ailing grandmother, who was unfortunately unable to join the celebration of her special day