Wedding Photos of Bridal

The following “Bridal” images were created by documentary wedding photographers from the WPJA, who regularly submit their best candid moments, artistic portraits, details, and scene setters for review by our WPJA competition judges.

WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS + ARTISTIC PORTRAITS & DETAILS + ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

Some of the “Bridal” marriage photography samples below may have come from the getting ready events, the actual wedding ceremony, the reception after-party, an engagement session with the couple, or possibly be artistic portraits or detail shots.

FINE ART WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: Our Artistic Guild award winners take a more creative approach to wedding day Portraits and use their innovative skills to capture the Details of each couple’s special day. The Artistic Guild’s Scene Setters are some of the most notable and breathtaking from within the artistic WPJA contest categories. Playing with light and shadow, special effects, and post-production editing, these images embrace the artistic component of wedding photography.

PRE-WEDDING ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY: The story of every couple starts long before the wedding day, and the engagement marks one of the most important milestones in their story. Engaged couples often want to celebrate the occasion and announce their upcoming wedding with a photoshoot. Pre-wedding portraits of an engaged couple can be just as moving and compelling as the images taken on the wedding day. Engagement portraits can win a Diamond Award, an exclusive WPJA award whose winner is selected from the best engagement photography in the world.

Emotional moment between two bridesmaids holding hands, witnessing their friend's wedding at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol, RI USA.

Tender Bridesmaid Bond: Mount Hope Farm Wedding in Bristol, RI USA Sparks Emotional Unity

A captivating black and white detail on a wedding day at Villa Contarini Giovanelli Venier - Padua, Italy, featuring a bride elegantly ascending a staircase in a dreamy backlight, accentuating the intricate details of her dress.

Enchanting Bridal Staircase at Villa Contarini Giovanelli Venier - Padua, Italy: A Timeless Moment

dress Villa Contarini Giovanelli Venier timeless black and white Backlight detail reception venue

A beautiful bridal portrait captured on the wedding day in England, London-Southfield. The bride's reflection is juxtaposed with a floral framed artwork.

Elegant Bridal Reflection Amidst Floral Art: London-Southfield Wedding Day Portrait

elegant wedding photo elegant juxtaposed beautiful portrait london bride England

A bride is getting dressed with the help of two assistants on her wedding day at the elegant Château de Caumont, captured in a nostalgic black and white style.

Elegant Bridal Preparations: Château de Caumont, Captured in Nostalgic Black and White Glamour

Chateau help assistants Château de Caumont getting ready Gers bride

A vintage black and white photo captured at Lorient Hail Salon during bride's hair preparations on her wedding day, featuring multiple mirrors reflecting.

Mirrors of Elegance: Bride's Hair Preparations at Lorient Hail Salon, Vintage Black and White Photo

vintage photo classic bw Wedding wedding photo salon Bride Photo black white photo

A beautiful moment frozen in time as the bride gets ready with help from her stylist on her wedding day at the venue in Rho, Milan, Italy.

Captivating Bride: Getting Ready with Stylist in Rho, Milan, Italy Wedding Venue

romantic Milan wedding photography bridal stylist Rho emotional candid

A candid moment captured during a wedding ceremony at the Santa Rita Church in Milan, Italy, as a father lovingly removes his daughter's bridal veil at the altar in a serene and heartfelt scene.

Father's Tender Touch: Captivating Wedding Moment at Santa Rita Church in Milan, Italy

special moment candid church wedding photo Santa Rita Church serene daughter love

In Oud-Beijerland, the Netherlands, an intimate moment unfolds as the bride is helped into her dress by a friend, captured in a behind-the-scenes shot on the wedding day at the venue.

Capturing the Bride: A Tender Moment in Oud-Beijerland, Netherlands on Wedding Day Behind-the-Scenes

Zuid Holland dress friend wedding day Netherlands venue Oud Beijerland Wedding Photographer

A candid moment from a wedding at Esseborne Manor Hotel in Andover, Hampshire, UK, where the bride attentively checks on arriving guests as her friend helps her with her shoe, captured in a behind-the-scenes documentary style.

The Bride's Thoughtful Act: A Candid Wedding Moment at Esseborne Manor Hotel, Andover, Hampshire

United Kingdom friend bride wedding day documentary Andover UK Hampshire wedding photography candid moment

A newlywed couple holds hands while being showered with confetti at their fusion wedding, captured in a beautifully backlit outdoor shot at Brympton House in Somerset, UK.

UK Newlyweds Grin as They Tackle a Colorful Shower on Their Big Day

outdoor wedding Somerset marriage fusion union bridal Somerset United Kingdom

UK Newlyweds Grin as They Tackle a Colorful Shower on Their Big Day

Brympton House United Kingdom Somerset United Kingdom UK newlyweds UK Newlyweds ceremony confetti

Newlywed couple at a wedding at Chateau de la Ripaille in Haute Savoie, with flower petals swirling elegantly around them as they exit.

Elegant Elopement: A Chateau de la Ripaille Romance

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Bride at Casa Playitas in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, sharing an emotional first look with the important women in her life before the wedding ceremony.

Moments of Love: A Bride's First Look at Casa Playitas, Costa Rica

gown bride Manuel Antonio destination Stylish location Casa Playitas bride tweaks Costa Rican town

In an award-winning image, a wedding photographer captures a breathtaking bridal portrait at the picturesque Domaine de Belfonds. The stunning bride holds her bouquet, near a window in a room filled with natural light.

Domaine de Belfonds: Blooming Beauty Beside Sunlit Window Bliss

Domaine de Belfonds beauty window bride Bride Portrait room sunlit

Bride flaunts her stylish custom Jordan shoes amidst the backdrop of Sterling Ridge Resort in Vermont, captured by the award-winning artistic wedding day photographer.

Sterling Ridge Resort in Vermont: Artistic Wedding Day Visions Unveiled

tight shot Vermont nature outside Artful Vermont Artistic Details wife

Capturing the serene anticipation of the bride, this award-winning detail image by a modern wedding photographer showcases the intricacy of the scene at Bath Registry Office, as she awaits her ceremony on a wooden bench.

Bath Registry Office: Serene Bride Anticipation on Wooden Bench

Artful anticipation wife bouquet bridal flowers Bath Artistic Details

Capturing the scene with exquisite detail, the photographer beautifully frames the bride as she applies her vibrant red lipstick, enhancing the stunning red hues of the luxurious British Pullman train.

Luxurious British Pullman Train: Capturing Exquisite Detail of Vibrant Bride

getting ready wedding preparations London Artistic Details London before ceremony British Pullman Train bride

Capturing timeless elegance, this award-winning portrait showcases the bride gracefully reclining on a vintage sofa at Lincoln's Cottage, Washington DC, showcasing her bouquet in a stunning black and white composition.

Vintage Sophistication: A Timeless Bride at Lincoln's Cottage, Washington DC

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At Tacaro Estate, an artistic wedding photographer captured the intricate scene when the bride gracefully slips into her heels, framed by a collection of vintage typewriters. A stunning black and white image full of elegant details.

Graceful Steps: Vintage Typewriters Frame Bride's Heel Switch at Tacaro Estate

Maryland Artful artistic wedding detail shots elegant details black and white tight shot Maryland Artistic Details

An award-winning image captures the scene at Richmond Hill Hotel, Surrey, England, where a bridesmaid in a green dress lovingly helps the bride put on her shoes, emphasizing the close bond and attention to detail.

Enchanting Union: Bridesmaid's Green Dress Highlights Bond at Richmond Hill

tight shot England bride Artful indoor indoors artistic wedding detail shots

In this award-winning photograph, the stylish and contemporary bride strikes a pose within the boat house at The Ravenswood reception venue in Sussex, UK.

Enchanting Elegance: A Modern Bride Poses in Historic Sussex Venue

Sussex wife black and white creative portrait UK Artful bridal

An artistic wedding photographer captures a unique detail shot as the Hainaut bride carefully hides the wedding rings in her bra behind her dress, adding a touch of intrigue and secrecy to the special day.

Hidden Treasures: An Artistic Capture of Hainaut's Secret Wedding Rings

ring detail hiding rings Hainaut Bride bridal gown Hainaut wife artistic wedding detail shots

Capturing the bride's anticipation at Millbridge Court in Surrey, this award-winning image showcases the intricate details of an old wedding photo broach adorning her bouquet.

Anticipation at Millbridge Court: A Captivating Wedding Broach Bouquet

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Taken by an artistic wedding photographer at Careys Manor in Hampshire, image displays the stunning gold shoes worn by bridesmaids, alongside the bride. The warm tones and tight composition showcase the intricate details of the dresses and shoes.

Golden elegance: Bridesmaids' gilded shoes shine in Hampshire's Careys Manor

brides friends nature Careys Manor Artful grass gold shoes pasture

Capturing the timeless elegance, the bride graces the steps of the Library of Congress in her stunning Lazaro silver gown - a portrait that blends artistry and romance seamlessly.

Timeless Elegance: The Bride's Library of Congress Portrait shines beautifully

bride Artful bridal Library of Congress sitting on steps outside wife

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.

Snowy Vows: A Bride's Artful Preparation at Thelma Hut, CO

bridal shoes boots bw Artful bride monochrome

A picturesque mountain backdrop sets the stage for a stunning winter bridal portrait as the bride embraces the ethereal beauty of her wedding day in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Enchanting Winter Bride: Fort Collins, Colorado

outside Artful Artsy mountain range bridal hills ethereal beauty

In this award-winning image, a modern bride arrives at her ceremony in Ardeche. Captured in black and white, the image showcases the contemporary aesthetic of the wedding day, with reflective glass adding a touch of artistry.

Bride's Modern Moment: An Artistic Arrival in Ardeche's Timeless Beauty

creative portrait artistic portrait sessions bw bride bridal monochrome flowers

In an award-winning photo captured by an artistic wedding photographer at Trieste, Italy, the bride's hand delicately touches her necklace, beautifully illuminated by the sunlight, creating a mesmerizing and detailed image.

Trieste Illumination: A Mesmerizing Image of a Delicate Bridal Touch

illuminated Artful Trieste Artistic Details indoors wife in a building tight shot

Capturing the anticipation and joy of the bride, this award-winning image showcases a close-up of her hand and flowers she leaves the church in Lisbon, Portugal. The bouquet held tightly inside the car, accompanied by vibrant confetti on the ground.

Blooming Bliss: Bride's Hand and Bouquet amidst Lisbon Celebration

brides hand outdoors Artful brides flowers transportation auto wife

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WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.