Wedding Photos of Bride

The following “Bride” 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 “Bride” 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.

A candid behind-the-scenes shot from a wedding at a Vosges, France venue, showing the bride getting her makeup done in a mirror.

Bride's Beauty Prep: Vosges Venue Reflections Capture Candid Makeup Moment Before France Wedding

In Sarrebourg, France, a touching moment captured on the wedding day as the bride's daughter playfully experiments with makeup during a behind-the-scenes documentary shot at the venue.

Sarrebourg, France: Bride's Daughter's Playful Makeup Adventure, Behind-The-Scenes Wedding Day Documentary Shot

makeup Documentary Grand Est experimentation wedding day Sarrebourg brides daughter

Grandpa lovingly kisses the bride's forehead as they dance at the reception venue in Ohio.

Grandpa's Tender Kiss: A Heartfelt Moment at an Ohio Wedding Reception Venue

Ohio OH Wedding day Grandpa kisses Ohio Reception Venue dance heartfelt moment bride

In Virginia at Poplar Springs Manor in Warrenton, the bride playfully smashes cake into the groom's face, causing it to fall off as they both share a joyous laugh.

Fun Fiasco: Bride's Cake Smash Sends Groom's Plan Crumbling, Laughter Fills the Room

bride Virginia groom cake joyous laugh Poplar Springs Manor cake smash

A close-up image capturing the bride getting her makeup done at Windows on the Lake in Lake Ronkonkoma, NY.

Bride Beautified by Brushes at Windows on the Lake in Lake Ronkonkoma

New York - Long Island brushes Getting makeup Windows on the Lake close up image beauty Lake Ronkonkoma

A black and white image capturing the bride and groom blessing their rings during their elopement ceremony at the Harbor House Inn in Elk, California, with the beautiful ocean view in the background.

Keeping It Ringal: Bride and Groom Blessing Rings at Oceanfront Elopement in California

elopement ceremony Ocean view Pacific Ocean California - Northern groom blessing rings Harbor House Inn ocean

At the lovely Village Hall in Blackpool, UK, a joyful bride is captured during her reception receiving a warm hug from a female friend.

GIDDY BRIDE GETS A SQUEEZE FROM BESTIE AT VILLAGE HALL WEDDING RECEPTION

United Kingdom village hall UK Blackpool friends Blackpool wedding venue Blackpool reception party

A bride tenderly comforts her emotional groom in the natural beauty of Gray's Crossing, Truckee CA, surrounded by lush green grass and shade trees on a sunny day.

Emotional Groom Finds Comfort in Bride's Love in Truckee

comfort California - Northern love emotional shade trees grass natural beauty

Wedding couple in Köln relax in a convertible cabriolet following their civil ceremony; the groom loosens his shirt collar as the bride playfully sips champagne straight from the bottle.

Cologne Cabriolet Capers: Newlyweds Cruise in Style After Saying "I Do" in City

Cabriolet Cologne Wedding bride groom Koln sips convertible

At Adobe Lodge, Santa Clara University, California, the bride lovingly embraces her mother after she delivers a touching speech, leaving the emotional groom visibly moved by her heartfelt words.

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE BRINGS TEARS TO GROOM'S EYES WITH TOUCHING SPEECH

touching speech emotional groom groom embraces eyes California - Northern tears

Bride sheds a tear while praying with groom at Aurora Farms wedding ceremony, captured between groomsmen's shoulders.

Aurora Farms Wedding: Bride's Tearful Prayers Captured Amidst Groomsmen's Shoulders

groomsmen SC wedding photographer marriage photos bride SC weddings captured Aurora Farms

At a private home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, a clown on stilts leads the beaming bride through the reception, creating a whimsical and unforgettable moment.

CLOWN ON STILTS LEADS BRIDE: WHIMSICAL WEDDING RECEPTION IN SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

mexico wedding photographer Private home unforgettable bride reception Mexico marriage photos San Miguel de Allende

In the streets of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, a loving moment unfolds as the bride's grandmother helps her keep her dress dry on the way to the bridal car.

Bulgarian Grandma's Bridal Car Dash: Dress Rescue in Plovdiv Street

dry Plovdiv wedding photographer bride Bulgaria grandmother Plovdiv weddings Plovdiv

A bride joyfully breaks the glass during a Jewish ceremony in Sterling Ridge, Vermont, creating a meaningful and festive moment captured beautifully by the wedding photographer.

BRIDE SHATTERS GLASS: Jewish wedding tradition in Sterling Ridge, Vermont

Bride joyfully Jewish ceremony Sterling Ridge Vermont festive moment Sterling Ridge outdoor ceremony breaks the glass

Bridesmaids, groomsmen, bride, and groom having fun playing a game of flip cup at Sugarbush Resort in Vermont before the reception.

Wedding Crew Battle: Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Bride, and Groom Face Off in Flip Cup!

Wedding Crew red cups.bridesmaids groom Vermont marriage photos Flip Cup groomsmen

In Pennsylvania, at Springwood Reception Venue in Verona, the groom is comforted by the bride during their emotional first dance as husband and wife.

Pennsylvania Groom Finds Serene Support in Bride's Arms at Verona Venue

pennsylvania weddings Verona weddings comforted serene support Pennsylvania first dance bride

Bridal party members gather around the bride as the wind blows during a lakeside ceremony at North Shore House in New Jersey.

Windswept Wedding: Bridal Party Surrounds at New Jersey Ceremony

outdoor ceremony bride water North Shore House New Jersey marriage photos wind New Jersey Weddings

A black and white image captures a bride in Entre-deux-Guiers, Isère, getting ready for the city hall ceremony with a cigarette in her mouth and a Coke bottle in hand.

THE BRIDE'S LAST MINUTE FIXES: CIGARETTE IN MOUTH, COKE IN HAND BEFORE 'I DO'

cigarette Entre deux Guiers weddings Isere marriage image bw city hall ceremony fixes

In the City Hall of Utrecht, a seated bride wearing a white gown is guided to sign in by a woman with a pointing stick, showcasing social distancing.

Seated Bride at Utrecht City Hall: Distanced Signing with Pointer Stick

Utrecht City Hall of Utrecht Utrecht marriage image white gown woman Social Distancing utrecht weddings

A black and white wedding photo captures a toddler girl at home in Noord Holland, looking unsure about her dress choice next to the bride.

Toddler's indecision in Noord Holland home wedding photo next to bride

bw Home wedding photo bride Netherlands Children Noord Holland photographer toddler

A black and white photo of the bride on the outdoor patio at home in Noord Holland, waiting for her ride to the ceremony.

Bride in BW: Outdoor Patio Charm, Noord Holland Home

Noord Holland bride Waiting outdoor patio weddings in Noord Holland black and white photo bride Netherlands

In Sha Tin, Hong Kong, the bride sneaks a peek at her groom as he serenades her with a song before their first meeting on their wedding day.

Sneak Peek: Bride Surprises Groom with a Pre-wedding Serenade in Hong Kong

Sha Tin photographer musician hong kong wedding photographer playing music Sha Tin Hong Kong wedding Sneak Peek

At Chateau des Monthairons in Meuse, the bride is seen getting ready as her bridesmaids assist her in final preparations for the wedding day.

Chateau Chic: Bride and Bridesmaids Prepare for Wedding Day at Chateau des Monthairons

Chateau des Monthairons Meuse Photographer bride getting ready bride wedding day preparations Meuse weddings

Chateau Chic: Bride and Bridesmaids Prepare for Wedding Day at Chateau des Monthairons

wedding photographer Meuse weddings wedding day preparations bridesmaids bride Chateau des Monthairons Meuse Photographer

A black and white shot capturing the intense emotions after the bride throws her bouquet at Kyrenia The House and The Garden in Cyprus.

KYRENIA CATCHER IN BLACK AND WHITE, EMOTIONAL BOUQUET TOSS WEDDING VIBES

Kyrenia Kyrenia The House and The Garden bouquet toss Cyprus wedding photographer action Cyprus Cyprus Photographer

A bride surrounded by friends joyfully gets into dancing at Notley Abbey in Buckinghamshire, holding her dress up as they celebrate together.

Dancing Queen: Bride Twirls with Friends at Notley Abbey Wedding Celebration in Buckinghamshire

Notley Abbey wedding photographer bride celebrate Bride Twirls Notley Abbey photographer surrounded friends

A joyful bride holding a champagne glass on the right, surrounded by guests laughing as a baby is passed from a woman to an older man, while another child covers their ears.

Giggles Galore: Bride, Babes, and Bubbly - A Wedding Celebration

Child Covers Ears woman joyful wedding celebration champagne glass Baby Passed laughing

Joyful moment captured at Langar Hall, Nottingham, UK, as guests chuckle at the bride trying to remove confetti from her dress, creating a heartwarming scene.

Delightful Laughter at Langar Hall: Bride's Confetti Struggle Makes a Funny Wedding Memory

white gown Wedding Memory United Kingdom beautiful bride Nottinghamshire wedding photographer Nottinghamshire weddings Struggle

Bride joyfully tosses her bouquet under the marquee in The Walled Garden, Nottingham, UK, captured from a low angle, adding excitement and anticipation to the festive moment.

Bride Throws Bouquet at The Walled Garden in Nottingham, UK

Nottingham Wedding Photographer tosses The Walled Garden Nottingham Nottingham weddings low angle Nottinghamshire bride

Newlywed couple on a boat taxi ride in Venice's Grand Canal, with the groom serenading the bride after the ceremony - a romantic moment captured by the wedding photographer.

Venice Vows: Groom Croons to Bride on Boat in Grand Canal - Wedding Serenade Shot

Grand Canal Venice Italian photographer Veneto Boat taxi ride Venice Venice Vows Newlywed couple

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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.