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Wedding Photos of Happiness

For Couples / Wedding Photos of Happiness

The following “Happiness” 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 “Happiness” 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.

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A picture of a happy couple on their wedding day in Málaga, Spain. The bride and groom are standing under her veil by the sea, with smiles on their faces, against a backdrop of a blue sky.
Sparkling Love: Newlyweds Embracing under Veil by Sea in Málaga, Spain, Against Blue Sky
veilMalagaMalaga wedding portraitsmilesmarriageromancebride
A charming couple dances joyfully on their wedding day in the urban streets of Cazorla, Jaén, Spain, with a vibrant spray painted mural serving as a colorful backdrop. The couple exudes happiness and love in this lively image.
Charmed Couple's Street Dance: Vibrant Love in Cazorla, Jaén, Spain's Urban Mural Fête
muralWedding DancelivelyurbanhappinessCazorla Wedding PortraitJaén
A heartwarming moment is captured during a wedding ceremony as the couple exchanges vows and rings, promising a lifetime of love and warmth in Shanghai, China.
Exchanging Vows: A Heartwarming Wedding Moment in Shanghai, China
Shanghaiemotionsmarriagelovewedding vowsCeremony Momentshappiness
A couple poses for a portrait on their wedding day amidst the natural beauty of Acadia National Park. In the background, a vibrant rainbow adds a pop of color to the serene and picturesque setting.
Breathtaking Rainbow: Newlyweds Embrace in Acadia National Park's Serene Perfection
Colorjoyfulcelebrationcliffsrainbowhappinessrocks
Bride walks into the ocean at French's Point in Maine during a serene wedding day portrait session at the outdoor venue under the sun.
Serene Ocean Stroll: Bride at French's Point Venue in Maine, Sunlit Wedding Portrait Session
seaStockton SpringsOutdoorMaine brideserenesunhappiness
Guests joyfully celebrating at a wedding reception in Villa Santorini, Brazil, captured through nostalgic black and white style.
Nostalgic Elegance: Guests Celebrating a Wedding in Villa Santorini, Brazil in Classic Black & White
black and whiteVilla Santoriniwedding celebrationeventmemoriesguestsguys
A beautiful wedding image of a newlywed couple in Dublin. The bride and groom sit on a small bench, gazing out at the breathtaking Irish landscape. This image captures the love and joy of their special day against a backdrop of lush green grass and a s
Dublin Newlyweds: Love and Joy Amidst Breathtaking Irish Landscape and Stunning Green Grass Backdrop
groomhappinessDublinspecial dayphotographylandscapelove
A beautiful couple on their wedding day in Dublin, Ireland. They stand in front of a statue of Jesus, his hands extended over them in blessing. Perfectly captured just after the ceremony, this stunning image radiates love, faith, and the start of a union.
Blessed Love: Wedding Day Bliss in Dublin, Ireland Under Jesus' Watchful Eyes
statueDublin wedding photographyportraitfaithceremonyromancecherish
A beautiful bride gazes down at her wedding guests from a scenic balcony at the Honig Fabriek in Nijmegen, captured in this wedding day photograph.
Gazing From The Balcony: A Bride's Moment At Honig Fabriek In Nijmegen
NijmegenweddinggownBluebeautiful brideGelderlandNijmegen bride
Newlywed couple sitting under crystal chandeliers at their wedding reception in Gelderland, Netherlands. The bride and groom are enjoying a romantic minute together at the elegant restaurant.
Romantic Newlyweds Under Crystal Chandeliers: Wedding Bliss in Gelderland, Netherlands
bridegroomhappinessromanticsittingloveGelderland Reception Photography
A romantic silhouetted wedding photo of a couple embracing at sunset in Mexico, with palm fronds beside them.
Romantic Sunset Embrace: Couple Silhouetted in Mexico with Palm Fronds at Wedding Reception
marriagesilhouettedlovehappinessbeside each otherpalm frondsCommitment
Lovely moment on the wedding day in Land van Es, Strijen, the Netherlands as the bride proudly shows her wedding ring while the groom receives a heartfelt hug.
Embracing Love: Bride Reveals Wedding Ring as Groom Receives Heartfelt Hug in Strijen, Netherlands
NetherlandshumorcelebrationmarriageLand van Esbeautifulemotion
A sparkler moment captured at a night wedding, showcasing the joy and excitement of the newlyweds as they begin their journey into married life, all set against the beautiful backdrop of Igreja Católica Feitoria in São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul.
Sparkling Joy: Newlyweds' Nighttime Celebration at Igreja Católica Feitoria in São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul
beautifulNighthappinessIgreja Católica Feitoriaromanceexitexcitement
A stunning wedding portrait capturing the bride and groom under the divine gaze at Paroquia Nossa Senhora do Montserrat. This enchanting image encapsulates the love and joy of their special day.
Divine Love: Bride and Groom at Paroquia Nossa Senhora do Montserrat in Enchanting Portrait
wedding portraitcapturebridehappinessstatuedayjoy
Groom sheds a tear on his dad's shoulder at Thorpe Garden wedding venue in Tamworth, Staffordshire, England, as emotions of the day overwhelm him, signaling a heartwarming moment of love and happiness.
Groom's Dad Brings the Waterworks at Thorpe Garden Wedding in Staffordshire
overwhelmingEnglandloveStaffordshireDadWaterworksshoulder
Newlyweds emerge from the beautiful Rhône church, joyfully enveloped by a shower of delicate flower petals as they begin their married life together.
Petals of Happiness: A Rhône Church Wedding
tossedRhône newlywedschurch exitexitlovemarriageChurch wedding
In Delden, Netherlands, a heartwarming image captures the bride and groom reflecting in a mirror as parents stand near them, sharing smiles and happiness
Delden's Reflection of Love: A Heartwarming Wedding Day Moment
parentslove reflectionbride and groomnl wedding photographyDelden photographyOverijsselhappiness
At Villa Ekaterina, the groom is joyfully tossed into the air by his friends on his wedding day. A moment of celebration and happiness captured in a beautiful photo.
Villa Ekaterina: Joyful Toss, A Moment of Celebration and Happiness
happinesspartyliftedJoyful Tossdance floorgroomBulgaria
A WPJA wedding photographer captured a joyful multicultural engagement portrait session in Bangalore, India, where both individuals were beaming with happiness
Capturing the Joyful Fusion of Love: A Multicultural Engagement Portrait in Bangalore, India
multiculturalBangalore PreWedding PhotographyhappinessBangaloreIndiajoyful couple
A documentary wedding photographer at the Domaine de Tourieux captured this WPJA Honor Award-winning image. The photo shows the bride hanging her dad's buttonhole flower, while the family looks on with happiness in the background.
Bride Pins Dad's Buttonhole Flower: Joyful Family Witnessed at Domaine de Tourieux
happinessSavigny weddingsDomaine de Tourieuxbuttonhole flowerRhone BridefamilyFrance wedding photography
In this black and white image captured by a Samui wedding photographer in Thailand, the bride can be seen tearfully embracing the groom, expressing pure happiness on their special day.
Thailand's Blissful Embrace: A Tearful Wedding Day Embrace Filled with Pure Happiness Captured by Samui Wedding Photographer
emotionblack and whitehappinessThailandThailand Documentary Wedding PhotographySamuitearful embrace
They decided to commemorate their engagement with a stunning portrait taken in Saratoga, capturing their love and happiness for eternity
Capturing Eternal Love and Happiness: Stunning Engagement Portrait in Saratoga
portrait in SaratogaSaratogaloveeternal lovehappinesssaratoga engagementSaratoga engagement portrait
A wedding couple is captured in a portrait at Domaine de la Métairie du château, as the bride and groom share a kiss beneath a soaring veil
Domaine de la Métairie du château: Romantic Wedding Couple Captured in Portrait with Soaring Veil
Wedding Photo SessionhappinessDestination Weddingbeautiful settingPicture PerfectloveHaute-Garonne
A special engagement with a talented photographer at the beautiful Sinan Mansions, Shanghai, China, showcasing the traditional symbol of double happiness (囍), commonly associated with weddings and engagements
Sinan Mansions in Shanghai, China: Capturing the Symbol of Double Happiness through Photography
double happinesssmilesShanghaihappinessChinese symbolChinakiss on cheek
At Oaks Farm wedding venue in Croydon, Surrey, England, the newlyweds were elated with joy during the reception speeches
The couple were delighted during the speeches at Oaks Farm, Croydon, Surrey, England
Croydonguestshappinessnewlywedsmarriagemarrylove
At a home in Florissant, Colorado, a beautiful image of the bride getting ready for her wedding day was captured while one of her bridesmaids shed tears of joy upon seeing her dressed for the ceremony
A picture of the bride in Florissant, Colorado preparing for her wedding brought tears of joy from a bridesmaid
bridal preparationColoradojoyous occasiongetting readybridesmaidmarriage ceremonybride
In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the newlywed's twin daughters have an emotional breakdown after the ceremony and they hug each other and cry of happiness
In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, twin daughters of newlyweds hug and cry happily after ceremony
happinessdaughtersTennesseetwinsGatlinburgemotional breakdowncrying
The happy couple at District Winery, Washington DC, USA, can be seen joyfully cutting the tall cake, laughing with big smiles
At District Winery, Washington DC, USA, the couple can be seen joyfully cutting the cake, smiling
happinessDC wedding photographycutting caketall cakebig smilesWashington DCDistrict Winery
The newly engaged couple were glowing with happiness at their prewedding photoshoot in the majestic Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco
At the majestic Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, the newly engaged couple glowed with joyous happiness
Palace of Fine ArtsSan Francisco coupleSan FranciscoSan Francisco engagement photographyhappiness
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of double happiness, with the bride giving a sweet touch on the cheek and a loving hug from behind at Strabrechtse Hoeve Mierlo
At Strabrechtse Hoeve Mierlo, a sweet touch on the cheek and a loving hug from behind showed the emotion of double happiness for the bride
touching cheekStrabrechtse Hoeveblack and whiteMierloMierlo Wedding Photographerloving hughappiness

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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.