Wedding Photos of Serene

The following “Serene” 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 “Serene” 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 wedding photograph taken in Ellsworth, Maine, showing the couple stealing a quiet session together by the lake just before a rain shower arrives.

Stealing a Quiet Moment: Idyllic Ellsworth Lakeside Wedding Before Rainstorm arrives

A serene winter wedding portrait captured in Chandolin, Valais, Switzerland, showcasing a couple in a tranquil snowy setting at their outdoor venue.

Winter Wonderland Nuptials: Chandolin, Valais, Switzerland - Breathtaking Portrait of Tranquil Snowy Setting

wedding couple Outdoor romance Chandolin Wedding Portrait happiness serene tranquil

Beautiful outdoor wedding portrait taken at Borgo Tre Rose Hotel in Montepulciano, showing a groom waiting for his bride as she refreshes, capturing a serene scene at the venue.

Groom Awaits Bride at Borgo Tre Rose: Serene Outdoor Wedding Portrait in Montepulciano

stairs romantic photography beautiful photo scene Montepulciano Wedding Photography sunshine

A romantic embrace on the water taxi in Venice's Grand Canal, a serene post-ceremony ride captured during a peaceful outdoor wedding portrait session.

Venetian Serenade: Love on the Water Taxi in Venice's Grand Canal Wedding Portrait Session

Grand Canal Venice romantic wedding portrait Italy Venice Grand Canal embrace Outdoor

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

joyful Acadia National Park romance celebration love cliffs wedding portrait

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

bride session serene love Calm nature Maine bride venue

A romantic wedding couple enjoys a serene canoe ride at sunset in Manchester, Maine, captured beautifully during their outdoor portrait session on their special day.

Serene Sunset Canoe Ride: Wedding Couple's Romantic Portrait Session in Manchester, Maine

marriage canoe sunset photography Maine romantic water love

A beautiful wedding detail at Villa Kerz's garden in Germany, featuring delicate gold and silver wedding bands elegantly placed on the bride's collarbone for a ring shot during a serene outdoor session.

Serene Ring Shot: Delicate Gold and Silver Bands Adorning Bride's Collarbone in Villa Kerz's Garden

Villa Kerz bands Outdoor silver bride session collarbone

Couple in love standing in a picturesque setting in Colchester, Essex on their wedding day. The couple's tender session is interrupted by a passing cyclist in the serene woods. A unique and memorable shot capturing a romantic and unexpected twist.

Unexpected Cyclist: Romantic Encounter in Serene Colchester Woods on Wedding Day

wedding woods interrupted romantic cyclist twist unique

A heartwarming session for a groom and his childhood horse, captured at a serene outdoor wedding venue in Gelderland, Netherlands, as they walk in perfect harmony, symbolizing their bond and unity on this special day.

Harmonious Harmony: Groom and Childhood Horse United at Serene Outdoor Wedding Venue in Gelderland

gelderland wedding photography Outdoor Gelderland wedding heartwarming NL horse

Beautiful couple portrait taken on their wedding day in Ibiza, featuring a stunning sunset backdrop with dramatic clouds, rocks, and a serene water view.

Stunning Ibiza Sunset: Captivating Wedding Portrait of a Beautiful Couple by Rocks and Water

backdrop wedding view clouds Beautiful couple rocks water

Before the bride's grand departure at Château St Roch, Martres-Tolosane, France - a serene moment captured in diagonal sunlight and shadows.

Ethereal Elegance: The Bride's Tranquil Morning at Château St Roch

shadows French photographer morning Elegance serene sunlight Martres-Tolosane

A couple embraces in a captivating pose, basking in the vibrant autumn hues surrounding them, creating a serene and romantic ambiance for a pre-wedding engagement portrait in Fort Collins, CO.

CAPTIVATING AUTUMN EMBRACE | A Serene Engagement Portrait in Fort Collins

basking Fort Collins Colorado engagements couple portrait session CO couple portrait serene Colorado engagements romantic ambiance

Lifestyle couple portrait with a breathtaking Colorado Mountain and serene waters of Bear Lake, RMNP CO, as a backdrop. Shot from a high angle, the couple is elegantly posed, beautifully lit by the photographer.

COLORADO MOUNTAIN MAJESTY | A Romantic Engagement Session at Bear Lake

Bear Lake Engagement Session Breathtaking Colorado Mountain Engaged Couple Photography mountain portrait serene Lifestyle couple portrait Colorado

Lifestyle couple portrait at Ravenna Wild Beach in Italy captures a hug amidst the serene evening backdrop. The symmetrical center-framed couple, minimalist aesthetic, and expansive sky add to its allure.

Ravishing Romance: Italy's Ravenna Wild Beach Serenades a Stylish Couple

aesthetic Engagement photography Ravenna engagements minimalist couple portrait session couple portrait photography Italy

Saint-Pardoux, France couple gracefully pose face to face during a lifestyle portrait session, while the serene water behind them beautifully reflects the bright sky. A truly captivating image captured expertly by the photographer.

SAINT-PARDOUX, FRANCE | An Exquisitely Captivating Portrait Session

captivating portrait session Haute-Vienne reflections profiles Saint Pardoux Saint Pardoux photography serene

Arapaho National Forest, CO: Lifestyle couple portrait showcasing the serene beauty of nature. The couple poses before a tranquil alpine lake, with the majestic mountains perfectly mirrored in the water.

Colorado Captivating Couple Portrait Amidst Majestic Mountains

mirrored photoshoot mountain couple portraits Captivating Colorado scenery Engagement session in the wilderness Arapaho National Forest photographer Nature couple portraits

In the picturesque Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, a radiant couple embraces tenderly against the backdrop of a serene alpine lake, capturing the essence of their wedding day.

Majestic Matrimony: A Stunning BW Wedding Portrait in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

Colorado wedding photography National Park weddings Alpine National Park portrait photography Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado

Sweeping the picturesque Colorado landscape, this award-winning wedding portrait captures two grooms embracing in a modern and stylish pose during a serene sunrise, creating a contemporary and heartfelt image.

Embracing Serene Sunrise: Stylish Colorado Grooms Capture Contemporary, Heartfelt Image

mountain scene Colorado landscape serene stylish pose contemporary image sunrise heartfelt

Fort Collins, Colorado: A serene moment captured as a new father soothes his baby during the wedding ceremony, strolling beneath the shade of the majestic pine trees

Fort Collins: A Serene Soothing Stroll Beneath Majestic Pines

serene shade Fort Collins weddings forest pine trees stroll wedding ceremony

Wedding photo captured at Burley Manor in Hampshire, UK. The bride and groom stand face-to-face, surrounded by grazing deer on a lush grassy landscape, bathed in gentle, low lighting.

Deer-kissed Eternity: Romantic Exchange Amidst Serene Hampshire Wilderness at Burley Manor

intimate Burley Manor uk wedding venue UK enchanting nature Hampshire elopement romantic outdoor ceremony

Romantic pre-wedding portrait of a couple at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe. The artistic Lake Tahoe wedding photographer captures the couple serenely embracing at a waterfall, creating a dreamy, blue-toned dusk scene.

Emerald Bay Engagement: Whispering Love at Lake Tahoe's Enchanting Waterfall

blue tones dusk Lake Tahoe serene Lake Tahoe engagement photography waterfalls Emerald Bay

A couple in Pingree Park, Colorado, poses for their engagement portrait while sitting on a bridge overlooking a serene and babbling brook

Romantic Engagement Portraits in Pingree Park, Colorado's Serene Natural Beauty

Pingree Park serene Colorado bridge natural beauty babbling brook romantic

In Praia do Francês, AL, there is a beautiful engagement portrait featuring a silhouette of a couple standing on the beach

Beautiful Engagement Portrait in Praia do Francês, AL: Silhouette of Couple on Beach

romantic Praia do Francês serene beach stunning beautiful alagoas couple

In the engagement portrait taken at Forêt du Buzet in France, the couple is captured sitting by the water next to a tree, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere

Capturing Serene Romance: Engagement Portrait at Forêt du Buzet in France

water Haute Garonne engagement session in nature trees serene Haute Garonne Foret du Buzet

Newlyweds embrace in the warm, backlit glow of the sunset at Villa Corsini Mezzo Monte, with the gentle rays of the sun illuminating the bride's face, creating an intimate and serene moment in Florence, Italy

Florence, Italy: Newlyweds Embrace in Serene Sunset Glow at Villa Corsini Mezzo Monte

Sun rays sunset glow glow intimate moment Florence Villa Corsini Mezzo Monte brides face

A sweet and serene Los Gatos engagement session with the groom to be saying I Love every minute being with you

Los Gatos engagement groom kiss pedestrians streets serene

engagement portrait in Venice, Italy | an engaged couple embraces at the water

A serene and quiet engagement portrait features an engaged couple embracing at the water's edge

serene Venice water Venice engagement photography venice engagement portrait engaged couple embraces

best Italian engagement photos - Milano Engagements

The engagement photo captured the couple embracing below towering green trees, with the natural setting adding a serene and romantic atmosphere to the image

serene Milan engagement photography romantic atmosphere Milano Engagement woods Milano trees

Tahoe City, Lake Tahoe engagement photo shoot | Walkin on the dock in deeps snow

The couple walks on the dock in deep snow during their lake engagement photo shoot, with the natural surroundings adding a serene and peaceful atmosphere to the scene

peaceful serene Lake Tahoe engagement photography lakeside engagement dock Tahoe City

Pages

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.