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.

Italy wedding and elopement photography by Alessandro Di Noia
Europe weddings, engagements and elopement pictures by Marco Tartaglia
Couple Portraits and Wedding Photography by Tsvetelina Deliyska
Sergio Russo elopement and wedding photography from the studio ParamountPics
UK wedding reportage photography by Elodie Ruelleux-Dagorne
Lifestyle Portrait of BreeAnna Lasher, a Seattle WA Wedding Photographer
Studio portrait of John Ryan, wedding photographer of J&J Studios, LLC
San Antonio wedding photography by Kelly Williams of the Texas WPJA
Ryan Devereux offers reportage wedding photography to couples getting married in Ireland
Navarre wedding photography by Matt Kolf in Spain
Engagement, elopements and wedding photography by Sujith Kumar of Incognito frames
Wedding and elopement photography by Peter Rowen
Destination wedding photography by Inokss Ina
Couple engagement portrait sessions + wedding and elopement photography by Xiang Qi of Jian Impression
Mayenne elopement and documentary wedding photography by Anne Russocki of Isere Pays de la Loire France
Lifestyle portrait of Rheinland-Pfalz wedding photographer Stephanie Schneider-Kieslich of Germany
Intimate wedding photography by Wayne La
Tracey Buyce Wedding Images

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

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...

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...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

William Lambelet, of , is a wedding photographer for
Toni Miranda, of Alicante, is a wedding photographer for alcoy

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.

A heartfelt moment captured in Zenderen, Netherlands as kids surround the bride and groom; one girl is in tears, while another puts on a sad face, while their dad holds another child
At Hasselt, Limburg, the bride and her bridal party, accompanied by little girls, are getting ready at home. The photo captures the beautiful scene on the patio deck.
Bride and groom share their first dance on the charming patio at Cascina Montena, Zenevreto, Italy, illuminated by twinkling lights against a backdrop of a beautiful night sky
A professional wedding photographer in Paris captured this award-winning image of the bride and groom's daughter yawning during the ceremony. The photographer specializes in capturing authentic and emotional moments throughout the wedding day.
A black-and-white photo captures a moment in Worms, Rheinland-Pfalz, as the groom lowers his head to enter the limo on his way to the church. This BW shot from inside the car beautifully captures the anticipation of the wedding day.
Amalfi ceremony exit with a beautiful outdoor scene, as white flower petals fall upon the smiling bride and groom, both dressed in white
At Hacienda Sitio de Mata in Costa Rica, a touching moment captures the groom's emotions as the bride embraces her mother after walking down the aisle. A heartfelt scene filled with love and family ties.
At Domaine de Montireau, the newlyweds are making their exit under a shower of bubbles

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 this award-winning wedding photo, taken in Istanbul's Sultanahmet Square, the groom gracefully supports his bride's dress train as they walk together. The romantic scene is enhanced by the burst of sunlight at the top.
London-based wedding photographer captures a stunning bridal portrait at the iconic Blue Rooms. With perfect light during sunset, the artist captures the bride bathed in golden light, creating a slightly dramatic effect. Low angle adds to the effect.
Surrounded by the rustic charm of a barn in Steamboat Springs, CO, the bride and groom share a romantic lit embrace, captured by an award-winning wedding photographer.
Capturing the essence of love and reflection, this award-winning portrait highlights a silhouetted couple in Noord Brabant, Netherlands, with the bride elegantly visible in a mirror.
This award-winning photo was taken by a professional wedding photographer at Mar de Eucaliptos. It features a symmetrical view of the chapel at Aurora, with a reflection of the scene at the bottom of the frame.
With a unique perspective and skillful composition, the award-winning wedding photographer captures the essence of the day as a lone hand reaches for a soda cup in this captivating detail image.
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.
An award-winning image captures the vibrant aftermath of a joyous celebration at Woolas Barn, as colorful confetti adorns the floor, alongside the elegant footwear and the bride's pristine white dress.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - April 8th, 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 romantic couple in Sarzana, Italy, share an intimate session in ruins, seen through a shattered window. A vintage black-and-white portrait captures their love beautifully.
A couple in Los Gatos, CA, shares a warm embrace and small talk by the lake, radiating big smiles in a romantic setting for their engagement portrait session.
In a room surrounded by red walls at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, a couple shares a tender kiss, creating a romantic scene for a portrait session.
A romantic engagement portrait captured in Cappadocia, Turkey. The couple is relaxed on a bench in a carpet vendor marketplace.
Beautiful engagement portrait captured in Veneto, Italy, featuring the couple's faces in a close-up shot with the wind gently moving her hair, creating a monochromatic vintage look.
A couple standing on the shore in the water at Jacksonville Beach, Florida, capturing their engagement session with the beautiful beach as their backdrop.
In Perros-Guirec, Brittany, France, this engagement portrait captures the couple by the sea tidal pool with a view of the ocean, holding each other closely in a romantic and relaxed setting.
A beautiful autumnal engagement shoot set in the enchanting setting of Chopwell Woods, Newcastle upon Tyne. The couple shares a sweet kiss under a clear umbrella amidst the forest scenery.

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 bride and her father shared an emotional moment as he kissed her head in the back of the limo just before the ceremony, captured perfectly in their wedding photo from Trieste, Italy
The brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo
The wedding photojournalist captured the tender moment of the bride being embraced by her friend during the outdoor patio reception at Le fou Gascon in Prechac, Gers, France
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of the bride embracing one of her great friends during the getting ready process at Cote How, The Lake District
The bride's parents' emotional embrace and tears at the Chinese tea wedding ceremony in Sanya, Hainan, China was truly a beautiful moment to be captured by the photographer
The wedding photographer captured a timeless moment of love and joy as the bride's grandparents danced in an embrace at the Mountain Top Inn in Vermont
The wedding photojournalist at Fleurance, Gers, France captured a heartwarming moment of the groom embracing his daughter as he prepared for his big day
At the stunning Mont La Salle in Napa, CA, the moment a bridesmaid holding flowers ran to hug the bride was truly a beautiful and emotional one that the wedding photographer was able to capture