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.

BW studio portrait of adventure wedding photographer Eliza Slobodzian
Engagement, Wedding and Elopement Photographer for New England, Andy Madea
Caroline Elenbaas, or Caroline Peeters, wedding and elopement photographer by Cfoto
Southern California wedding photography and engagement portraits by Attila Iuhasz
Kitchener, Ontario wedding and elopement photography by Lori-Anne Crewe - Canada WPJA
France engagement, elopement, and wedding photography by Mehdi Djafer
Wedding Photography by Jola Mulder
USA wedding photography by Lacey Butler
BW Studio Portrait of Wedding Photographer Renan Radici
Wedding and Engagement Portrait Photographer Steven Herrschaft
Macaé wedding photography by Aline Prado of Rio de Janeiro
London wedding and elopement photography by Gyula Lovaszi, of England, United Kingdom
Var wedding photography by Marion Deletraz of PACA France
Germany Wedding Photographer Bartosz Ciesielski
Europe weddings, engagements and elopement pictures by Marco Tartaglia
Switzerland wedding photography by Monique De Caro
Lisbon wedding and elopement photography by Pedro Vilela of Portugal

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

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...

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...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

James Nix, of North Carolina, is a wedding photographer for
www.miguelonieva.com
Alex Paul, of Massachusetts, is a wedding photographer for Cape Cod, MA

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.

This WPJA awarded image captured by a documentary wedding photographer showcases a joyful moment at Homewood in Bath, UK. The bride and groom exit through a tunnel of confetti tossing guests.
Champagne's spray in Bali adds excitement to the lively dance floor as the men let loose at this wedding celebration
Fort Collins, Colorado: Newlyweds burst into laughter as they joyfully make their way out of the wedding ceremony
Couple's first kiss during the ceremony outdoors on the grass under questionable storm clouds in New Haven, Vermont
A pro documentary wedding photographer captured this WPJA award-winning image during cocktail hour at San Miguel de Allende. The photo shows the bride's family, showcasing the photographer's expertise in capturing candid moments.
At Coulibri Ridge - Soufriere, Dominica, the bride's sister gives a heartfelt toast during the intimate and joyous wedding reception captured by the wedding photojournalist
In Cappadocia, Turkey, the groom playfully feeds the bride a drink using a syringe-like device. The unique wedding tradition adds fun to the celebration.
Bridesmaids at Le Hechet Farm in Guernsey get a unique ride to the wedding ceremony in a cattle trailer, accompanied by young farmers

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.

An award-winning wedding day image showcases the hands of a bride adorned with wedding rings and a bouquet, while a white lace veil elegantly wraps around her arms at Märchenwald Altenberg, Odenthal.
In this award-winning wedding detail capture in Aix, PACA, France, the bride delicately holds her grandmother's necklace, as the artistic photographer offers a unique perspective from above, focusing on the bride's hands and jewelry.
Wedding portrait captured in Villefranche de Lonchat, Dordogne, France. A couple embraces, her tender touch on the groom's face, on the brink of a kiss, amidst a black and white ambiance with a gentle haze.
Capturing their love amidst the golden embrace of a wheat field in historic Via Labicana, Rome, this award-winning portrait exudes an ethereal beauty, with the groom gently gazing at his radiant bride.
A couple celebrates their marriage in a peaceful field at the Avenue in Sarver, PA. The groom joyfully lifts his bride, enveloped in the warm glow of sunlight, creating a romantic wedding day portrait.
Deer join a couple in a romantic sunset embrace at a stunning venue in Salach, Baden-Württemberg. This award-winning image captures the beauty of nature as it intertwines with a couple's love on their wedding day.
Captured at the Larmer Tree Gardens in Wiltshire, UK, this award-winning photograph showcases the artistry of a wedding photographer. The bride and groom gracefully stand together under an umbrella, embracing the magic of a rainy evening ceremony.
Award-winning wedding portrait captured in Fort Collins, Colorado. Wrapped in snowy serenity, the newlyweds brave the cold to share a romantic session, beautifully illuminated by their creative photographer amidst majestic pine trees.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - February 14th, 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 couple on the National Mall in Washington DC posed for their engagement portrait session, standing in the center of the frame with calm flat waters providing a serene backdrop as they lovingly embraced and smiled.
A captivating pre-wedding engagement portrait taken at Finca Vikingos, Santa Barbara, Heredia, Costa Rica. The couple embraces amidst a scenic coffee plantation, with his silhouette profile against a backdrop of light and shadows on her.
A creative lifestyle couple engagement portrait in Anglet, France. The black and white image showcases the couple in a forest setting, with dappled light and a center-framed composition.
A beautiful, creative lifestyle couple portrait captured in black and white at Bourne, MA. The photo showcases a playful scene as she humorously licks her fiancé's face, resulting in a composed yet joyful and spontaneous scene.
Lifestyle couple portrait at Albi, France. Couple posing in a graphic industrial scene, wearing formal clothes, with blue and red lights beautifully highlighting the entire frame.
Lifestyle couple portrait showcasing an affectionate embrace at the beach in Maceió, Brazil. The couple embraces as the wind blows, standing in a shallow tidal pool, while being captured slightly off-center.
California Santa Cruz lifestyle couple portrait. Embraced by the ocean and bird rock, the couple shares a tender embrace at the flat water's edge, capturing the beauty of their love.
A creative lifestyle couple portrait at Alcsúti arborétum showcasing a cute shot of the couple's shoes, with half of a white chalk drawn heart on each shoe. The couple is seated on the grass at a picnic.

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 photographer captured a beautiful moment of the bride joyously embracing her best friend on the dance floor of her San Francisco wedding reception
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 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 brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo
The tears of joy from the groom and ring bearer as the bride walked down the aisle at the Westin Playa Conchal in Guanacaste, Costa Rica were captured beautifully in the wedding photo
The photographer at Ashton Creek Vineyard in Richmond, Virginia captured a beautiful moment of the bride and bridesmaids tearfully witnessing the groom's heartfelt vows
The wedding photo taken at West Haven, Connecticut captured a touching moment of a groom shedding tears as his mother lovingly does his hair for the big day
At a wedding in Bucharest, Romania, the groom lovingly hugged his sister - a beautiful black and white image captured the emotional moment