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.

Var wedding photography by Marion Deletraz of PACA France
Xiaoqi Li - Artistic wedding and engagement photographer
Minas Gerais wedding and elopement photography by Victor Ataide of Brazil
BestDayEver elopement and wedding photography by Teun Bakker
Caroline Elenbaas, or Caroline Peeters, wedding and elopement photographer by Cfoto
Kirill Brusilovsky wedding photography for creative couples
Adventure elopement and wedding photography by Mike Kory
Studio portrait of New England small wedding and elopement photographer Nicole Chan
Portrait of Nottinghamshire elopement and wedding photographer Martin Makowski, of United Kingdom England East Midlands
Studio portrait of wedding photographer Tanushree Vaidya
Italy Wedding and Elopement Photography
Nicholas Haigh - UK wedding reportage photographer
Metz wedding photography by Jonathan Fortuna of Grand Est, Moselle
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes wedding photography by Coralie Garavel of the France WPJA
Lisbon wedding and elopement photography by Pedro Vilela of Portugal
São Paulo wedding and elopement photography by Thiago Gimenes of Brazil

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

Sanne De Block, of Antwerpen, is a wedding photographer for
Kari Bellamy, of London, is a wedding photographer for
Jody Priour, of Calvados (14) , is a wedding photographer for

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.

Gorizia, Italy: Newlyweds braving a torrential deluge of rice as they exit the church on their wedding day
A WPJA award-winning image captured by a documentary wedding photographer at the Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee, VT. The bride and her dad enjoy a drink together under the shade of trees before the ceremony.
Fort Collins, Colorado Wedding Ceremony  - The bride beams with smiles as she almost loses her veil during a windy wedding ceremony
Guests carrying chairs between ceremony and reception locations at Worcestershire, West Midlands
Bride and Groom participating in a sack race on the grounds of Whatton House, Leicestershire, UK, surrounded by beautiful, mature trees
At Bride's house in Arjona, Jaén, Spain, a cute little girl in her wedding attire is lending a helping hand to dress her aunt, the beautiful bride, on her big day.
The bride receives a thoughtful foot cleaning from a friend in the bathroom sink at Scripps Seaside Forum in San Diego, California - Image captured by a CA wedding photojournalist.
A guest sprinkles confetti on the bride's head while giving her a hug at Scotties Garage in Seaford, Melbourne. This image won an award from the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA).

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 artistic wedding day portrait captured at Villa Bonomo, Trieste, Italy. The image showcases the bride and groom, in a loving embrace, gazing at each other with the setting sun casting a beautiful glow.
In this award-winning wedding day detail picture, an artistic photographer captured a tight and intricate shot near the ceremony held at Minnewanka Lake in Canada. The black and white image showcases the bride's fingers wrapped around the groom's neck.
Award-winning photographer captures a stunningly intricate and luxurious table setting at the Lipnik Residence in Ruse, Bulgaria, showcasing the elegant combination of crystals and fine linen on a wedding day.
In Biscarosse, Landes, a couple shares a heartfelt picture session, radiating joy and affection as they embrace, their laughter echoing through the air. This captivating black and white portrait captures their genuine connection.
The bride gracefully walks herself down the aisle at Heinz Chapel in Pittsburgh, PA. The historic church serves as a grand backdrop for this beautiful wedding ceremony.
A wedding photographer in Germany captured an award-winning image at Heidelberg car park. The photograph highlights intricate details against a gritty contrast, as the bride sits on the dirty ground in her white dress, with shadows creating bold lines.
An award-winning wedding photographer captured this portrait of the groom and his friends at the Saint-Brieuc reception venue in Brittany, France. The black and white image shows them sitting together around a table.
Award-winning wedding photographer captures a romantic encounter at Domaine de Larchey, Gironde. The couple stands together, their faces inches apart, creating a stunning and heartfelt portrait.

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.

Intimate engagement portrait in Maceió, Brazil captures a couple's love in a picturesque setting. Embracing tightly, they stand before a majestic historic building, surrounded by symmetrical white columns.
This pre-wedding engagement portrait captures a couple in a comforting embrace on a bench amidst the fall leaves of Ecclesall Woods, Sheffield. The serene forest forms a picturesque backdrop.
A creative and lively pre-wedding engagement portrait capturing the joy of a couple in a playful session in downtown Washington DC. The couple takes center stage in a multi-frame composite shot.
A couple about to wed poses for their engagement portrait session inside Union Station in Washington DC, with three symmetrical wreaths gracefully hanging above them on a dark wall.
A heartwarming pre-wedding engagement portrait. Two brides-to-be embrace atop Cira Green in Philadelphia at twilight, enveloped in a Pride Flag, accentuating their silhouettes against the city lights.
Lifestyle couple portrait at Piney River Ranch, CO. The sun sets on the mountain range as a couple embraces in red attire that complements the mountains. They are prominently positioned left of the center of the frame, bathed in the photographer's light.
Lifestyle couple portrait at City Hall Philadelphia showcasing a creative and picturesque scene. The couple walks together, hand in hand, with the magnificent Philadelphia City Hall serving as an impressive backdrop. The sunlight highlights them.
Lifestyle couple portrait at Finca Vikingos, Santa Barbara, Heredia, Costa Rica. Couple in the midst of a picturesque coffee plantation during golden hour, beautifully highlighted by the photographer. Face to face pose with sunlight softly streaming in.

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 the beautiful moment of a wedding guest giving the bride a big hug and a kiss on the cheek at the Private Home in Congham, Norfolk, UK
The black and white photo of the friend hugging the bride, and groom has tears of joy whiped at Kasteel Maurick Vught - a beautiful and touching moment at their wedding
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 at Ancenis, France captured a heart-warming moment of the bride holding hands with her father-in-law as he saw her for the first time in her wedding dress before the ceremony
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
The photographer at the W Hotel in Chicago, IL captured a beautiful moment of the bride kissing her grandma right before walking down the aisle
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
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