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.

Lifestyle Portrait of Wedding and Elopement Photographer Morgan O'Neil
Wedding Photography by Jola Mulder
BW wedding photography by Mauricio Urena
Bulgaria Wedding Photography by Ognyan Stoynev, of Sofia
Laura Alpizar - Wedding Photographer
Studio Portrait of Wedding Photographer Kate Crabtree
Europe weddings, engagements and elopement pictures by Marco Tartaglia
North Carolina wedding photography by Joe Payne
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Anastasiia Polyakov, of So Tender Is Humanity
London wedding and elopement photography by Gyula Lovaszi, of England, United Kingdom
Mike Cook is a Scotland based creative wedding photographer
Samuel Berthelot - Jolie Histoire Photographie
Navarre wedding photography by Matt Kolf in Spain
Bordeaux, Gironde wedding photography by Pierre Cassagne
Studio Portrait of Harinder Chahal of Singh Photography for Weddings

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

Serenay Lokcetin, of Istanbul, is a wedding photographer for
Jacob Hannah, of Vermont, 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.

Excited spouses during the outdoor ceremony at Tenuta Tramontana, Reggio Calabria, with guests seated behind them in the natural sunlight
The pro documentary wedding photographer captures an intimate moment as the bride and groom listen to a singer, sitting side by side and touching heads, on a white bench in Montfort sur Risle, Eure, Normandy, France.
In Delden, Netherlands, a heartwarming image captures the bride and groom reflecting in a mirror as parents stand near them, sharing smiles and happiness
Enroute to the ceremony in Worcestershire, West Midlands, a bride is admired by passers-by on the busy city sidewalk
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
At Crested Butte, Colorado, a couple's friend makes a celebratory toast around a campfire during their wedding. This intimate and cozy scene, set under the stars, captures the joy and camaraderie of the evening.
Guest at the reception venue in Ardeche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, attempts to shatter the pinata with flair by kicking it overhead
At Domaine de Laplaud in Haute-Vienne, the bride and a bridesmaid share a funny moment of laughter during the pre-ceremony preparations. This heartwarming photo captures the joy and excitement of the wedding day.

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.

Capturing every intricate detail, the creative wedding photographer immortalizes the bride's astonishment as she uncovers her name delicately engraved on the groom's suit collar at La Grange 1868 in Seine-Maritime.
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.
Capturing the essence of tradition and unity, this award-winning wedding day detail immerses viewers in the intricate beauty of grooms' kilts and sporrans, symbolizing love and connection at Oaks Farm Wedding venue in Shirley, Surrey, UK.
Award-winning wedding detail: The artistic photographer captures the delicate hands of the bride and groom, reminiscent of the iconic 'God and Man' painting, at Mar de Eucaliptos, Alagoas, Brazil.
In the rocky landscapes of Cappadocia, Turkey, a wedding photographer captured a beautiful scene. The bride and groom share a tender embrace under the warm desert sun, with a backdrop of a stunning blue sky dotted with hot air balloons.
Award-winning wedding portrait captures the romance as the bride and groom joyfully pose amidst a picturesque snowfall. The grandeur of Mellon Institute adds a timeless charm to the captivating black and white scene.
Embracing the rustic charm, this award-winning portrait captures the couple's love and connection as they lean against the red brick wall, admiring each other and her beautiful wedding bouquet at Residence House, Ruse, Bulgaria.
An award-winning image captures the scene at Richmond Hill Hotel, Surrey, England, where a bridesmaid in a green dress lovingly helps the bride put on her shoes, emphasizing the close bond and attention to detail.

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.

Lively pre-wedding portrait in Maceió, Brazil, showcasing the sun's radiant glow. The couple shares an intimate embrace by the ocean, with the man's profile in captivating silhouette and the woman basking in sunlight.
A couple effortlessly poses on a rooftop picnic scene overlooking the sprawling cityscape of Istanbul. Birds gracefully soar through the sky, adding an air of tranquility to the beautifully captured scene.
Engaged couple's lifestyle portrait in Fort Collins, Colorado's Horsetooth Reservoir. Groom-to-be gracefully lifts his bride-to-be in a dance-like gesture, showcasing their love over the serene flat waters.
A couple about to wed in Zékesfehérvár engaged in a portrait session, passionately posing near a large clock on the ground crafted from live growing flowers, expressing their devotion to spending every minute together.
A beautiful and creative pre-wedding engagement portrait captures a silhouette of a couple at Grays' Beach, Yarmouth Port, MA. Their outlines stand out against the vibrant sunset colors, evoking a romantic and intimate atmosphere.
A stylish black and white engagement portrait captured in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The couple, adorned in matching white cowboy hats, stand facing each other with perfect symmetry, creating a visually pleasing and balanced frame.
A couple about to wed in Harrisburg, PA, strike a pose at Fort Hunter during their engagement portrait session, their figures framed beautifully by the surrounding trees and water.
A couple about to get married, tenderly holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes, was captured during their engagement portrait session at Nymans Estate in the United Kingdom.

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 at Ashton Creek Vineyard in Richmond, Virginia captured a beautiful moment of the bride and bridesmaids tearfully witnessing the groom's heartfelt vows
The photographer captured a beautiful moment at Montlouis sur Loire, as the two mothers of the couple tearfully embraced outdoors
The bride's beautiful reaction to seeing her special best man seated in the front row was captured by the photographer at Chácara Caiambá - Pedro Leopoldo - Minas Gerais
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 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 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 captured a beautiful and emotional moment as a Bari bride lovingly greeted her ailing grandmother, who was unfortunately unable to join the celebration of her special day
The photographer captured the beautiful, emotional moment between the bride and groom after they exchanged their rings in Trieste, Italy