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.

BestDayEver elopement and wedding photography by Teun Bakker
Destination weddings, engagement couple sessions and elopement photography by Angela Nelson
Studio portrait of wedding and elopement photographer Erica Dietz
Foggia wedding photography by Pino Coduti of Apulia, Italy
Casey Fatchett Wedding Photography
Harpenden and Hertfordshire elopement and wedding reportage photography by Neil Pleasants of England United Kingdom
Lifestyle Portrait of BreeAnna Lasher, a Seattle WA Wedding Photographer
Kobe Vanderzande creates artistic and documentary images from marriage ceremonies and reception parties
Annie Kheffache wedding photography
Adventure marriage images by Nicky Byrnes of Nemus Wedding Photography
Rochester wedding photography by Bob Kniley of Upstate New York
Color wedding photography by Iris Hu
BW portrait of Mark Wallis, Europe wedding reportage photographer
BW studio portrait of Xiaoqi Li, an artistic wedding and engagement photographer
Wedding elopement and photography by Oliver Saillard of France
PNW Wedding and Elopement Photography by Brianna Parks
United Kingdom wedding reportage-style photography by Tracy Morter

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

Marco Colonna, of Taranto, is a wedding photographer for

WPJA Contest Photos - August 13th, 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 groom laughs on his bride's shoulder at the outdoor garden altar at the Clairière de la reine Hortense in France.
Bride prepares for her big day at The Swan Inn in Suffolk, UK, surrounded by warm tones and captured in reflective mirrors.
In this photo taken at a wedding in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, a couple takes a break in their indoor couples room as their Dalmatian dog joins them.
A man plays beer pong at The Gathering Barn in Wiltshire during a wedding celebration.
Guests at Lower Honeydon Farm in Bedfordshire, UK gather around a phone to tune into the Rugby Premiership final during the wedding reception.
Groom opens a bottle of Champagne in sabor style as the groomsman prepares to toast at a wedding in Verrières, France.
Sedalia, Colorado - A bride gets her furry flower girl, a Yorkie adorned with bows and ribbons, ready for the ceremony at the wedding venue.
Newlyweds emerge from Bath Abbey, UK, greeted by cheering crowds on their wedding day.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - December 9th, 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.

Newlyweds stand in silhouette as guests gather under the porch at Abbaye des Prémontrés in Pont à Mousson. A beautiful and intimate shot captured by a talented WPJA wedding photographer.
At Domaine du Mas Neuf, the bride and groom are intimately nestled under the bridal veil, capturing a tender, ethereal moment of love and connection.
In Acadia National Park, Maine, the bride and groom enjoy a serene boat ride, taking in the breathtaking landscapes and waters that surround them.
In a Shanghai hotel, ambient lights create a magical and enchanting atmosphere, enhancing the portrait with a warm, glowing backdrop.
In Colorado, amidst the cold snow, the bride and groom share heartfelt words during their outdoor wedding reception
At Gite des Fonteneilles, Indre, the bride gently brushes lavender seeds from the groom's shoulder, capturing a tender, intimate moment amidst the reception festivities.
In The Veluwe national park, a black and white image captures the groom lifting the bride, her flowing veil dramatically blowing in the wind, evoking timeless romance.
Capturing the love and joy of a Kansas City wedding, this photo features a newlywed couple posing in a park with their bridal party blurred. A creative portrait captured by an artistic WPJA photographer.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - January 9th, 2025

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.

Engaged couple enjoys a sweet toast at Bisou Bisou cocktail bar in Montreal, QC. Cheers to their happily-ever-after!
During a love session at Ravenna's wild beach in Italy, a wedding photographer captured an engaged couple sharing love. The wind blows through the fringes of the shawl as they embrace in the sunset, emanating a sense of intimacy and connection.
This couple portrayed in the romantic landscape of Crete Senesi, Tuscany, captures the essence of love and anticipation during their pre-wedding portrait session.
Engaged couple poses for pre-wedding portrait session in picturesque London, England, framed within a tree by the water for a stunning photo captured by their photographer.
This photo captures an engaged couple at the Bund in Shanghai, China. The bride-to-be is holding a cluster of reeds while both she and her partner are dressed in all black, creating a romantic and timeless black and white shot.
Capturing the start of a new chapter, this pre-wedding portrait session features an engaged couple at Beijing Aeronautical University, with the bride and groom-to-be showcasing their love and excitement as they race towards their future together.
Captured in the stunning Crete Senesi landscape, a happy engaged couple embraces in a romantic portrait session amidst dramatic clouds. Tuscany at its finest.
Engaged couple poses for photographer in reflective car during pre-wedding portrait session, capturing love and beautiful scenery at Bai Am UK.

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 groom's touching encouragement of his witnesses to make a speech at his outdoor ceremony at Les tables de Crespin, the reception venue in Tarn, France, was captured beautifully in this wedding photo
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 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 photojournalist at Fleurance, Gers, France captured a heartwarming moment of the groom embracing his daughter as he prepared for his big day
The brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of a hug between the bride and groom at Palacio de los Cordova, Granada, Spain, after receiving and giving comfort through the Chinese tea ceremony gifts from the parents, full of emotion and true love
The beautiful moment of a bride wiping away her mother's tears of joy at Help Beach, Fethiye, Mugla was captured by the wedding photographer
The photographer captured the emotional moment of the bride picking up her friend in a foggy embrace on the dance floor of her Montpellier wedding