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.

Parana Wedding Photography and Engagement Sessions by Heloisa Todescatt of Brazil
Candice Fouliard, a wedding reportage photographer from Val-d'Oise, France
Lyon Wedding Photography by Elise Julliard of Rhone, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France
Studio portrait wedding photographer Mike Greener
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Nilufer Nalbantoglu
Shaun Baker - Wedding Photographer and Couple Portrait Professional
New Delhi documentary-style wedding photographer Shivali Chopra - India WPJA Pro
Engagement, elopement and wedding photography by Nicola Hudson
Lifestyle portrait of Rheinland-Pfalz wedding photographer Stephanie Schneider-Kieslich of Germany
Ottawa wedding photography by Kathi Robertson
London wedding and elopement photography by Gyula Lovaszi, of England, United Kingdom
BW wedding photography by Mauricio Urena
Wedding and elopement photography by Amanda Lamb
Studio portrait of Wes Shinn - owner / wedding and elopement photography studio
Isabelle Dohin is a wedding photographer based in France

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

Megan Hannah, of Vermont, is a wedding photographer for
Lyndsey Goddard, of London, is a wedding photographer for
Kent Meireis, of Montana, is a wedding photographer for Stevensville, Montana

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.

Casale 1890 - Tenuta Tramontana in Reggio Calabria: Friends having a great time playing games during dinner, with two women limboing on the grass under a held napkin
In Montpellier, Hérault, the Bride's Room captures the essence of motherhood and beauty as a woman multitasks with makeup application and breastfeeding, surrounded by greenery
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China: Hilarious moment captured at a hotel after the wedding ceremony as the bride's baby playfully touches her eyes
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.
A pro photographer in Bordeaux captures a joyful moment at Domaine de Conseillant, where the bride's best friend catches the bouquet, resulting in a big hug and a happy smile.
A groom and his friends tear it up on the dance floor during his wedding reception at Boettcher Mansion in Golden, Colorado
The groom and ushers at Two Woods Estate, West Sussex, getting ready for the big day by putting on their new socks - a thoughtful gift from the groom
Mother of the Bride helping her daughter put on jewelry at their home in Maine-et-Loire, France during the wedding preparations

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 photographer captures the romantic essence of the bride and groom at The Gatsby in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England.
In Alessandria, Piedmont, Italy, a creative wedding photographer captured the intricate details of young girls holding confetti in their hands while wearing pastel solid dresses.
In the charming vineyards of San Floriano del Collio, Gorizia, Italy, a glorious wedding session unfolds with a passionate kiss between the bride and groom, an exquisite tilt in their embrace.
Award-winning wedding photographer captures an urban groom and his sister striking a pose in the radiant sunlight. The beautifully composed black and white image frames them artistically, with a soft focus on the sister in the foreground.
A couple poses at St Giles House in Dorset after their wedding. The image captures them under a statue of Cupid's arrow, with a dramatic dusk sky creating a stunning backdrop.
A stunning wedding portrait captured at the historic Castle of Venus in Erice, Sicily. The award-winning photo showcases the beautiful gardens and the couple's love walk and kiss on their special day.
In a detailed shot from a wedding at Terra Residence in Sofia, Bulgaria, the rings are beautifully captured against the backdrop of a fooseball game field.
At Crested Butte, Colorado, the newlyweds share a joyful pose on a playground swingset, radiating happiness as they celebrate their wedding day in a picturesque setting.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - May 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.

In Cividale del Friuli, Udine, Italy, a couple of lovers, smiling and hugging in nature, are captured in a portrait session, set against low stone walls.
During their engagement portrait session in Montebello della Battaglia, Pavia, Italy, the couple strolled along the wine trail - intimate countryside romance captured in each frame.
In St Albans city centre, Hertfordshire, the bride & groom-to-be, found refuge in a tudor alley, their silhouettes capturing a romantic scene amidst a sudden downpour during their engagement shoot.
In Beijing Dashilan Pedestrian Street, the couple gazes into each other's eyes under the posters of Peking Opera characters, encapsulating their love in an urban setting before their upcoming wedding.
At Chamonix, French Alps, a couple in the mountains laughing and holding each other, capturing the love and excitement before their upcoming wedding day.
In Cappadocia, Turkey, a couple preparing for marriage poses for photos wearing sunglasses while looking at each other, their reflection seen in the side mirror of a classic red car.
At an engagement portrait session in Istanbul, Turkey, a wide angle photo was taken at a low angle with the couple holding hands in a symmetrical pose at a historical building.
In Istanbul's Yildiz Park, during their engagement photo session, he tenderly carries his soon-to-be bride across the cable-hung swing pedestrian bridge, capturing love and joy.

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 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 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 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 wedding photojournalist at Fleurance, Gers, France captured a heartwarming moment of the groom embracing his daughter as he prepared for his big day
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 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 brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo
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