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.

California Couple Portrait Sessions and Wedding Photography by Stephanie Secrest
Engagement couple portraits and elopement photography by Brenda Bravo - Bravo Image
Lifestyle portrait of England wedding photographer Tori Deslauriers
New York City and Queens wedding photography and elopement sessions by Natasha Singh
Weddings, engagement portraits and elopement photography by Nikhol Esteras
Elopements by Top Wedding Photographer Justin Edmonds
North Carolina wedding photography by Joe Payne
Italy wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Simone Miglietta
Engagement shoots + wedding photography and elopements by Luan Nguyen of France
Bulgaria Wedding and Elopement Photographer Metodi Zheynov
Studio portrait of wedding and elopement photographer Erica Dietz
Portrait of Katharine Green from Katie Corinne Wedding Photography Studio
Couple Portraits and Wedding Photography by Tsvetelina Deliyska
Metz wedding photography by Jonathan Fortuna of Grand Est, Moselle
Italy Wedding and Elopement Photography
Isabelle Dohin is a wedding photographer based in France
San Antonio wedding photography by Kelly Williams of the Texas WPJA
Deanna Johnson wedding photography

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

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...

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...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

Hristina Handzhieva, of , is a wedding photographer for
Indra Simons, of Overijssel, is a wedding photographer for Enschede

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.

Newlyweds emerge from Bath Abbey, UK, greeted by cheering crowds on their wedding day.
Elmore Court in Gloucestershire, UK was filled with laughter as the groom gave a heartfelt speech, with his bride and father of the bride by his side.
L'Isle-Adam, Val-d'Oise - The bride and her father make a grand entrance on a scooter after a civil ceremony at the town hall.
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 take their first kiss as husband and wife at the town hall of Dompierre-sur-Veyle.
Taunton, UK - A playful moment at Waterside Country Barn, as the groom takes a swing at a cake-shaped pinata, watched by his new wife on their wedding day.
Newlyweds celebrate their special day at the picturesque Waterside Country Barn in Taunton, UK. Amidst a shower of confetti, the groom playfully reaches down the front of his bride's dress as she bends over in laughter.
Wedding day love captured at Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort as the groom becomes emotional during the outdoor ceremony, held under a beautiful hoopa and surrounded by loved ones.

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.

At Schloss Romrod, soft window light illuminates the intricate details of the wedding dress's bottom
At Bear Ridge Destination in Clymer, NY, Alex and her bridesmaids share a playful moment, clowning around with laughter and excitement just before the first look.
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.
In the Netherlands, a couple poses amidst the serene dunes, capturing the natural beauty and romance of the expansive sandy landscape.
On the quiet side of Acadia National Park, Maine, an elopement couple walks hand in hand, for this portrait amidst the serene and untouched natural beauty.
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.
Intimate Dance in Grand Building - Artistic Siena Wedding Image
An overhead shot captures the aftermath of a wedding cake, showcasing scattered slices, crumbs, and decorations, narrating a festive and delightful celebration.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - November 13th, 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 the town of Château du Haut Barr in Alsace, France, the artistic couple shares a tender kiss as blurred passersby admire them.
The stunning silhouette of this lovely couple in front of a grand tropical scene, taking in the breathtaking sunset in beautiful Costa Rica.
The photographer captures this layered engagement portrait, showcasing the couple's silhouette against a breathtaking Garden of the Gods backdrop.
In the charming town of Mont Brouilly, Beaujolais, a lovely couple shares precious kisses together in their beautiful engagement portrait.
In the beautiful town of Vannes, the couple stands on the indoor stairs of the town hall for their engagement portrait in Morbihan, France.
Amidst the charm of Saint-Brieuc, a couple graces the steps of the town hall for their engagement portrait, embraced by the soft glow of natural light filtering through the windows.
Stunning couple portrait captured in the ethereal beauty of Crete Senesi, Tuscany with artistic toning to create a muted, dreamy atmosphere.
The photographer's style is displayed in a romantic and intimate couple engagement portrait set in Budapest's train rail yard.

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 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 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 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 the emotional moment of the bride picking up her friend in a foggy embrace on the dance floor of her Montpellier wedding
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 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 photograph captured a beautiful and emotional moment as the bride held back tears while saying her vows outdoors at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI
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