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.

Northern California wedding photography by Drew Bird - Creative Storytelling
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Anastasiia Polyakov, of So Tender Is Humanity
Portrait of Wedding and Elopement Photographer Megan Hannah
London elopement wedding reportage photographer Lyndsey Goddard, of England UK
Wedding Photographer Roger Kenny, for Ireland - The Portrait Room
Wedding and elopement photography by Amanda Lamb
Casey Fatchett Wedding Photography
Wedding photography and couple portraits by Francesca Vitulano of Framelines
Documentary wedding and elopement photography by Jamie Gillies
Bulgaria Wedding and Elopement Photographer Metodi Zheynov
Canada Wedding Reportage Photography by Colleen Johnson
Engagement, elopement and wedding photography by Nicola Hudson
France engagement, elopement, and wedding photography by Mehdi Djafer
A black and white portrait of wedding photographer Lacey Butler
Portrait of Gabor Kapuvari, an award-winning wedding photographer of Budapest, Hungary
Portrait of Katharine Green from Katie Corinne Wedding Photography Studio

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

Chanarthip Cheingthong, of , is a wedding photographer for Bangkok
Micky Zhou, of , 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.

Newlyweds share their first dance under the stage lights at Bosphorus Palace in Istanbul, as they sway on the black and white checked floor.
Bride tossed bouquet to men at Domaine de Fon de Rey during wedding party.
Groomsmen enjoy cigars on the patio at the wedding reception at Brush Creek Park and Pavilion.
Brides in Fribourg, Switzerland celebrate their union with bubble guns after the ceremony.
Groom and his son prepare for the big day in the Domaine de Saint Jean de Chépy, a hotel in Tullins city, Isère, France.
In Langres, France, a bystander gazes out a window as a newlywed couple strolls by on their wedding day.
The newlywed couple shares a kiss at Loiret's city hall in Centre-Val de Loire, with a soft, warm glow illuminating the intimate moment.
At Mountain Top Resort in Chittenden, Vermont, the bride's grandmother takes on the role of flower girl, sprinkling petals during the outdoor wedding ceremony. The picturesque scene features a bright blue sky, fluffy white clouds, and lush green grass.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - September 30th, 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.

Expertly documented by a WPJA photographer, this close-up shot showcases the exquisite wedding rings at Casina Macchia Madama in Rome, bathed in natural light. Stunning black and white composition.
The beauty of a Nanning, Guangxi wedding through the lens of a WPJA photographer. Revel in the details showcased in this wedding shot of holding hands.
WPJA-captured wedding portrait features a dashing groom in the final moments of preparation in Anglet, France. Expertly framed and beautifully composed.
A wedding detail shot captured by a WPJA Artistic Guild member, featuring guests devouring hors d'oeuvres at the reception venue.
WPJA photographer captures a stunning bridal portrait on the grand staircase at Ashridge House in Buckinghamshire, UK. Moody and artistic, this picture exudes the elegant atmosphere of the venue.
The details of this wedding, showcasing rings nestled in the iconic God and Man painting at Turkey's Soho House.
The details of this enchanting wedding reception in Florence's beautiful Tuscany. Outdoor dancing on the grass, with men's shoes taking the spotlight.
Discover the creative perspective of a wedding photographer as they capture a couple in  against the picturesque backdrop of Domaine d'En Galinier.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - October 2nd, 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.

A skilled WPJA photographer captures a thoughtfully composed portrait of a recently engaged couple at Rialto Market in Venice, Italy. The artful use of soft lighting adds depth to this intimate, up-close shot.
A Chatelleraut couple stands side by side in front of a metal white wall. They don stylish sunglasses, both dressed in white attire.
Captured by a WPJA photographer in the vibrant streets of San Jose del Cabo, Mexico, this playful pre-wedding image features an engaged couple happily interacting with the bride-to-be playfully holding their engagement ring between her teeth.
At a serene mountain peak in scenic Corsica, France, a soon-to-be-wed couple clad in white soak in a breathtaking sunset over the sea, captured by a WPJA photographer.
 Captured by a WPJA photographer in the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland, the engaged couple stands amongst vibrant lupines, gazing deeply into each other's eyes with a waterfall as their backdrop.
Captured by a WPJA professional at Frigiliana, Málaga, Spain, this engaging pre-wedding portrait features the soon-to-be newlyweds standing in charming village doorways, basking in the warmth of the Spanish sun against white walls.
A heartwarming image captured by a WPJA photographer at the picturesque Clocktower boardwalk. The couple, fully immersed in their love, share an intimate moment while sitting on the boardwalk.
A WPJA photographer captured an enchanting image at Park Tivoli in Ljubljana, Slovenia, featuring a soon-to-be married couple playfully gazing into their future, surrounded by trees.

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 photojournalist captured a beautiful moment as the bride embraced her friends in a group hug at the reception of Hardy Farm in Fryeburg, Maine
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 emotion of the proud parents hugging their son, the groom, as he prepared for his wedding day at House of the Groom in Siderno, Reggio Calabria was so beautiful it was captured as a timeless moment by the photographer
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 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 beautiful and emotional moment of the Bride as she reads her heartfelt vows in the sunshine beneath the trees at Hardy Farm in Fryeburg, Maine
The tender loving moment of the bride caressing her groom's face during their wedding ceremony at Duino, Trieste, Italy was captured perfectly 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