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.

Cristina Tanase is a Wedding and Engagement Photographer
A studio portrait of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, a wedding photographer Amael Dubiez from France
Kim Chapman, a talented wedding photographer offering her services in the beautiful city of Portland, Maine, United States
Italian wedding and elopement photographer - Alessia Bruchi Fotografia
France wedding photography by Angelique Blaise
BW studio portrait of Toronto wedding photographer Thomas Campean, of Ontario Canada
Kobe Vanderzande creates artistic and documentary images from marriage ceremonies and reception parties
Wedding and elopement photography by Jonathan Ryder
Shaun Baker - Wedding Photographer and Couple Portrait Professional
Wedding elopement and photography by Oliver Saillard of France
Portsmouth Wedding Photography and Elopements by Eric McCallister, of New Hampshire
Denver adventure wedding elopement photos by Jennifer Garza of Colorado
Engagement, elopement, and wedding photography by Andrew Morrell
United Kingdom wedding photography, engagement portraits and elopements by Jenny Rutterford
Kevin Heslin, Costa Rica Wedding Photography
Rob Dodsworth - Wedding Reportage Images
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes wedding photography by Coralie Garavel of the France WPJA

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

Shea McGrath, of Colorado, is a wedding photographer for
The mood in the room is positive while the bride is getting ready | Relaxed Wedding Photography
Patrick Mateer, of East Riding of Yorkshire, 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.

Son of the bride plays with the wedding dress in Wierden, Netherlands, as the family observes
At Vista Capital Wedding Venue in Alajuelita, San José, Costa Rica, the bride and groom share an emotional moment as they stand together at the altar for their long-awaited ceremony.
In Fort Collins, Colorado, a documentary wedding photographer captured this award-winning image of a couple sharing their first kiss in the mountain chapel with a view, surrounded by their wedding guests.
In Bar le Duc, Meuse, the bride and groom make a grand entrance to the cocktail on horseback, galloping towards their happily ever after.
At a Lyon Rhône Reception Venue, the girls eagerly compete to catch the bridal bouquet while other guests observe the exciting scene.
Two guests enjoying garden games on bouncy space hoppers during the reception at Scrivelsby Walled Garden in Lincolnshire
At the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Reception Venue, the bride is caught in shock as her husband accidentally falls out of his chair during the horah, prompting everyone to quickly lend a helping hand
Wedding day at White Castle in Scottsdale, AZ, where a unique tradition has guests throwing onions at the happy couple. This White Castle wedding showcases the bride and groom in stunning historic costumes.

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 captured a close-up shot of the cake and lively bride laughing amidst a dazzling show of light sparks as fireworks exploded during the cake cutting celebration at Giritli Restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey.
A wedding photo capturing the couple at Syon House, London. The bride and groom stand face to face indoors, gracefully framed by a magnificent window.
Newlyweds embrace nature's beauty as they stand near the water and trees, surrounded by exposed tree roots in Lipnik Park. This unique wedding day portrait captures their love in an enchanting setting.
In this award-winning image, a modern bride arrives at her ceremony in Ardeche. Captured in black and white, the image showcases the contemporary aesthetic of the wedding day, with reflective glass adding a touch of artistry.
In the lovely town of Gonzaga in Mantua, Italy, at the bride's home, a wedding photo captures the bride's shoes and her hands on her legs during her makeup session.
In Moselle, a close-up shot at the wedding venue, the focus is on the hands of the newlyweds, with the bride's ring highlighted.
Award-winning image captured at Three Peaks Ranch in Westcliffe, CO. The bride elegantly prepares for her special day in the charming and romantic getting ready cabin.
Wedding detail shot at party hall in Domartemont, Meurthe-et-Moselle: The bride embraces a loved one, revealing her foliage tattoo on her arm, captured from behind in a heartfelt hug.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - April 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.

Capturing a couple's pre-wedding session in Cappadocia, Turkey, as they stand in formal attire amidst launching balloons against a dark blue sky.
Engagement photo taken in the Historic Center of Pistoia, couple holding hands in the afternoon sun with urban streets and buildings in the backdrop.
Captured in Norwich's Waterloo Gardens, this portrait showcases a couple strolling through the enchanting wisteria pavilion, emanating a serene and romantic atmosphere.
In this engagement portrait, a couple from Palo Alto, CA shares a mesmerizing embrace under a yellow tree, blending urban and natural elements in an artistic shot.
A romantic engagement portrait captured at Espiguette Beach in Camargue, France. The couple dances on the beach at sunset, with him lifting her up and spinning her around.
At Kerpenhir Point, Morbihan, France, a couple of happy lovers are captured in autumn. Their smiles, laughter, and playful fun shine through the portrait session.
In a beautiful setting at Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins, Colorado, the man sweeps his joyful fiance off her feet, both smiling and having fun during their playful engagement portrait session.
In beautiful Sevilla, Spain, this pre-wedding portrait captures a couple running and holding hands amidst stunning architecture in a wide shot.

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 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 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 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 photographer at the W Hotel in Chicago, IL captured a beautiful moment of the bride kissing her grandma right before walking down the aisle
At a wedding in Bucharest, Romania, the groom lovingly hugged his sister - a beautiful black and white image captured the emotional moment
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
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 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