Wedding Photos of Emotional moment

The following “Emotional moment” images were created by documentary wedding photographers from the WPJA, who regularly submit their best candid moments, artistic portraits, details, and scene setters for review by our WPJA competition judges.

WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS + ARTISTIC PORTRAITS & DETAILS + ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

Some of the “Emotional moment” marriage photography samples below may have come from the getting ready events, the actual wedding ceremony, the reception after-party, an engagement session with the couple, or possibly be artistic portraits or detail shots.

FINE ART WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: Our Artistic Guild award winners take a more creative approach to wedding day Portraits and use their innovative skills to capture the Details of each couple’s special day. The Artistic Guild’s Scene Setters are some of the most notable and breathtaking from within the artistic WPJA contest categories. Playing with light and shadow, special effects, and post-production editing, these images embrace the artistic component of wedding photography.

PRE-WEDDING ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY: The story of every couple starts long before the wedding day, and the engagement marks one of the most important milestones in their story. Engaged couples often want to celebrate the occasion and announce their upcoming wedding with a photoshoot. Pre-wedding portraits of an engaged couple can be just as moving and compelling as the images taken on the wedding day. Engagement portraits can win a Diamond Award, an exclusive WPJA award whose winner is selected from the best engagement photography in the world.

Emotional moment captured during a wedding in Germany as the groom is encircled by his friends, sharing a heartfelt song together.

Groom Surrounded By Friends Singing in Germany: Touching Wedding Moment Captured on Film

Emotional moment captured in black and white at Benvenuto Banquet Facility in Boynton Beach, FL as groom shares a heartfelt handshake with his father, watched over by his adoring mother, just before the wedding ceremony begins, evoking a sense of family.

Father and Mother Witness Emotional Groom's Handshake Before Wedding at Benvenuto Banquet Facility

handshake Benvenuto Banquet Facility mother candid Boynton Beach black white wedding

A heartfelt moment captured as the father of the bride delivers a moving speech at the stunning Chateau de la Gautronniere in Vendee, France, during the outdoor cocktail reception. Emotions run high as the sun sets on this beautiful wedding day.

Father's Poignant Toast: The Emotional Highlight at Chateau de la Gautronniere Wedding Soiree

speech drinks dads heartfelt words view bw Chateau de la Gautronniere venue FOB father of the bride

A touching moment captured at Casa de los Bates in Motril, Spain, as the bride shares a first look with her father, who tenderly hides his face with his hand during a heartfelt embrace.

Fatherly Love: Emotion-filled first look at Casa de los Bates in Motril, Spain

touching father daughter moment cherished wedding memories in Spain father daughter bond Casa de los Bates weddings father intimate wedding setting

In an intimate moment at Schloss Lamberg in Steyr, Upper Austria, the emotional mother warmly congratulates the bride, captured in a tight shot focusing on their upper bodies.

Embracing Love: A Mother's Congratulations at Schloss Lamberg

Steyr weddings local photographer mother Schloss Lamberg bride embrace tight shot Schloss Lamberg celebration

Emotional moment captured at Early Mountain Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the bride and her brother embrace and shed tears after the ceremony.

Sacred Tears: A Vineyard Embrace in Charlottesville

brother and sister Charlottesville Charlottesville Wedding Photographer Vineyard Embrace brother embrace ceremony

In the region of Isere, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the emotional moment when the bride's brother sees her in her wedding dress for the first time at their parent's home.

Brotherly Love: The Bride's Big Reveal in the Heart of Isere

parents home brides brother Emotional moment Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes brother first look Isere Documentary Wedding Photography Isere

Amidst the groom's preparations at a charming Rhône reception venue, his son arrives in tears, prompting the bride and groom's guests to reunite father and son before the wedding.

Emotional Reunion: Groom's Son in Tears at Rhône Reception Venue

tearful reunion Emotional moment heartfelt reunite Rhone groom France French Alps

An emotional moment captured during bridal prep in Sheffield, UK, as the bride and her father share a first look in the mirror, with her sister in the background.

Unforgettable Tenderness: A Father-Daughter First Look in Sheffield

South Yorkshire reflection Sheffield Emotional moment father first look round mirror Bride and father

At Jaipur, India, an emotional moment unfolds as the bride and groom are surrounded by their loved ones, shedding tears during the ceremony

Tears of Love: A Tender Wedding in Jaipur, India

India Jaipur loved ones unfolds shedding tears wedding photography Jaipur couple

Award-winning wedding photographer captures emotional moment as the bride's mother sheds tears of joy on her daughter's special day at Chateau du Smith Haut Lafitte in Gironde.

Mom's Tears of Joy: Emotional Moment at Chateau du Smith Haut Lafitte in Gironde

Gironde Gironde wedding photographer Chateau du Smith Haut Lafitte Bride's mother emotions emotions Chateau du Smith Haut Lafitte photography wedding photography

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.

Alajuelita's Vista Capital: A Powerful Wedding Vow of Love

altar Vista Capital San Jose-CR San Jose CR wedding photography Costa Rica Emotional moment Vista Capital Wedding Venue

At Beau Lodge in Bow, Washington, the emotional mother of the groom sheds a tear during the mother/son dance. This image won an award from WPJA, showcasing the photographer's expertise in capturing touching moments.

Emotional Tears: Award-winning Mother/Son Dance at Beau Lodge, Bow, Washington (WPJA Accolade)

mother and son dance Emotional moment Bow Washington mother of the groom Tearful Bond Beau Lodge Washington USA wedding image

At the end of the wedding in Metz, the happy couple announces the bride's pregnancy to their guests with an outdoor celebration on the grass. Love and joy fill the air as they share this exciting news with their loved ones.

Metz Wedding: A Celebration of Love and Future Blessings Unveiled

Happy couple excitement Emotional moment Metz Documentary Wedding Photography Metz announcement

In this heartfelt moment at Lyon Rhône Church, the groom delivers an emotionally charged word to his wife. Her tearful reaction leaves the bridesmaids visibly moved, capturing the raw emotions of the wedding day.

Lyon Rhône Church: A Groom's Poignant Words Unleash Untamed Wedding Emotions.

Rhône Emotional moment Lyon wedding photography Rhone Church tearful reaction Lyon

A Costa Rican wedding photographer captures an emotional moment as the groom sheds tears while reciting his vows to his bride at the Vista Capital Wedding Venue in San José, Costa Rica. This image won an award from WPJA.

Emotion Overwhelms Groom: Tears Flow During Vows at Costa Rican Wedding Venue

Costa Rica San Jose CR Emotion Overwhelms Groom reciting vows Costa Rica outdoor wedding CR wedding photography groom sheds tears

A pro documentary wedding photographer captured an emotional moment at the Paris Hotel Marignan. This image shows the bride shedding tears of joy as she exchanges vows and receives a ring, bathed in beautiful sunlight.

Emotional Tears of Joy: Vows Exchanged and Ring Received at Paris Hotel Marignan

shedding tears Paris Hotel Marignan paris bride paris wedding photographer beautiful sunlight joy Paris

A groom, overcome with emotions, finds solace in his mother's comforting embrace as he catches a glimpse of his beautiful bride for the first time at Kilworth House in Leicestershire, UK

Tender Moments Unveiled: Groom's Embrace with Mother at Kilworth House, UK

Kilworth House comforting mother Leicestershire groom overcome Leicestershire Documentary Wedding Photography Emotional moment

In Tyrrellspass, Ireland, a wedding photographer captures the emotional moment as the bride and groom bid farewell to their guests after the ceremony, while a young boy stands apart, seemingly uninterested

Capturing Love's Final Touch in Tyrrellspass: A Tearful Farewell Embraced by Uninterested Wonder

bride and groom bid farewell Emotional moment Tyrrellspass Documentary Wedding Photography young boy Tyrrellspass Ireland

In this candid moment captured by a wedding photographer in Lyon, Rhône, the bride and groom are moved to tears by their daughter's heartfelt speech, simultaneously wiping away their emotions.

Lyon's Tear-Filled Love: Bride, Groom, and an Emotional Speech

Lyon Documentary Wedding Photography Lyon speeches Emotional moment moved to tears wiping tears Rhône

In this photograph taken by a wedding photographer in Loiret, Centre-Val de Loire, a tender moment is captured as the bride embraces a loved one during the wedding ceremony.

Loiret's Eternal Union: A Bride's Touch of Love

Centre-Val de Loire tender moment Loiret Documentary Wedding Photography Loiret Emotional moment

At Montfort sur Risle, France, a tear-jerking moment unfolds as a guest serenades the Bride and Groom, leaving them emotional and moved.

Emotional Serenade: A Tear-Jerking Moment Unfolds at Montfort sur Risle, France, Leaving the Bride and Groom Moved

Emotional moment tear jerking Montfort sur Risle Eure Eure Documentary Wedding Photography guest singing Normandy

In Nanping, Fujian, loved ones bid farewell to the bride as she departs her home in a car. A touching and emotional moment captured by a talented wedding photographer from Fujian.

Leaving Love Behind: A Farewell to Nanping's Bride

bid farewell departing Emotional moment Fujian Fujian Documentary Wedding Photography Nanping

In front of the church, after the arrival of the newlyweds, their son jumps onto them to give them a big hug. A very strong and emotional moment

Bound by Love: An Enchanting Embrace as Vows Unite a Family

Vienne church Emotional moment holding son big hugs Vienne Documentary Wedding Photography

At the reception venue Chateau Kergrist-Bretagne, the tearful bride and bridesmaids experience an emotional moment as another woman delivers a speech from the outdoor altar pulpit

Emotional Moment at Chateau Kergrist-Bretagne: Tearful Bride and Bridesmaids Moved by Outdoor Altar Pulpit Speech

Cotes dArmor Documentary Wedding Photography tearful bride Emotional moment Cotes-d’Armor pulpit speech Chateau Kergrist Bretagne

The photographer captures the emotional moment as the bride and her bridesmaids become deeply moved by the groom's speech at their wedding reception in London, England.

London Love: Bride and Bridesmaids Moved by Groom's Emotional Speech

Emotional moment London deeply moved Grooms speech United Kingdom Bride and Bridesmaids London Documentary Wedding Photography

In this WPJA Honor Award-winning wedding photo, taken at Blois, the bride is embraced by two bridesmaids while the groom signs paperwork with the priest. It captures the emotional moment after the ceremony.

Bride Embraced by Bridesmaids: An Emotional Moment after Blois Wedding Ceremony

post ceremony Emotional moment hugs Blois priest Loir-et-Cher bridesmaids

A wedding photojournalist captured this emotional moment at Snagov Palace. The bride is seen shedding tears as she walks with her groom past their guests, who kindly hand her tissues. This image received a prestigious WPJA Honor Award.

Tears Unveiled: A WPJA Honor Award-winning moment captured by a wedding photojournalist at Snagov Palace.

Romania Emotional moment Snagov Palace shedding tears handed tissues Ilfov Romania documentary wedding photography

A documentary wedding image capturing the emotional moment at the townhall in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. In the background, the bride's sister and daughter can be seen shedding tears of happiness

Capturing Love and Tears: Emotion-filled Moment at Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Townhall

France wedding photography Brides sister townhall Emotional moment Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes shedding tears brides daughter

Bridesmaids embrace in an emotional moment at Mariposa Hotel in Costa Rica before the wedding ceremony

Candid Bridesmaids Embrace at Costa Rican Wedding Venue: A Moving Documentary Photo

Central America Mariposa Hotel Costa Rica Documentary Wedding Photography Costa Rica bridesmaids and bride Emotional moment hugs

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WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.