Wedding Photos of Festivities

The following “Festivities” 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 “Festivities” 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.

Wedding photo captured in Budapest, Hungary during the reception. The image shows the bride and groom resting outside during the nightly festivities.

Newlyweds Relaxing under the Stars at Reception in Hungary's Capital City

Photograph from a lively outdoor wedding in China's Dashan Li, capturing the chaotic yet orderly contrast between the lively wedding festivities and the serene mountain backdrop.

Bustling Outdoor Wedding in Dashan Li: Chaos and Serenity Meet in Mountain Nuptials

serene mountain backdrop outdoor wedding contrast Dashan Li Outdoor Ceremony chinese wedding cultural wedding traditions Dashan Li wedding

A dynamic shot capturing a wedding celebration at Château la Salle in France, with a stunning fireworks display adding a touch of magic to the outdoor evening festivities.

Enchanting Fireworks: A Fairy-Tale Wedding at Château La Salle in France

vendors fireworks Festivities performers dancers evening France

A romantic wedding portrait of a couple at Château de Valinches in Marols, France. The newlyweds steal a quiet moment away from the festivities, walking together silhouetted against a beautiful brick wall illuminated with warm lights.

Silhouetted Romance: Newlyweds at Château De Valinches, Marols, France in Illuminated Evening Stroll

romantic wedding portrait Marols quiet moment couple newlyweds Festivities walking together romantic scenery

Children from Nord enjoying the festivities in Lille, dressed in their wedding attire and playing on the steps of the venue.

Nordic Nuptials: Kids in Wedding Wear Bring Nordic Cheer to Lille

Lille France Nordic Children wedding reception venue Festivities Nord Lille

Amidst the festivities at Kasteelhoeve Geldrop Wedding Venue in North Brabant, a woman's beer tumbles off her plate, as friends perform a lively sketch for the couple.

Beer Mishaps and Sketch Laughs at Kasteelhoeve Geldrop Wedding Venue in North Brabant

couples wedding dump woman beers drinks North Brabant Festivities

An award-winning wedding photographer captures the romantic essence of the bride and groom at The Gatsby in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England.

Captured Romance: The Gatsby Love Story in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England

The Gatsby Hertfordshire wedding couple romantic wedding photography Berkhamsted Hertfordshire Wedding

Wedding photojournalism at Tianjin | Grossman inflates balloons as part of the pre-wedding games

Balloons and Love: A Wedding Journey in Tianjin

Teamwork competition surprise Tianjin excitement marriage fun

Boston documentary wedding photo - bar harbor club groom lifted in chair

Euphoric Elevation: A Boston Groom's Cheers at the Bar Harbor Club

Massachusetts reception Massachusetts photographer tradition groom happiness Boston Groom reception

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.