Wedding Photos of Istanbul

The following “Istanbul” 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 “Istanbul” 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.

In Istanbul, Turkey, the groom's excitement radiates as he gets ready, his smiling reflection captured in the mirror, signaling anticipation for the momentous day ahead.

Groom's Joyful Reflection: Preparing for Wedding Day in Istanbul, Turkey

A newlywed couple on their wedding day is seen toasting with their friends on another boat at Prince Island. The happy couple raises their glasses in a celebratory gesture while enjoying their special day with loved ones.

Seaside Celebration: Newlyweds and Friends Toast on Boat at Prince Island Wedding

silhouettes black and white Istanbul Sea of Marmara Adalar boats celebrations

Excitement fills the moment as two young boys in smart bow ties and formal wear gaze eagerly at a decadent wedding cake at the Hilton Hotel Istanbul.

Boys in Bow Ties Admiring Decadent Cake at Hilton Hotel Istanbul Wedding Celebration

Istanbul wedding photography Decadent Istanbul kids hotel admiring cake

Emotive black and white wedding photography in Istanbul, Turkey: Close-up shot showcasing the bride as she delicately has pencil liner added to her lips during the pre-wedding preparations, capturing a moment of intimate beauty and anticipation.

Intimate Beauty: Bride's Lip Liner Pencil Moment in Istanbul, Turkey Black and White Shot

Istanbul emotive close up liner Istanbul Wedding Details black and white istanbul bride

A touching black and white wedding moment is frozen in time as a bride lovingly embraces her father before a kiss, captured at İstanbul/Adress Hotel during a joyous celebration.

Father's Last Embrace: Bride and Dad Share Emotional Moment at İstanbul Address Hotel Wedding

moment bride black white Istanbul father celebration Istanbul Wedding Moment

A couple cuts their wedding cake at Istanbul Bosphorus Palace with champagne spraying in the foreground, a moment of celebration and joy.

Champagne Celebration: Love at Istanbul's Bosphorus Palace

celebration cake cutting wedding cake couple champagne spraying Istanbul Bosphorus Palace champagne

At Adile Sultan Palace, two tec-savvy grandfathers share a heartfelt moment as they take a selfie together during the wedding celebration.

Generational Connection: A Selfie at Adile Sultan Palace

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A couple effortlessly poses on a rooftop picnic scene overlooking the sprawling cityscape of Istanbul. Birds gracefully soar through the sky, adding an air of tranquility to the beautifully captured scene.

ROOFTOP ROMANCE | A breathtaking engagement portrait capturing Istanbul's majestic skyline

picnic birds couple portrait session poses engaged couple Engagement photography Sky

This award-winning image beautifully portrays the bride's grandmother, immersed in anticipation and reflection, as she sits alone at a gorgeously adorned table in the majestic setting of Istanbul's Esma Sultan Yalisi.

A Moment Unveiled: Anticipation and Reflection at Istanbul's Esma Sultan Yalisi

Istanbul majestic setting Esma Sultan Yalisi Turkey sitting alone brides grandmother reception hall

Capturing the essence of love among the bustling streets of Istanbul, this award-winning wedding portrait depicts the blissful couple sitting on a bench as a passing motor scooter adds a touch of whimsical dynamism.

Istanbul Love: Whimsical Bliss on a Bench Amidst the Bustle

streets of Istanbul Istanbul Istanbul Artistic Portrait helmet motor scooter couple sitting passing motorist

A wedding photographer captured the bride and groom sharing a romantic kiss in front of the symmetrical windows at Feriye Palace Istanbul. The venue provided the wonderful backdrop for this award-winning artistic portrait.

Symmetrical Windows: An Artistic Wedding Kiss at Feriye Palace Istanbul

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Bosphorus Palace İstanbul sets the stage for an award-winning wedding day detail - meticulously capturing the bride's shoes and their enchanting reflection, beautifully framed by warm tones and elegant white window curtains.

Bosphorus Bliss: Capturing Enchanting Reflections of the Bride's Shoes

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Stylish bride, groom, and their dog pose at the Bosphorus Palace in İstanbul. The photo captures them on a roadway with lush tropical plants in the background.

Bosphorus Beauty: A Tropical Love Story Unfolds Amidst Lush Splendor

Artsy bride and groom wedding couple artistic portrait sessions pup creative portrait newlyweds

A stunning wedding day portrait captures the bride in a heavenly pose, surrounded by the white, billowy layers of her dress, as she lies on a bed at the beautiful Bosphorus Palace in Istanbul.

An Ethereal Vision: Bosphorus Palace Bride Embraces Heavenly Serenity

Artsy bridal Istanbul artistic portrait sessions creative portrait Artful in a building

Wedding photo captured at Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel İstanbul, showcasing an artistic detail shot of the rings illuminated by the light streaming in through a window.

Sunlit Splendor: Rings at Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel İstanbul

close up shot couples rings Artful Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel İstanbul ring detail indoor Istanbul artistic details

In a wedding photo, captured at Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul, Turkey. The bride sits on a bench in the foreground, while the groom lays on his back on another bench in the background.

Wedding Spectacle: Love Portrait Amidst Istanbul's Historic Splendor

daytime Sultanahmet Square married couple Artful Turkey outdoors creative portrait

In this award-winning wedding photo, taken in Istanbul's Sultanahmet Square, the groom gracefully supports his bride's dress train as they walk together. The romantic scene is enhanced by the burst of sunlight at the top.

Sultanahmet Serenade: Love Awakens in Sunlit Istanbul's Heartbeat Square

day artistic portrait sessions sunlight outside sunshine newlyweds Sultanahmet Square

A professional wedding photographer captured this enchanting portrait at Giritli Restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey. The couple shares a romantic session at the street tables while a cat gracefully passes by on the charming cobblestone street.

Charming Cat Strolls Past as Couple Share Intimate Moment, Istanbul

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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.

Sparkling Delight: Istanbul's Cake Cutting Spectacle Sets a Joyful Mood

Istanbul Turkey Giritli Restaurant

Istanbul, Turkey: This heartwarming image captures the bride's emotional reaction upon seeing the groom for the first time following their heartfelt vows

Istanbul's Tears of Joy: A Glimpse of True Love

Istanbul Istanbul wedding photography heartfelt tears of joy groom Turkey wedding emotional reaction

Groomsmen assist the groom in tying his bowtie at Istanbul's Pera Palace Hotel, using a smartphone camera as a mirror

Groomsmen's Reflections: Capturing the Bowtie Bond at Istanbul's Pera Palace Hotel

Istanbul groomsmen smartphone camera Turkey wedding prep capturing Istanbul Pera Palace Hotel mirror

Makeup artist applying finishing touches to the bride's look at Parma Sole Italian Restaurant in Istanbul. Captured in black and white, the artist works his brush by the large window.

Istanbul Serenade: A Bride's Final Look by the Window

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A couple dancing wildly during their wedding day celebrations at Koç Museum in Istanbul, Turkiye.

Wild Celebration: Dancing Through Love at Koç Museum Wedding

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A man pours drinks into held glasses during a wedding celebration at Hünkar Suyu Kasri in Istanbul, Turkey. This image earned the photographer an award from WPJA for their expertise in capturing wedding moments.

Wedding Celebration: Hünkar Suyu Kasri - Drink-Pouring Triumph in Istanbul

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Against the iconic backdrop of Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey, an engagement photo session unfolds. Silhouetted in front of shooting water fountain pools, the couple strikes a sunlit pose captured in striking black and white.

Sultanahmet Silhouettes: A Striking Engagement Portrait in Istanbul

Turkey sultanahmet water fountain couple posed black and white portrait Sultanahmet Engagement Portrait sunlit

At Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel in Istanbul, Turkiye, this photo captures a lively Libyan wedding reception moment. The image shows a man standing on another man's shoulders, while other men engage in conversation, in a joyful atmosphere.

Istanbul's Exuberant Libyan Wedding Reception: A Lively Celebration Unveiled

Istanbul purple lights Istanbul Documentary wedding photography Libyan Wedding Turkey Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel lively scene

A documentary wedding photographer earned a WPJA Honor Award for this image captured in Istanbul, Turkey. The photo depicts the bride and groom walking towards their guests on a city street sidewalk.

Istanbul Wedding Celebration Street Shot: Bride and Groom Radiate Joy Towards Guests

Documentary Wedding Photography bride and groom walking Istanbul wedding Istanbul photographer Turkey photographer sidewalk wedding city wedding

In this photo captured by an Istanbul wedding photographer at Adile Sultan Sarayı, a bride is struggling to drink from a glass as it is poured over her turned head and mouth

Adile Sultan Sarayı: The Playful Pouring Game at Istanbul's Grand Palace

drinking Istanbul Adile Sultan Sarayı Istanbul Documentary wedding photography pouring drink

In Istanbul, at Yanik Mektep, a documentary wedding photographer created this WPJA Honor Award winning photo. The image captures a man walking past tables and stools outside, surrounded by a serene green backdrop.

Vibrance & Movement: Istanbul Wedding Vendor Amidst Tables and Stools in Award-Winning Photo

tables and stools turkey wedding photographer Istanbul wedding Yanik Mektep documentary wedding photographer wedding venue Yanık Mektep weddings

Engaged couple poses during a pre-wedding photo session in Sultanahmet, Istanbul, Turkey. The Istanbul Wedding Photographer captures their relaxed pose under the arche, bathed in soft, dappled afternoon light.

Sultanahmet Love: Enchanting Engagement Portraits in Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul Engagement Portrait Istanbul afternoon Light sultanahmet framed Dappled Light Turkey

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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.