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Wedding Photos of Pre Wedding

For Couples / Wedding Photos of Pre Wedding

The following “Pre Wedding” 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 “Pre Wedding” 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.

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At Chapelle Saint-Aubin in France, the couple sits close together in tall, dry grass, embracing with eyes closed, conveying intimacy and peaceful connection.
Engaged Couple Embracing in Tall Grass at Chapelle Saint Aubin Portrait Session
embracingportrait sessionromancenatural settingloveSarthecountryside
At Lac Chambon in France, the couple sits close together among moss-covered boulders in a lush forest, surrounded by the serene natural beauty.
Engaged Couple Portrait Among Moss Covered Boulders in Lac Chambon Forest
outdoorsnaturescenicPre Weddinglovenatural beautyPuy-de-Dôme
In Philadelphia, the couple shares a tender hand kiss beside a tranquil pond, surrounded by vibrant trees and a bright blue sky overhead.
Engaged Couple Sharing a Tender Hand Kiss by a Pond in Philadelphia
vibrant treesCity ParkPhiladelphiaPre Weddingoutdoorsportrait sessionscenic
At Cypress Grove in Mendocino, CA, the couple joyfully runs down the center of the street, the yellow painted lines leading the eye straight toward their laughter and energy.
Engaged Couple Running Down the Street at Cypress Grove in Mendocino
energyjoyscenicPre WeddingrunningMendocinoCalifornia - Northern
At Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia, the couple shares a playful dip in the sunshine amidst shimmering waters, radiating joy and a love that flows endlessly.
Engaged Couple Playful Dip in Sunshine at Longwood Gardens Philadelphia
Philadelphiaoutdoorsplayful dipjoyshimmering watersgardenengaged couple
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a couple is seated together against the backdrop of a historic stone building and dramatic skies, beautifully illuminated in a dusk portrait.
Engaged Couple at Dusk by Historic Stone Building in Philadelphia
sceniceveningcityarchitecturePre Weddingilluminatedoutdoors
At Longwood Gardens in Philadelphia, the couple dances beneath the glowing lights of their enchanted treehouse, wrapped in color and laughter, captured from a low angle.
Engaged Couple Dancing Under Treehouse Lights at Longwood Gardens
Nightportrait sessionloveoutdoorsglowing lightsromancecelebration
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he lifts her joyfully under the bright blue sky, both framed by the bridge and the sparkling waters below.
Engaged Couple by the Bridge With Sparkling Waters in Philadelphia
Pennsylvaniajoyhe lifts herbright blue skyengaged couplelovescenic
In Doylestown, Philadelphia, two hearts meet between the stars and the water, illuminated under the night’s gentle glow by the photographer’s artful lighting.
Engaged Couple Under Night Sky by Water in Doylestown Portrait Session
photographer lightingilluminatedromanceDoylestownPre Weddingstarsartistic
Beneath the timeless arches of Philadelphia City Hall, the couple shares a joyful, urban dip—full of playful style and grace—where their forever begins.
A Joyful Urban Dip Beneath the Arches of Philadelphia City Hall in a Pre-Wedding Portrait Session
Downtownengaged coupleurban dipplayfularchitectureForeverjoyful
At a street corner on the Bund in Shanghai, China, he holds her close in a sweet pause amid the city's rush, captured from a low camera angle.
A Sweet Pause on the Bund at a Shanghai Street Corner for a Couple's Pre-Wedding Portrait Session
Pre Weddingcandidlow camera angleChinacity rushDowntownportrait session
On Yu Yuan Road in Shanghai, China, the couple's near-kiss is romantically framed by curved black iron railings in a black-and-white portrait.
Near Kiss Framed by Curved Iron on Yu Yuan Road in a Shanghai Pre-Wedding Portrait Session
Yu Yuan Roadblack and whiteChinaengageddestinationurbanintimate
On the Bund in Shanghai, China, the couple leans toward each other in front of a tall building, radiating pure joy under the shining sun.
Radiant Joy in Front of a Shanghai Landmark During a Couple’s Pre-Wedding Portrait Session
Pre WeddinglovecityscapeChinatall buildingsunlightengaged
On the Bund in Shanghai, China, she is wrapped in his embrace, sunlight illuminating them while shadows fall on the Old World building behind, creating a romantic atmosphere.
Wrapped in Sunlight and Shadows on the Bund During a Shanghai Pre-Wedding Portrait Session
loveOld World BuildingChinacoupledestinationcityscapeThe Bund
On the Bund in Shanghai, China, the couple stands hand in hand, gazing up at a grand dome and sharing the happiness and beauty of the city together.
Hand in Hand Beneath a Grand Dome on the Bund for a Shanghai Couple’s Pre-Wedding Portrait Session
cityscapePre WeddingShanghaiportrait sessionurbancity beautydestination
In Göreme, Nevşehir, Turkey, a Cappadocia pre-wedding photo session captures the couple standing embraced, surrounded by galloping brown horses.
Embraced Among Galloping Horses in Cappadocia During a Pre-Wedding Couple Portrait Session
outdoorsbrown horsesromanceadventurenatural settingscenicportrait session
In Karaköy, Istanbul, a pre-wedding photo session features the couple standing under a bridge in profile, both gazing thoughtfully at the water.
Under the Bridge in Karaköy: Thoughtful Gazes in a Pre-Wedding Couple Portrait Session
lovescenicIstanbularchitecturethoughtfulTurkeyunder bridge
In Karaköy, Istanbul, a pre-wedding photo session shows her holding an umbrella as the couple walks together by the boat docks along the waterfront.
Walking by the Boat Docks in Karaköy With an Umbrella: Pre-Wedding Couple Portrait Session
Rainy dayscenicloveumbrellakarakoyIstanbulwalking
In Göreme, Nevşehir, Turkey, a Cappadocia pre-wedding drone shot captures the couple lying on rugs inside a carpet vendor, facing each other amidst intricate patterns.
Lying Among Intricate Carpets in Cappadocia: Pre-Wedding Couple Drone Portrait Session
Turkish decorTurkeycarpet vendorunique settinglying on rugscultureGoreme
In Göreme, Nevşehir, Turkey, a Cappadocia pre-wedding portrait features the couple face to face in profile silhouettes, with colorful hot air balloons filling the frame at sunrise.
Silhouettes at Sunrise With Balloons in Cappadocia Pre-Wedding Couple Portrait Session
unique backdropportrait sessionTurkeyengagedcolorfulprofile silhouettesromance
In Göreme, Nevşehir, Turkey, a Cappadocia pre-wedding photo features the couple holding the trunk of a small tree, nestling their faces together and smiling on a sunny day.
Nestled Faces Beside a Small Tree in Cappadocia Pre-Wedding Couple Portrait Session
lovenestling facessmilingcouplenatural settingNevsehiroutdoors
In Göreme, Nevşehir, Turkey, a Cappadocia pre-wedding photo captures the couple perched atop ancient cave dwellings, surrounded by the breathtaking landscape of the Old World.
Perched Above Ancient Cave Dwellings in Cappadocia Pre-Wedding Couple Portrait Session
breathtaking landscapeloveNevsehiradventurePre Weddingperchedportrait session
In Ephesus Ancient City, Selçuk, Türkiye, the couple stands by their own pillars of a magnificent Old World stone building, both dressed in black for their pre-wedding session.
Standing by Ancient Pillars in Ephesus Pre-Wedding Couple Portrait Session
architectureromancedestinationloveSelçukstone buildingEphesus Ancient City
In Göreme, Nevşehir, Turkey, a Cappadocia pre-wedding portrait shows the couple standing back to back in profile—she is illuminated by sunlight, while he is fully silhouetted in shadow.
Back to Back in Sun and Shadow in Cappadocia Pre-Wedding Couple Portrait Session
Turkeyprofileromancecoupleback to backNevsehirGoreme
In Göreme, Nevşehir, Turkey, a Cappadocia pre-wedding photo session captures the couple playing in the snow, wearing beanies, sharing a playful and romantic dip.
Playful Snowy Dip in Cappadocia Pre-Wedding Couple Portrait Session
portrait sessionengagedcouplePre WeddingcandidNevsehirfun
In Córdoba, Spain, a pre-wedding portrait features the couple cheek to cheek, looking at the camera in a tight crop that reveals only half of each face.
Cheek to Cheek in Córdoba Pre-Wedding Couple Portrait Session
artisticengagedclose upportrait sessionhalf faceintimatePre Wedding
In Córdoba, Spain, a pre-wedding portrait shows the couple head to head, holding hands and smiling warmly at each other.
Head to Head Smiles in Córdoba Pre-Wedding Couple Portrait Session
lovehappinessSpainholding handsjoyfulcandidconnection
At Baños de Popea, Córdoba, Spain, a pre-wedding portrait captures the couple head to head, holding each other in silhouette within a lit doorway.
Silhouetted Embrace in a Lit Doorway at Baños de Popea Pre-Wedding Couple Portrait Session
portrait sessionscenicunique settingholding each otherartisticromanticsilhouette
At Playa del Faro de Trafalgar, Cádiz, Spain, a pre-wedding photo captures the couple sharing a playful and romantic dip on the rocks at the edge of the sea.
Playful Romantic Dip on Seaside Rocks in Playa del Faro de Trafalgar Couple Portrait Session
engagededge of seaoceanPre Weddingromantic dipoutdoorsrocks
At Playa del Faro de Trafalgar, Cádiz, Spain, a pre-wedding portrait features the couple standing together on rocks overlooking the crashing waves of the sea.
Couple Portrait Session Overlooking Crashing Waves in Playa del Faro de Trafalgar
natural beautystanding on rocksengagedoutdoorsCadizseaportrait session

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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.