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Wedding Photos of Anticipation

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The following “Anticipation” 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 “Anticipation” 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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An engaged couple embraces amidst trees near their Nantucket Island home in Madaket, MA, captured in a vertical black-and-white portrait. The image reflects their love and anticipation as they prepare for marriage.
Engaged Couple Embraces Amidst Trees in Madaket, Nantucket Island, MA | Vertical Black-and-White Portrait Captures Love and Anticipation as They Prepare for Marriage
portraitverticalhomemadaketNantucketmarriageengaged
In Sono 1420, an engaged couple sits at a bar, enjoying a drink together. Under soft studio-style lighting, their intimate toast captures the warmth and connection of their engagement, highlighting their shared joy and anticipation.
Engaged Couple Toadting at Sono 1420 Bar, Under Soft Lighting, Highlighting Warmth and Connection of Their Engagement
connectiontogetherintimateConnecticutwarmthtoastEngagement
At Cady Falls in Stowe, Vermont, a lovely black-and-white image captures a future bride looking directly into the camera. Her gaze, framed by the elegant contrast of the monochrome tones, conveys a sense of timeless beauty and anticipation.
Vermont Bride-to-Be's Timeless Gaze Captures Pre-Wedding Anticipation
Vermont Bride to BegazetimelessStoweTimeless Monochrome Beautyelegant bridal portraitCady Falls
At Domaine de Gressac, the bride stands before a window, softly illuminated by the natural light, as she waits for the groom. This black-and-white vertical shot beautifully captures her anticipation and grace.
Bride Awaits Groom in Graceful Black-and-White Portrait by Window at Domaine de Gressac
French bride anticipationbwatmospheric capturegraceful wedding portraitserene bridalVerfeuiltender waiting scene
At Domaine La Chartreuse in Thénac, Dordogne, France, the bride sits patiently as she awaits the completion of her beauty preparations, capturing a moment of anticipation and serenity before the celebration begins.
Bride Awaits Beauty Preparations with Anticipation and Serenity at Domaine La Chartreuse, Thénac, Dordogne, France
capturing serene anticipationserenitycelebrationDordognepreparationDomaine La Chartreuse ambianceDordogne bridal serenity
At StoneTree Estate in Novato, California, a black-and-white portrait captures a bride in a robe standing by a window, her reflection mirrored in the glass as she savors her big day.
Bride's Reflection in Window Captured in Elegant Black-and-White Portrait at StoneTree Estate, Novato, California
Novato CAEleganceNovato window eleganceStoneTree Estate bridewindowCalifornia - Northerncalifornia bride
The Lille Nord groom is preparing for his wedding alongside his brother and best man. The image captures a moment of anticipation and camaraderie before the ceremony begins.
Moments of Brotherhood: A Groom's Journey to 'I Do'
Nord celebrationNordmomentgroomLilleNord groom anticipationcamaraderie
In Teton National Park, the bride and groom stand on opposite corners of a log cabin, privately reading letters before the ceremony, preserving the tradition of not seeing each other beforehand.
Bride and Groom Share Touching Moments Apart in Teton National Park
Wyoming privacyTeton romancesecludedTeton National Parkintimateemotionalanticipation
At Castello Bevilacqua in Verona, Italy, single ladies excitedly gather under a large tree on the grass, reaching for the tossed bouquet. The outdoor scene is filled with anticipation and joy.
Excitement Blooms Under Tree at Castello Bevilacqua
Verona Bouquet EventanticipationbouquetcelebrationexcitementExciting Moment CaptureItaly
At Villa Foscarini Cornaro in Gorgo Al Monticano, Treviso, Italy, single ladies eagerly gather on the grass during the blue hour, reaching for the tossed bouquet. The scene captures their excitement against the twilight backdrop.
Excited Bouquet Chase at Villa Foscarini Cornaro
weddingVilla Foscarini Cornaroanticipationtraditionbouquet toss anticipationTreviso Blue Hoursingle ladies
At Écuries de La Tour in Mondonville, the bride-to-be adjusts her wedding fascinator while her dreamy-eyed daughter reaches for a handbag. This moment captures their shared anticipation before the ceremony.
Anticipation Shines with Bride-to-Be and Daughter at Écuries de La Tour
french weddingdaughterMondonville Wedding PreparationÉcuries de la TourfascinatorHaute-GaronneÉcuries de la Tour
At Capela dos Milagres, guests attentively watch as the bride makes her entrance into the seaside chapel, adding a sense of anticipation and romance to the coastal setting.
Anticipation and Romance: Bride's Entrance Captivates Guests at Seaside Capela dos Milagres Wedding Ceremony
weddingSeaside Ceremony PhotographyentranceromanceAlagoasanticipationBrazil wedding
At Écuries de la Tour in Mondonville, Haute-Garonne, the bride and her two sisters share smiles and laughter during wedding preparations. This joyful moment reflects their close bond and excitement.
Bride Shares Laughter with Sisters at Écuries de la Tour
shared bridal excitementlaughteranticipationfamilyTogethernessMondonvillesmiles
At The Priory Barn in Hitchin, UK, the bride and groom walk past a mini vintage wedding car as they enter the barn for their reception. The scene combines classic charm with festive anticipation.
Newlyweds Pass Classic Car En Route to Priory Barn Reception
UK weddingHitchin BrideHertfordshire WeddingreceptioncarclassicHertfordshire
At Spring Ranch in Mendocino, California, a black-and-white shot captures the bride's bridesmaid practicing fluffing the wedding dress by a window. The scene exudes elegance and anticipation before the ceremony.
Elegance in Motion: Bridesmaid Perfects Dress Fluffing at Spring Ranch
bridesmaidMendocinobwElegant Anticipation Scenespring ranchCalifornia weddingCA wedding
At Villa di Ulignano in Tuscany, Italy, the bride and her father share a reaction of joy and excitement upon seeing the groom as they arrive at the wedding ceremony. This heartfelt moment underscores the anticipation and happiness of the day.
Joyful Arrival: Bride and Father Share Excitement at Villa di Ulignano Ceremony
happinessTuscanyitaly brideTuscany weddingreactionItalyfather
At Vinilia Wine Resort in Puglia, Italy, the groom is visibly emotional and teary-eyed as he watches his bride arrive for their sunny outdoor wedding ceremony.
Groom's Heartfelt Tears: A Sunny Puglia Wedding at Vinilia Wine Resort
anticipationweddingSunny Wedding ArrivalsunnyOutdoorVinilia Wine Resortemotional
At Gibson Mill in Halifax, UK, the groom is moved to tears as he sees his new bride walking into their indoor ceremony.
Groom's Tearful Joy at Gibson Mill Wedding Ceremony, Halifax, UK
West YorkshiretearsceremonyHalifaxHalifax UKUKemotional
At St. Peter's Church in Guernsey, a black-and-white shot captures the bride, her father, and bridesmaids sharing a laugh as they enter. The scene, set in an old-world setting, highlights the joy and anticipation of the moment.
Entering with Laughter: Bride, Father, and Bridesmaids Share Joy at St. Peter's Church
Guernsey BrideAnticipatory Wedding LaughteranticipationhappinessSt Peters ChurchGuernseysetting
In Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, two flower dudes entertain the crowd with a fun show beneath the trees, just before the bride makes her entrance down the aisle.
Flower Dudes Delight Guests in Wisconsin Dells Before Bride's Grand Entrance
Flower DudesEntertaincelebrationlaughtertreesentrancewedding
At a private residence in Westport, CT, the bride prepares for her wedding with family nearby, while a little girl in a white dress spins joyfully in the foreground. The scene captures a blend of excitement and familial warmth.
Bride Readies Amid Familial Warmth and Twirling Joy in Westport
Private residenceanticipationConnecticutConnecticut Weddingwarmthfamilial excitement warmthspinning
In Baraboo, Wisconsin, a tight shot captures the little ring bearer being held as he eagerly reaches for the groom's flowers. The moment highlights his determination and adds a touch of humor to the occasion.
Ring Bearer Reaches for Groom's Flowers, Adding Humor to Baraboo, Wisconsin, Wedding Ceremony Scene
momentoccasionBaraboo Weddinggroomplayfulcuteanticipation
At Basilica di Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Rome, the priest looks out, checking if the groom and his sister are ready to enter the church. This anticipatory moment underscores the solemnity and excitement of the occasion.
At Basilica di Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Rome, the priest looks out, checking if the groom and his sister are ready to enter the church. This anticipatory moment underscores the solemnity and excitement of the occasion.
anticipationrome weddingtraditionitalian weddingreadymomentRome Anticipatory Scene
At a reception venue in Burgundy, France, a pregnant guest poses for a portrait taken by her partner. The photo captures their shared joy and anticipation amid the festive backdrop of the celebration.
Pregnant Guest Poses for Portrait by Partner, Capturing Joy at Burgundy, France, Wedding Reception Scene
Burgundy Joyful PortraitmomentExpectationportraitburgundy weddingBurgundyfestive wedding
In a home in Paris, Île-de-France, the bridesmaids excitedly see the wedding dress for the first time as the bride walks into the room carrying it, in a moment filled with joy and anticipation.
Paris Home Scene of Dress Reveal Before Wedding
Anticipatory Bridal Momentfrench weddingParis Joyful Revealemotionexcitedanticipationcelebration
At a reception venue in Upper Austria, vendors carefully transport the wedding cake while guests, lined up behind a hedge of roses, eagerly watch. The scene combines anticipation and beauty amidst the floral backdrop.
Vendors Transport Wedding Cake as Eager Guests Watch Behind Rose Hedge in Upper Austria Reception Scene
cake revealtransportanticipationUpper Austria Anticipationreceptionbackdropeager
At Asli Tunca Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, the bride is gracefully escorted down the elegant staircase as she makes her entrance.
Bride's Grand Entrance at Istanbul's Asli Tunca Hotel Wedding
celebrationgracefulTurkeyistanbul brideanticipationweddingAsli Tunca Hotel
In Istanbul, Turkey, a sideline shot beautifully captures the moment as numerous women reach upwards, arms outstretched, to catch the bouquet. The image reflects the excitement and camaraderie of this wedding tradition.
Women Reach for Bouquet in Exciting Bouquet Toss at Istanbul Wedding, Capturing Tradition and Camaraderie
funTurkeyjoycelebrationUnityweddingbouquet toss
At the Titanic Hotel in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the bride's sister carefully laces up her dress, helping her prepare shortly before heading to the ceremony.
Sister Helps Bride With Dress at Belfast's Titanic Hotel Before Ceremony
verticalLacing DressintimatesupportiveNorthern IrelandBelfast Momentblack and white
Outside at Chateau du Sou features a tender moment as the father rides with his daughter, the bride, just before the church ceremony. This intimate car ride captures a mix of anticipation and emotion before the big event.
Father Rides with Bride at Chateau du Sou, Capturing Tender Pre-Ceremony Moment
Togethernessfrench weddingSentimentLacenasautoreflectiveatmosphere

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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.