Wedding Photos of Backlit

The following “Backlit” 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 “Backlit” 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.

A backlit engagement portrait of a couple embracing on the beach at Les Sables d'Olonne, France. The sunset creates a powerful "ring of fire" effect, dramatically outlining their figures against the sky.

Les Sables d'Olonne Sunset Embrace: Backlit Engagement Portrait, "Ring Of Fire" Effect

Hampshire, England — In a golden, backlit sunset portrait at their parents’ house, the couple stands together in long grass, creating a warm and romantic wedding image in the countryside.

Couple Stands Together in Long Grass Golden Backlit Sunset Portrait Hampshire England

Hampshire golden light Hampshire wedding portrait backlit sunset countryside tall grass

At the Pavillon de la Jamaïque in Montreal, a wedding photographer captures a serene image. Following their first look, the newlywed couple shares a private embrace under a backlit veil in a striking black-and-white image.

A Serene First Look Embrace Under a Backlit Veil

black and white private embrace Montreal Pavillon de la Jamaïque backlit couple under veil first look

A photograph shows a bride and groom during a couple's session at Chateau de Rossignol in Chalignac, France. The couple is framed by dark foliage and a backlit green canopy of trees overhead while it rains.

Raining Sunlight on a Bride and Groom at a French Chateau

Charente Chateau de Rossignol backlit dark foliage umbrella Charente Wedding Portrait Chalignac

A couple sits face to face in Grignan, Drôme provençale, their expressions tender and loving. The sun backlights them, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere in this close-up engagement portrait.

Provencal Sun-kissed Embrace: A Grignan Engagement Portrait of Love

grignan backlit Drome PreWedding Session Drôme close up Tenderness intimate

Longmont, CO — A couple poses in front of a brightly lit wall, their silhouettes captured in this engaging engagement portrait, perfect for celebrating love.

Celebrating Their Love: A Couple's Engaging Portrait In Longmont, Colorado

backlit Longmont Engagement Photography Face to face Silhouetted couple minimalistic portrait couple posing Colorado

At a Fribourg, Switzerland reception, the photographer expertly captures single men racing for a bottle outside, dramatically backlit by low, beaming sun, highlighting energy, timing, and striking visual storytelling.

Switzerland: Groomsmen Dash for a Bottle in Golden Light

single men race bottle race sunlight Switzerland Fribourg Wedding Photography visual storytelling Fribourg

A bride and groom pose between oak wine barrels at Chicago Winery. The couple is backlit, creating a cinematic glow and a romantic atmosphere for their quiet wedding portrait.

Bride And Groom Backlit Between Oak Wine Barrels At Chicago Winery For A Cinematic, Romantic Portrait

romantic portrait backlit couple winery quiet session atmosphere

In Vendée, a backlit mist spray enhances photos of the bride's preparations. The ethereal light captures intimate moments before the ceremony, highlighting anticipation and delicate details.

Ethereal Backlighting and Mist Capture Intimate Bridal Preparations and Anticipation in Vendée, France

pre ceremony details anticipation bride intimate delicate light

Brantôme, Périgord, France. An engaged couple poses in front of a historic monument.

Engaged Couple Poses Before Historic Brantôme Monument In Picturesque Périgord, France Setting

couple posing Historic monument Brantôme Dordogne backlit Brantôme Engagement Portrait Périgord

Fribourg, Switzerland: A backlit image of the groom carrying his bride, illuminated by the warm glow of the sunset.

Fribourg, Switzerland: Romantic Sunset Shot of Groom Carrying Bride

Switzerland backlit lifting bride warm glow Fribourg sunset hour Fribourg Wedding Portrait

Couple's portrait in an old-world stone archway in Cazorla, Jaén, Spain, beautifully backlit in red.

Couple's Portrait in Old-World Stone Archway, Cazorla, Spain, Beautifully Red Backlit

Spain old world archway red light backlit stone archway Cazorla Cazorla Wedding Portrait

Engaged couple on Les Sables d'Olonne beach, backlit by fiery ring and dramatic sunset light.

Engaged Couple on Les Sables d’Olonne Beach, Backlit by Fiery Sunset Ring

dramatic light engaged couple Vendee fiery ring Les Sables dOlonne shoreline vendee engagement photography sunset light

Engaged couple in ocean at Les Sables d’Olonne, backlit by vibrant, romantic sunset glow.

Engaged Couple Embraced in Ocean, Sunset Glow Illuminates Les Sables d’Olonne Romance

run on the beach beach engagement vendee engagement photography backlit sunset sunset glow romantic

Engaged couple stands on sand dune, backlit by fiery ring and sunset, overlooking Les Sables d'Olonne ocean.

Radiant Love: Engaged Couple on Dune, Sunset Backlight, Les Sables d’Olonne Ocean

Vendee Les Sables dOlonne sand dune sunset Vendee Engagement Portrait beach engagement backlit

At Castello di Mugnana, Tuscany, Italy, a kissing bride and groom are backlit by a golden, copper-toned sunset with flares.

Golden Sunset Kiss: Bride and Groom Backlit at Castello di Mugnana, Tuscany

backlit copper toned Florence Chianti kissing couple Castello di Mugnana flares

Engaged couple in Santa Cruz, close-up with heads touching, sun shining behind them, creating a warm, glowing effect.

Sunlit Warmth: Engaged Couple’s Tender Close-Up With Glowing Santa Cruz Sunset

Santa Cruz engagement photography backlit close up glowing effect arms around neck heads touching Santa Cruz

Pre-wedding portrait at Palacio de Viana, Córdoba, Spain: intimate pose, woman wraps arm around man’s head, backlit atmosphere.

Backlit Romance: Intimate Pre-Wedding Embrace at Palacio de Viana, Córdoba Spain

intimate pose Arms Wrapped Behind backlit Palacio de Viana Córdoba Cordoba PreWedding Photography Spain

At Espaço Dieters – São Bernardo do Campo, Brasil, a night outdoor ceremony features the officiant centered between the backlit couple.

Espaço Dieters: Backlit Outdoor Night Wedding Ceremony

Night backlit officiant centered officiant backlit couple centered outdoor ceremony

At Trio Grill, Falls Church, VA, the bride and groom play a knowing-each-other game at the reception, seated back-to-back and backlit.

Trio Grill: Backlit Knowing-Each-Other Game

groom knowing game back to back Virginia wedding photography backlit Falls Church seated

At the Metaal Kathedraal, the bride displays her beautiful dress, holding the veil gracefully with her hands. Backlit, she is illuminated in a stunning halo, emphasizing the elegance of her gown.

Haloed Bride Backlit Elegantly Displays Dress And Veil At Metaal Kathedraal Wedding

Utrecht Bridal Portrait illuminated bride halo Utrecht Elegance veil bridal gown

In Vendée, France, the bride and groom are beautifully captured in a backlit sunset portrait. They are framed inside a copper ring glow, enhancing the romantic warmth of the scene.

Romantic Backlit Sunset Portrait Frames Bride And Groom In Copper Ring Glow

couple framed sunset portrait copper ring ocean backlit romantic Vendee Wedding Portrait

In Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal, an engaged couple enjoys a winter evening with an ice skating rink and glowing lights behind them, beautifully backlit by the setting sun, captured by a skilled WPJA photographer.

Engaged Couple Embrace Winter Magic at Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal, with Skating Rink and Sunset Glow

Montreal engagement session backlit setting sun glowing lights winter engagement ice skating rink Parc Jean Drapeau

In Bangkok, Thailand, a couple stands embracing and smiling, warmly backlit by the sun. This inviting portrait is beautifully captured by a talented WPJA photographer.

Sunlit Embrace in Bangkok: A Warm and Inviting Portrait of Love and Happiness

vertical format Bangkok engagement session Bangkok Thailand smiling sunshine backlit

At Pang Ka Bay, Koh Samui, Thailand, a couple has a nighttime photo session on the pier. They are backlit by the photographer, with symmetrical framing.

Moonlit Embrace on Pang Ka Bay Pier: Symmetrical Love in Thailand's Night.

symmetrical framing pier Pang Ka Bay Villa Koh Samui Wedding Portrait Koh Samui backlit Thailand

At Villarino Park in Santa Fe, Argentina, an engaged couple stands face to face near a row of trees as the sun sets. The backlit warm glow creates silhouettes, capturing the romance and timelessness in this picturesque rural setting.

Engaged Couple at Villarino Park, Santa Fe, Argentina | Standing Face to Face Near Trees at Sunset | Backlit Warm Glow Creates Silhouettes, Capturing Romance

glow picturesque setting backlit romance outdoors trees

In the serene countryside of Crete Senesi, Tuscany, an engaged couple stands face to face near a row of trees. The backlit sun creates beautiful silhouettes, enhancing the romantic and timeless feel of their portrait in this picturesque rural setting.

Engaged Couple in Crete Senesi, Tuscany, Stands Face to Face Near Trees | Backlit Sun Creates Silhouettes, Enhancing Romantic and Timeless Portrait

trees Crete Senesi portrait countryside engaged scenic outdoors

At The Heritage Centre in Cremona, a romantic photograph features the bride and groom facing each other in a room illuminated by candles. The warm ambiance and backlit silhouettes enhance the intimate atmosphere.

Bride and Groom's Silhouettes Illuminate Intimate Candlelit Portrait at The Heritage Centre in Cremona, Italy

Alberta groom facing backlit warm atmosphere bride

At a reception venue in Paris, Île-de-France, the bride and groom tenderly gaze into each other's eyes, with the wind gently moving the bride's veil, beautifully rimlit from behind to create an ethereal glow.

Bride and Groom Share Tender Gaze as Wind Rims Veil with Ethereal Glow at Paris Reception Venue

wind ethereal backlit veil gaze veil glow tender Paris ethereal wedding

At their reception location in Estes Park, Colorado, the bride and groom share an intimate kiss amid a gentle snowfall, adding a touch of winter romance to their wedding day.

Bride and Groom Share Intimate Kiss Amid Gentle Snowfall for Winter Romance at Estes Park Reception

Estes Park winter romance Colorado intimate kiss backlit bride and groom Colorado snowy romantic kiss Estes Park

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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.