Wedding Photos of Emotion

The following “Emotion” 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 “Emotion” 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.

At Gables LBI, NJ, a bride adorned in a maroon tuxedo reacts emotively as the bride gracefully walks down the aisle during a garden LBI Gable wedding ceremony.

Emotive Moments at a Garden Wedding Ceremony in Gables LBI, NJ

A beautiful bride, surrounded by friends, is putting on the finishing touches to her attire at Domaine Etxezahar in Bardos, France. The palpable emotion in the air is captured in this stunning wedding day image.

Bardos Bride and Friends at Domaine Etxezahar, France, Embracing the Wedding Day Emotion

friends Domaine Etxezahar attire beautiful bride dress finishing emotion

Emotional moment between two bridesmaids holding hands, witnessing their friend's wedding at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol, RI USA.

Tender Bridesmaid Bond: Mount Hope Farm Wedding in Bristol, RI USA Sparks Emotional Unity

dress backs bonds bridesmaids emotion bw Rhode Island Wedding Photography Mount Hope Farm

A beautiful moment unfolds as the bride steps out of the car on her wedding day at Pembroke Lodge in London, adding a touch of elegance to the special occasion.

Elegant Bride Stepping Out of Car at Pembroke Lodge: A London Wedding Moment

love joy emotion London Wedding Moment unforgettable bride London

Captivating wedding day moment at Museum Hülsmann in Bielefeld, filled with genuine emotions and joy as a woman embraces the bride with beaming smiles in an outdoor setting.

Woman Hugs Bride with Beaming Smiles at Museum Hülsmann in Bielefeld

North Rhine-Westphalia moment woman emotion Museum Hülsmann celebration embrace

A candid and heartwarming moment at American Jewish University in Los Angeles, CA, as the bride lays surrounded by flower girls during the reception.

Bride Surrounded by Flower Girls: Heartwarming Wedding Moment at American Jewish University, Los Angeles

Event Photography wedding heartwarming candid joy reception venue Los Angeles Wedding Moment

In a serene moment at Lake Oak Meadows Weddings and Events in Temecula, CA, the newlyweds are caught wiping away tears of joy right after saying "I do" outdoors.

Newlyweds Embrace at Lake Oak Meadows Weddings and Events in Temecula

tears joy happiness California - Southern California Newlyweds Lake Oak Meadows Weddings and Events moment

A beautiful bride in a white gown makes her way to the first look surrounded by eagerly watching family and friends through the windows of a private residence in Prospect Harbor, Maine on the wedding day.

Eager Eyes Witness Bride's First Look at Private Residence in Prospect Harbor, Maine

Prospect Harbor wedding Maine love marriage emotion beautiful

Wedding portrait at First Look in Acadia National Park, showing a couple sharing a joyful kiss against a minimalistic white backdrop, in a timeless black and white photograph.

First Look Romance: Joyful Kiss in Acadia National Park - Timeless Black & White Portrait

bride romance beautiful Acadia First Look timeless intimate Sky

A bride filled with emotion as she sees her groom waiting for her on their wedding day at Viagrande - Radura dei Sogni venue.

Emotional Bride Gazes at Groom in Viagrande's Enchanted Radura dei Sogni Wedding Venue

Viagrande bride tears photo embrace emotion Sicily

In Annecy, Haute-Savoie, France, a touching moment unfolds as a guest embraces the bride with emotion on her special day, captured beautifully outside the venue.

Emotional Guest Embraces Beautiful Bride in Annecy, Haute-Savoie, France Wedding Moment

hugging hug Haute-Savoie beautiful guest outside emotion

In Oxfordshire, UK, a candid moment is caught on camera on wedding day at the venue, as the bride makes a humorous expression while her bridesmaids help adjust her dress.

Oxfordshire Bride's Candid Humorous Moment with Bridesmaids at Wedding Venue in UK

bride mirror love Oxfordshire bride wedding photo getting ready dress

Wedding day bliss at Aragosta Deer Isle Maine, as the couple shares a joyous embrace on the rocky Maine shore, wrapped up in each other's arms and beaming with happiness.

Blissful Embrace: A Wedding Day at Aragosta Deer Isle Maine Shore

blissful romantic Deer Isle embrace Deer Isle Wedding Portrait smiles couple

A touching moment at Thorpe Gardens as the bride is moved to tears during the groom's heartfelt speech on their wedding day.

Bride Moved to Tears by Groom's Heartfelt Speech at Thorpe Gardens Wedding Ceremony

Staffordshire Wedding Moment groom bride Thorpe Gardens marriage emotion wedding

At a wedding in NRW, Germany, the groom is tenderly kissed by an elder guest, capturing a heartfelt moment in a nostalgic black and white photograph.

Tender Kiss: Heartfelt Moment at NRW Wedding Captured in Nostalgic Black and White Photograph

guest tender heartfelt Germany wedding moment kiss Germany emotion

A touching scene at Schloss Herten, Germany, where the bride receives a warm kiss and hug from an elder gentleman immediately following the ceremony on her wedding day.

Elderly Gentleman Tenderly Embraces Bride After Ceremony at Schloss Herten, Germany Wedding

Germany tender Schloss Herten ceremony scene touching Sentimental

Emotion-filled photo of newlyweds dancing at Zemono Castle in Slovenia, captured in a classic black and white style, showcasing the couple's intimate first dance on the unembellished dance floor from a unique overhead angle.

Love's First Waltz: Newlyweds Dance at Zemono Castle, Slovenia in Timeless Black and White

Zemono Castle intimate love Unembellished black white Slovenia Wedding Moment emotion

A candid moment at a Bangkok wedding captured in a beautiful photo, showing a woman seated with her baby engrossed in a screen, while the bride passes by, casting a glance back at them.

Captivating Candid Moment: Bangkok Wedding Bliss with Baby, Bride, and Screen Time Glance

emotion captivating bride Bangkok wedding photography candid moment Bangkok glance

A heartfelt black and white wedding photo captured at Villa Avanzi in Polpenazze del Garda, showing a tender tea ceremony moment as the newlyweds offer tea to their parents, surrounded by guests in a setting by Garda Lake.

Heartfelt Black and White Wedding Tea Ceremony at Villa Avanzi in Polpenazze Del Garda

Polpenazze del Garda heartfelt Villa Avanzi lake garda emotion newlyweds bw Wedding Photo

A tender moment at a wedding captured at Nanping, Fujian church as a girl sheds tears and crouches with hands covering her face during the emotional ceremony.

Tears of Joy: Emotional Moment at Nanping

memories girl Nanping Wedding Moment emotion wedding photo church emotion Nanping

A candid moment at the wedding in Nanping, Fujian, as the groom is in a playful game during the gate crashing tradition.

Joyful Groom Plays During Gate Crashing Game at Nanping Wedding in Fujian

Nanping wedding games game wedding groom Nanping Groom tradition Nanping

A captivating wedding portrait taken in Beaujolais, France, showcasing the bride against a beautifully lit Lyon skyline during the blue hour.

Bride's Radiance: Lyon Skyline Backdrop in Beaujolais at Blue Hour Wedding Portrait

Lyon Bride love emotion wedding portrait Beaujolais bride skyline

A couple exchanges vows in a captivating outdoor setting at Artist Point, Washington, with the majestic mountain as the backdrop, the sun gently rising, all captured in a candid and authentic photograph that tells a touching wedding day story.

Romantic Vows at Artist Point: Majestic Mountain backdrop for Candid and Authentic Wedding Photograph

love Artist Point ceremony sun setting candid reflections outdoor wedding

Wedding day portrait captured at the American Church in Paris, as the couple steals a private session post-ceremony, depicted in a vintage black and white image evoking timeless romance and intimacy.

Timeless Romance: American Church in Paris Wedding Portrait - Vintage Black and White Elegance

vintage BW session intimacy Ile de France timeless American Church Paris love

Lovely moment on the wedding day in Land van Es, Strijen, the Netherlands as the bride proudly shows her wedding ring while the groom receives a heartfelt hug.

Embracing Love: Bride Reveals Wedding Ring as Groom Receives Heartfelt Hug in Strijen, Netherlands

love smiles Strijen Netherlands humor couple beautiful

A heartfelt moment shared between a father and his son on the wedding day in the United Kingdom, captured from a unique birds-eye perspective.

Father-Son Embrace: Heartfelt UK Wedding Moment from Above

high angle unique moment son love family candid

At Maple Leaf Events in Stevenson, Washington, USA, the mother of the bride shares a poignant moment with her daughter, gently wiping away a tear as they make their way up the aisle. A touching display of love and emotion on this special wedding day.

Maple Leaf Events: A Tearful Bond - A Mother's Love Unveiled

MOB Washington USA wedding image washington weddings Stevenson Washington Gentle USA wedding day

At Trident hotel in Mumbai, the bride's mom becomes emotional as she prepares for the big day, adding an extra layer of love and emotion to the wedding.

Mumbai's Trident Hotel: A Mother's Emotional Journey on Wedding Day

emotional journey India Trident Hotel wedding venue MOB mumbai weddings mumbai bride mother

Wedding photographer in Maissemy captures the emotion-filled moment as the bride and groom react to the mayor's speech during their ceremony at the city hall. This image has been recognized and awarded by the WPJA.

Maissemy City Hall Wedding: Emotion-Filled Moment Captured by Award-Winning Photographer

City hall Maissemy City Hall Wedding Maissemy wedding photography photographer city hall wedding ceremony wedding photographer moment

A bridesmaid comforts her teary-eyed friend during a heartfelt speech, set against the beautiful backdrop of The Woods at Eisler Farms in Butler, PA

The Woods at Eisler Farms in Butler, PA: A Bridesmaid's Gentle Embrace, A Tearful Friendship

speeches comforting Butler PA Documentary Wedding Photography Butler PA emotion Pennsylvania The Woods at Eisler Farms

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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.