Wedding Photos of Emotional

The following “Emotional” 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 “Emotional” 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 heartwarming moment is immortalized as a bride affectionately kisses her son during a first look at a private home in Newport, RI USA on her wedding day.

Emotional First Look: Bride Tenderly Kisses Son at Private Home in Newport, RI USA

A beautiful wedding moment at Quinta de Monfalim in Sobral de Monte Agraço, Portugal, as the couple cuts their cake surrounded by guests holding sparklers, culminating in a heartfelt embrace, captured at the venue amidst emotional connections.

Sparkling Sparklers Surrounded: Quinta De Monfalim Cake Cutting Embrace in Sobral De Monte Agraço

beautiful Culminating fireworks bride and groom Portugal wedding photography emotional Quinta de Monfalim

Emotional moment at The Estate at River Run, Maidens VA, as the mother assists the bride with her gown - a tender black and white shot from the wedding day.

Tender Motherly Help: Bride's Emotional Gown Prep at The Estate, River Run, Maidens VA

Maidens Wedding Moment mother The Estate at River Run Maidens Bride tender gown bw

A tender moment between a bride and her father at Basalt Golf Club, captured as they share a heartfelt gaze before walking down the aisle on her wedding day.

Heartfelt Gaze: Bride and Father Share Tender Moment at Basalt Golf Club Before Aisle Walk

love Memorable Colorado father connection special moment Events

A tender moment was captured at the Moretti Adimari venue, as the bride share heartfelt hugs and toasts in the beautiful outdoor setting following their ceremony.

Heartfelt Hugs and Toasts: A Tender Moment at Moretti Adimari Venue Outdoor Celebration

cherished hug touching heartwarming blissful love Piedmont

Bride, groom, and bridesmaid with a red umbrella leave bride's childhood home 'Wang Tao House' in Tai Po, Hong Kong, heading to the ceremony venue in sentimental image capturing a traditional moment on the wedding day.

Sentimental Moment: Bride, Groom, and Bridesmaid Leave Childhood Home 'Wang Tao House' in Tai Po

ceremony venue family Tai Po Hong Kong memories love Traditional

A touching moment between a bride and her father as she adjusts her veil in the mirror at Bellevue Club in Oakland, California, on her wedding day.

Bride and Father's Emotional Mirror Moment at Bellevue Club in Oakland, California Wedding

relationships mirror family Oakland bride love hotel room

Emotional black and white wedding photo of bride and groom sharing an intimate moment by touching foreheads at their civil ceremony in Borchen, Paderborn.

Whispers of Love: Bride and Groom Embrace in Borchen Civil Ceremony, Paderborn

emotional intimate black and white whispers foreheads North Rhine-Westphalia ceremony

Emotional moment captured at Malibou Lake Lodge in Agoura Hills, CA, as the parents of the bride and groom wipe away tears during the outdoor wedding ceremony.

Parents' Emotional Moment at Malibou Lake Lodge Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

celebration Malibou Lake Lodge lodge groom sitting candid outdoor ceremony

Emotional black and white wedding image in Belpasso capturing a tender moment between the bride and her parents, frozen in time.

Tender Moment of Bride with Parents: Emotion-filled Black and White at Belpasso

parents BW photography Catania special bond tender moment wedding Sentimental

In Buckinghamshire, UK, a heartfelt moment unfolds as a grandmother lovingly straightens the groom's tie, while he humbly kneels before her on his wedding day.

Grandmother's Tender Touch: Buckinghamshire, UK Wedding Moment with Groom and Tie Adjustment

groom love affection England Adjustment grandmother tender

High angle shot of the bride writing a letter to her husband at Dockside Guest Quarters in York, Maine, on their wedding day.

Bride's Intimate Letter Writing Moment at Dockside Guest Quarters, York, Maine Wedding

high angle shot emotional writing dockside bride Maine York ME

The Vienne wedding preparations - the bride is surrounded by her attendants in a cozy room at home, adjusting her dress for the ceremony.

Elegance in Vienne: Bride And Attendants Prepare in Cozy Home For Wedding Ceremony

joyful Traditional Vienne Wedding Moment attendants cozy room Elegance beautiful

Wedding day moment at Millfields Farm Venue: Groom reading vows to bride during indoor ceremony, captured in a charming black and white style for a timeless touch.

Charming Black and White: Groom's Vow Reading to Bride at Millfields Farm Venue

indoor Derbyshire groom vows bw Wedding Photo ceremony bride

Newlyweds exiting a gazebo ceremony at Castelvecchio, Sagrado, Gorizia, Italy, captured in a candid moment as guests shower them with rice, creating a joyful and authentic scene.

Candid Joy: Newlyweds Exiting Castelvecchio Gazebo Ceremony in Sagrado, Gorizia, Italy Amidst Rice Shower

Gorizia candid moment Castelvecchio Sagrado ceremony marriage newlyweds

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

emotional tears church Nanping Wedding Moment girl memories tender

A couple shares a spontaneous kiss on the dance floor during a wedding celebration at Amar Casamentos in Juquehy, Brazil.

Passionate Kiss: Juquehy Wedding at Amar Casamentos Captures Couple's Love on the Dance Floor

love Juquehy kiss emotional affection spontaneous happy

A captivating photo captured during a São Paulo, Brazil wedding, featuring love and resilience taking center stage as the newlyweds share a cake-cutting moment surrounded by jubilant guests at the venue.

Love and Resilience: Newlyweds Share Cake-Cutting Moment at São Paulo Wedding Celebration

special wedding photo love jubilant memories guests cake cutting São Paulo

Emotional bride shedding tears while embracing groom at Woodlands in Cottonwood Canyon Bozeman MT, captured in a timeless black and white photograph on their wedding day.

Tears of Love: Emotional Bride Embracing Groom in Timeless Black and White at Woodlands Bozeman

groom black and white happiness memory emotional moment love

A beautiful moment frozen in time as the bride gets ready with help from her stylist on her wedding day at the venue in Rho, Milan, Italy.

Captivating Bride: Getting Ready with Stylist in Rho, Milan, Italy Wedding Venue

stylist timeless bride Milan wedding photography elegant wedding photography venue

A candid shot of a bride and groom shedding tears during their outdoor wedding ceremony at Saint Joseph de Riviere, France, seated in matching rattan wicker chairs, capturing a raw and emotional moment

Emotional Tears: Bride and Groom's Raw Moment in Saint Joseph de Riviere, France

Isere Wedding Moment Outdoor Outdoor wedding photo Isere Saint Joseph de Riviere rattan emotional

In a wedding photo at Planet Hollywood, Goa, India, a bride, who is a dog trainer, shares an emotional moment with her beloved Indie dog, 'Panty', who served as the ring bearer on her special day.

Emotional Goa Wedding: Bride, Dog Trainer, Panty the Indie Dog at Planet Hollywood

pet love wedding photo India dog trainer Planet Hollywood Goa goa bride beloved

A unique perspective of the first dance at The Lalit, Udaipur, on a wedding day, captured in a timeless black and white photograph with a low angle shot, evoking nostalgia and elegance.

Elegant First Dance Bliss at The Lalit, Udaipur: Timeless Black and White Romance

classic Udaipur Wedding Moment Udaipur bw romance artistic black and white

A candid shot of a traditional Indian wedding ceremony in Hyderabad, capturing the emotional moment as the bride receives blessings between her parents while the groom waits on the other side of the symbolic purdah veil, a touching wedding image.

Emotional Blessings: Traditional Indian Wedding Ceremony in Hyderabad Captures Bride's Tender Moment

touching veil Traditional purdah blessings groom candid

A heartwarming black and white photo from a Hyannis, MA wedding captures a touching moment between a bride and her father, showcasing the emotional bond and connection shared on this special day.

Capturing the Embrace: Tender Moment Between Bride and Father at Hyannis, MA Wedding

Dad heartwarming connection Cape Cod father emotional Massachusetts

A wedding photograph taken in Ellsworth, Maine, showing the couple stealing a quiet session together by the lake just before a rain shower arrives.

Stealing a Quiet Moment: Idyllic Ellsworth Lakeside Wedding Before Rainstorm arrives

stolen session tender natural heartfelt shower Ellsworth ME lake

Emotional documentary-style photo taken on the wedding day in Marietta, GA, capturing a touching moment as the ring bearer sheds tears before walking down the church aisle.

Tears of Joy: Emotional Wedding Moment in Marietta, GA Captured During Ring Bearer's Procession

documentary wedding photo ceremony touching Marietta GA candid emotional moment

A touching moment unfolds as the bride's son lovingly assists her with her shoes in a nostalgic black and white wedding day photograph taken at the venue in Milano.

Bride's Son Helps with Shoes: Tender Moment Captured in Milan Wedding Venue, Vintage Style

Milan wedding photography black white candid family venue assistance bride

A bride tenderly comforts her emotional groom in the natural beauty of Gray's Crossing, Truckee CA, surrounded by lush green grass and shade trees on a sunny day.

Emotional Groom Finds Comfort in Bride's Love in Truckee

green love comfort wedding California - Northern groom shade trees

A touching moment captured at the Southern Bleachery wedding venue in Taylors, SC, as the groom is moved to turn away briefly to compose himself during the emotional ceremony.

Emotional Groom's Brief Intermission Steals Spotlight in Taylors, SC Southern Bleachery Wedding

touching moment Taylors SC marriage photos South Carolina Southern Bleachery wedding venue SC Taylors SC wedding photographer emotional ceremony

Pages

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.