Wedding Photos of Excitement

The following “Excitement” 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 “Excitement” 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.

In Mallorca, an engaged couple shares a joyful portrait session on a rocky paved path with steps. He lifts her off the ground in a loving hug, capturing their excitement and connection amidst the picturesque landscape.

Engaged Couple in Mallorca Enjoys Joyful Portrait Session on Rocky Path | He Lifts Her in Loving Hug, Capturing Excitement and Connection

In Istanbul, Turkey, a dynamic low-angle detail shot captures the exciting moment as many hands reach skyward, eagerly attempting to catch the falling bouquet, with the flower cluster descending against the backdrop of the white sky.

Hands Reach for Bouquet in Dynamic Low-Angle Shot Against White Sky in Istanbul

Turkey wedding bouquet in descent reaching hands excitement bouquet catching scene Istanbul Istanbul bouquet toss excitement

At Domaine Santa Maria in Villefranque, France, the newlyweds kick off their first dance with a lively disco style, bringing energy and excitement to the celebration as they take to the dance floor.

Newlyweds Begin Lively Disco-Style First Dance, Energizing Celebration at Domaine Santa Maria in Villefranque, France

disco style Santa Maria dance floor excitement vibrant wedding dance Villefranque disco dance Domaine Santa Maria lively Villefranque scene

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'

brotherhood Lille pre wedding camaraderie Lille brotherly preparation excitement Lille preparation groom Nord

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

single ladies bouquet grass Verona Verona Wedding Exciting Moment Capture celebration

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

excitement blue hour bouquet gathering Twilight Bouquet Capture Gorgo Al Monticano single 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

handbag Dream Mondonville preparation mother daughter moment adjusting shared anticipation capture

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

Brazil wedding seaside romantic coastal atmosphere Capela dos Milagres ceremony Seaside Ceremony Photography atmosphere

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

smiles anticipation french wedding wedding Sisterly Bonding Moment Mondonville Preparation Joy Écuries de la Tour

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

ceremony Tuscany Joyful Arrival reaction anticipation Italy Villa di Ulignano love

At a marquee wedding in Lincolnshire, England, wedding guests and the groom are having a sack race on the grass, with a woman holding out her arms as the finish line.

Sack Race Fun at a Lincolnshire Marquee Wedding: Groom Races to the Finish Line

joy UK wedding festive grass laughter sack race Lincolnshire

At Camp Katur in Yorkshire, England, young wedding guests joyfully play with bubbles. The playful scene adds a touch of delight to the celebration.

Young Guests Bring Playful Joy to Camp Katur Wedding

laughter Bedale UK North Yorkshire Joyful Celebration Scene cheer playful Yorkshire

At a marquee wedding in Cambridgeshire, England, a female wedding guest wearing a cowboy hat entertains attendees as she rides a mechanical bull. The lively scene adds a fun and adventurous twist to the festivities.

Guest in Cowboy Hat Thrills Crowds at Cambridgeshire Wedding

guest UK wedding Cambridgeshire Wedding joy adventurous excitement England

At Owen House Barn in Manchester, UK, a group of bridesmaids enjoy a flask drink together while getting ready, observed by an older woman. The scene captures the blend of youthful excitement and nurturing guidance.

Bridesmaids Share Laughter and Tradition at Owen House Barn

fun Greater Manchester drink Manchester older woman nurturing flask

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

Westport CT Westport Connecticut Wedding little girl warmth atmosphere anticipation

At the Inn at the Round Barn in Waitsfield, VT, the bride playfully gives a piggyback ride to her bridesmaid on the festive dance floor. The lively moment encapsulates the joyous energy of the celebration.

Bride Gives Bridesmaid a Piggyback Ride at The Inn at the Round Barn

bridesmaid Round Barn VT celebration Waitsfield VT festive Lively Wedding Atmosphere inn

At Tanglewood in Lenox, MA, the bride is joyfully lifted into the air during the reception on a lively dance floor. The festive party scene captures the exuberance and celebration of the evening.

Bride Joyfully Lifted at Tanglewood Reception in Lenox, Highlighting Exuberant Wedding Celebration Scene

MA wedding Massachusetts wedding atmosphere party dance floor Joyous Celebration Scene Massachusetts

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.

groom priest Solemn Wedding Moment Solemnity italian wedding ceremonial excitement anticipation

At Parco dei Cimini in Soriano (VT), a friend of the bride carefully places the veil on her while surrounded by attentive friends. The scene, set in a room with unusual lamps, combines excitement with a touch of the surreal.

Friend Attends Bride’s Veil in Surreal Parco dei Cimini Room, Amid Eager Friends and Unusual Lamps

intimate italian wedding Viterbo weddings Exciting Bridal Preparation Viterbo moment Unusual Lamps

At Chateau de Jalesnes, France, the groom dramatically opens a champagne bottle with a saber as the cork flies through the frame. Nearby, a tower of glasses awaits the celebratory pour, encapsulating the elegance and excitement of the moment.

Groom Sabers Champagne Bottle at Chateau de Jalesnes Celebration, Adding Elegance to Exciting Moment

excitement France groom Cork Dramatic tower glasses Elegance

In Foca, Turkey, the bride kicks off the celebration by dancing alone on the dance floor, arms overhead, ready to get the party started.

Bride's Solo Dance Kicks Off Foca, Turkey Wedding Celebration

celebration joyful party happy Turkey wedding turkey bride excitement

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

women excitement bouquet toss Unity Istanbul celebration captured moment

At Stokes Farm Barn in Wokingham, guests relish the challenge of a limbo contest amid the lively evening party. The nighttime setting enhances the joyous and spirited mood of the celebration.

A Stokes Farm Barn in Wokingham challenge of a limbo

Berkshire joyous lively festivity Stokes Farm Barn spirited Wokingham

At a wedding in Recanati, during the cake moment, the groom exuberantly sprays champagne as his wife looks on nearby. This lively scene captures the joy and celebratory spirit of the occasion.

Groom Sprays Champagne During Cake Moment at Recanati Wedding, Capturing Joy and Celebration Spirit

Recanati Wedding Italy festivity Macerata Recanati Event atmosphere Italian Celebration

At Gasfabriek Alkmaar, the bride cheers enthusiastically after saying "yes," raising her hand, clasped with the groom's, overhead. This triumphant moment highlights the joy and excitement of their union.

Bride Cheers Enthusiastically at Gasfabriek Alkmaar, Raising Hand with Groom Highlighting Joy of Union

celebration elation Triumphant union atmosphere Noord Holland excitement

At Kingdom in Kent, UK, the bride and groom joyfully open a bottle of champagne, sending its contents spraying into the air and creating a lively scene that partially obscures them and their bridal party flanking them.

Lively Celebration: Champagne Showers Envelop Bride, Groom, and Bridal Party at Kingdom in Kent, UK Wedding

bridal party joyful Cheerful bottle atmosphere fun love

En route to their reception in Switzerland, the couple is captured traveling by helicopter. This unique mode of transport adds an adventurous and iconic touch to their special day, set against the stunning Swiss landscape.

Couple Makes Grand Entrance to Swiss Wedding Reception Via Helicopter, Embracing an Adventurous Journey

adventure iconic flight unique air couple scenic

At Kingdom in Kent, UK, a tight shot captures the groom's joyful face as guests reach their hands towards him in a celebratory gesture. This moment highlights the excitement and communal spirit of the occasion.

Groom's Elation Captured Amid Joyous Guest Celebrations at Kingdom in Kent Wedding Ceremony

groom Kingdom energetic atmosphere Togetherness connection Kent Celebration

At Domaine de Villary, the bride and groom at the champagne cascade. This elegant moment captures the excitement and celebration as they join their loved ones amid a backdrop of sparkling festivities.

Bride and Groom Toast at Champagne Cascade, Celebrating Elegance and Joy at Domaine de Villary Wedding

excitement Togetherness bride and groom french wedding loved ones sophisticated Domaine de Villary Wedding

At Château de Puech-Haut, the bride delightfully participates in an improvised "paquito," fearlessly taking the plunge into the crowd for some light-hearted crowd surfing. This spontaneous moment adds a unique and festive flair to the wedding celebration.

Bride Joins in Fun with "Paquito" Crowd Surfing at Château de Puech-Haut, Adding Festive Flair

Puech Haut Event celebration fearless Improvised Paquito Saint Drézéry atmosphere laughter

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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.