Wedding Photos of First dance

The following “First dance” 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 “First dance” 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.

The scene captures the newlyweds gracefully dancing on the floor at the Noraburi beach resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, earning a well-deserved WPJA Spotlight award.

Serenade by the Sea: Newlyweds' Dance at Noraburi Beach Resort

A joyful moment captured at Sugarbush Resort as the newly wed couple shares their first dance as husband and wife, a memory they will cherish forever.

Newlywed Couple Shares First Dance at Sugarbush Resort Captured in Joyful Moment

cherish Sugarbush Resort Vermont Forever moment joyful Newlywed couple VT venue

An intimate moment captured in black and white at Ataköy, Istanbul, as the bride and groom share their first dance under romantic string lights at their reception.

Bride and Groom's First Dance Under String Lights in Ataköy, Istanbul

bride and groom Atakoy Wedding Photography Istanbul Ataköy bw image first dance strings of lights

At the reception, the newlyweds shared their first dance under the stars in a picture-perfect scene with a symmetrical frame, captured in the soft glow of the low light.

Newlyweds Share First Dance Under Starlit Sky in Perfectly Framed Reception

captured symmetrical frame newlyweds soft glow low light reception under the stars

A bride falls during her first dance at an outdoor Woodland wedding, surrounded by guests.

Bride playfully recovers from fall during first dance at vibrant Woodland wedding

uk wedding photography outdoor wedding first dance United Kingdom Woodland Bride falls

Newlyweds Share Intimate First Dance at Hülshoff, Lippstadt, Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia Lippstadt Germany first dance intimate dance Lippstadt Wedding Photography Hulshoff Restaurant

In Florence, the newlyweds share a quiet, intimate first dance illuminated by the soft glow of blue spotlights in the reception venue of Tuscany.

Newlyweds Share First Dance in Dreamy Tuscany Reception Venue Lit by Blue Spotlights

illuminated dance reception venue blue spotlights Florence first dance intimate first dance dreamy Tuscany

Newlyweds share a joyous first dance in Eskisehir, Turkey, celebrating the start of their journey together.

Newlyweds Share Joyous First Dance in Eskisehir, Turkey, Celebrating Their New Journey Together

joy Eskisehir Wedding Photography Turkey eye contact Hand in hand first dance smiles

Capturing the newlyweds' first dance at Voewood Estate in Norfolk, UK, with a breathtaking aerial view of the couple dancing on a rustic wooden floor.

Breathtaking Aerial View Captures Newlyweds' First Dance on Rustic Wooden Floor at Voewood Estate in Norfolk, UK

wooden floor aerial view high angle Voewood Estate couple dancing dance floor first dance

At Fanhams Hall, the bride and groom share their first dance on the reception venue dance floor, surrounded by a festive party scene that celebrates their union.

Bride and Groom Share First Dance on Festive Reception Dance Floor, Celebrating Their Union at Fanhams Hall

Hertfordshire Fanhams Hall first dance dance floor Ware UK reception venue festive party

At Mountain Top Resort, Vermont, the newlyweds shared their first dance, the love and excitement shining through as they moved in the crowd.

Newlyweds' First Dance at Mountain Top Resort in Vermont Captures Hearts

Vermont Reception Image Chittenden Documentary Wedding Photography first dance Chittenden framed between people Vermont Mountain Top Resort

Newlyweds share their first dance under the stage lights at Bosphorus Palace in Istanbul, as they sway on the black and white checked floor.

Newlyweds Share First Dance Under Glowing Stage Lights at Bosphorus Palace in Istanbul

Bosphorus Palace Istanbul wedding photography first dance Istanbul stage lights checkered floor

Schloss Hohenlimburg, Hagen, Germany - The couple shares their first dance at their wedding celebration.

The First Dance at Schloss Hohenlimburg, Hagen, Germany

purple lights Schloss Hohenlimburg Hagen Germany first dance hagen wedding photography

A couple begins their first dance at their wedding reception at the picturesque Castello Durini, surrounded by an energetic and lively atmosphere.

Newlyweds Take the Dance Floor at Stunning Castello Durini Reception

energetic Castello Durini Como Wedding Photography Como first dance lively atmosphere Fabbrica Durini

At the Housing Works Bookstore & Cafe in NYC, the groom lifts his bride into the air with joy during the finale of their first dance.

Newlyweds Soar with Love at Housing Works Bookstore & Cafe Wedding in NYC

NYC wedding photography New York City - Metro lifting bride first dance finale Housing Works Bookstore and Cafe bookstore reception first dance

In La Arbolada, Santa Fe, Argentina, the newlyweds' first dance was captured in a beautiful photo, showing them in a tight embrace and sharing a loving kiss at the center of the dance floor

Newlyweds Share an Intimate First Dance in Stunning Shot by Santa Fe Photographer

first dance tight embrace Santa Fe-AR La Arbolada Santa Fe Wedding Photography dance floor Argentina

At the wedding reception in Poitiers, Vienne, the newlyweds gracefully take to the dance floor with purple lights for their first dance as husband and wife.

Vienne's Dreamy Purple Lights Cast Romantic Glow on First Dance as Newlyweds

Vienne dance floor elegant purple lights DJ lights Poitiers Wedding Photography first dance

A bride and her father share a moment during their first dance at Aman Hotel in Venice. The slow shutter creates a blur effect in this black and white photo.

Father-Daughter Dance at Aman Hotel in Venice Caught in Timeless Photo

Venice Aman Hotel Venice wedding photography Bride and father blur effect first dance slow shutter

At Domaine de Messenas in Roissard, Isère, France, the bride and groom share a romantic first dance, illuminated by vibrant DJ lights.

A Romantic First Dance at Domaine de Messenas in Isère

wedding silhouettes bride dj Lights Roissard first dance

In Zurich, Switzerland, the first dance of the couple was filled with a range of emotions.

An Unforgettable Moment: A Glimpse at the Couple's Emotional First Dance in Zurich, Switzerland

first dance wedding reception love Unforgettable Moment guests watching dark background emotions

An Unforgettable Moment: A Glimpse at the Couple's Emotional First Dance in Zurich, Switzerland

guests watching Unforgettable Moment marriage couple emotions Emotional Picture wedding reception love

The happy couple is dancing the night away at their wedding reception at Baronesse Tacco in San Floriano del Collio, Gorizia, Italy, as captured in this striking black and white low angle shot.

Happily Ever After in San Floriano del Collio: Stunning Black and White Image of Newlyweds' First Dance

Baronesse Tacco captured black and white emotion suit first dance romance

The bride and groom gracefully share their first dance at the elegant East Keswick Village Hall in Leeds, UK.

Bride and Groom Share First Dance at Elegant East Keswick Village Hall in Leeds, UK

Leeds West Yorkshire first dance United Kingdom East Keswick Village Hall elegant Leeds Wedding Photography

Amidst the elegant setting of Midland Hotel in Manchester, a Jewish wedding couple shares their first dance, bathed in the vibrant spotlights of the DJ stage.

Vibrant First Dance at Midland Hotel: Jewish Newlyweds Light Up the Stage

Midland Hotel spotlights first dance Greater Manchester Manchester wedding photography elegant setting DJ stage

In Lijiang, Yunnan, China, the newly married couple had their first dance at the hotel, impressing their guests with a choreographed routine.

Lijiang, Yunnan, China | Newlyweds' Spectacular First Dance at Hotel

Yunnan Wedding Photography China choreographed first dance first dance Lijiang hotel reception Yunnan Yunnan

Newlyweds joyfully dance their first dance at Hampton Court House in the UK, with the bride twirling her elegant dress around her.

Elegant First Dance: Newlyweds Celebrate at Hampton Court House in the UK

London first dance London wedding photography Hampton Court House twirling dress Elegance

Newlyweds gliding across the dance floor at Cloughjordan House in Ireland. The groom twirls the bride in a joyful, fun, and playful first dance, captured by the wedding photographer.

Picture Perfect Moment: Wedding Photographer Captures Playful First Dance in Ireland

dance floor Cloughjordan House couple dancing Ireland wedding photography Ireland first dance

Newlyweds enjoying their first dance at a charming reception in Fribourg, Switzerland, donning fun photo booth costumes to add a playful touch.

Newlyweds Don Creative Costumes for Memorable First Dance at Fribourg Reception in Switzerland

Fribourg Wedding Photography Switzerland photo booth costumes first dance playful touch Fribourg

Wedding reception in Kansas City, the bride and groom share their first dance as the sun sets, creating a romantic ambiance. Their elegant movements are captured in a stunning reflection.

Bride and Groom's Elegant First Dance in Kansas City Wedding Reception

reflection Kansas City wedding photography Kansas City Elegance first dance setting sun United States

In an idyllic setting at Saratoga Springs in Saratoga, CA, the happy couple shares their first dance, surrounded by delicately hung paper cranes. Captured by an award-winning WPJA photographer.

Happy couple's mesmerizing first dance amid delicate paper cranes at Saratoga Springs, CA

Saratoga Springs Venue Saratoga CA first dance Saratoga wedding photography California - Northern idyllic setting paper cranes

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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.