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.

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

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

blur effect slow shutter Aman Hotel Venice Bride and father Venice wedding photography bw photo

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

dj wedding first dance Lights vibrant bride Roissard

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

Emotional Picture emotions love marriage couple Unforgettable Moment first dance first dance

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

wedding reception marriage couple guests watching first dance dark background Switzerland wedding photography first dance

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

black and white Baronesse Gorizia Tacco Gorizia Italy captured venue reception white dress

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

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

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

DJ stage Greater Manchester spotlights Jewish Wedding elegant setting Manchester wedding photography first dance

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

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

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

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

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

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

photo booth costumes Switzerland Fribourg Wedding Photography 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

romantic ambiance Kansas City United States first dance reflection setting sun Kansas City wedding photography

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

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

At The Equinox Resort in Manchester, VT, the award-winning WPJA photographer captures the intimate moment of the happy newlyweds, standing with their loved ones watching on, during their first dance.

Intimate Moment of Newlyweds During First Dance at Equinox Resort in Manchester, VT

guests watching Vermont dance floor first dance The Equinox Resort Vermont wedding photography Manchester VT

A glimpse into the intimate moment of the newlyweds' first dance at the Bridge House Barn in Leicestershire. The low lighting adds to the atmosphere of the occasion.

Newlyweds share intimate first dance at Bridge House Barn in Leicestershire

Leicestershire Bridge House Barn intimate moment first dance Leicestershire wedding photography low lighting

The wedding image captures a dance moment at Château de Poudenas in France. The bride and groom's first dance is a romantic one, with the groom's hand resting gently on the open back of the bride's dress.

Romantic Gesture Captured in Wedding Photograph at Château de Poudenas

Lot et Garonne Wedding Photography first dance dance Poudenas Chateau de Poudenas Lot-et-Garonne

This stunning wedding photo captures the joy and love of a special day at Les Rhodos, La Clusaz. Illuminated by purple DJ lights, the couple and their loved ones embrace on the dance floor before their first dance.

Les Rhodos Wedding Celebrates Love Under Purple Lights in La Clusaz Documentary Shot

La Clusaz Haute-Savoie purple lights Les Rhodos dance floor DJ lights La Clusaz Wedding Photography

A newlywed couple takes center stage for their first dance at their Phuket wedding reception. The grand ballroom glows with warm tones, exuding an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication.

Phuket ballroom transforms into a romantic backdrop for couple's first dance

Thailand Phuket Elegance sophistication grand ballroom Phuket Wedding photography warm tones

This wedding image captures the charm of a couple's first dance as husband and wife in the enchanting outdoors of Chiangmai, Thailand. The twinkling lights illuminating the surrounding trees add a romantic touch to the celebration.

Enchanting First Dance: A Wedding Moment in the Outdoors of Chiangmai, Thailand

twinkling lights romantic Thailand Chiangmai Chiangmai Wedding Photography first dance illuminated trees

Photograph capturing the bride and groom's intimate first dance at The Pastures Hotel wedding. Professional black and white image showcasing the love between the couple.

Captured Elegance: The Pastures Hotel Bride and Groom's Intimate First Dance in Stunning Monochrome

first dance Mexborough black and white Hotel Reception Mexborough Wedding Photographer South Yorkshire The Pastures Hotel

Photograph taken at The Pastures Hotel capturing the bride and groom's intimate first dance in low light. A beautiful moment of love captured by the photographer.

Enchanting First Dance: Bride and Groom Sparkle in Low-Light at The Pastures Hotel Wedding

The Pastures Hotel Mexborough Wedding Photography low light intimate South Yorkshire darkened room Mexborough

A wedding photographer captured a beautiful moment at a wedding in Haut de la Fregate, Agen, Lot et Garonne. The photo shows the couple's first dance under colorful and dramatic lighting.

Ethereal Moment: Newlyweds' First Dance Illuminated in Haut de la Fregate, Agen, Lot et Garonne

Agen Reception Photography Agen dramatic lighting first dance darkened room Lot-et-Garonne Haut de la Fregate

Wedding photo captured at Cape Fahn Hotel in Samui, Thailand, depicting the couple's first dance outdoors at night with a stunning display of fireworks in the background.

Stunning Fireworks Light Up Night Sky as Couple Dances Outdoors at Cape Fahn Hotel

Thailand first dance couple night sky outdoors Cape Fahn Hotel Samui

At a private home in Treviso, Italy, children delight in the magic of the bride and groom's first dance, adding an endearing touch of innocence and joy to the reception festivities.

Whimsical First Dance: Children's Delight at a Treviso Villa Wedding

reception festivities Treviso Wedding Photography Treviso Private home first dance Treviso Wedding Moment Children

A heartwarming wedding scene unfolds as the couple shares their first dance at Quinta do Roseiral in Ericeira, Portugal, with children watching in awe as they float on the fog.

Magical First Dance Unfolds at Quinta do Roseiral in Ericeira, Portugal with Awe-Struck Children

haze first dance Children couple Ericeira heartwarming wedding scene

Aerial view of the first dance taking place in a charming garden setting at the Bride's parents private house in St Ives, UK, beautifully showcasing the outdoor wooden deck dance floor during a lovely wedding celebration.

Enchanting First Dance in Lush Garden Setting at Private House in St Ives, UK

bride celebration St Ives Wedding Moment private enchanting Charming aerial view

Bride gracefully dips during first dance at the wedding venue of Calke Abbey Riding School, captured in a timeless black and white style, adding a touch of vintage charm to the romantic moment.

Graceful First Dance Dip at Calke Abbey Riding School: Timeless Vintage Charm in Black & White

Calke Abbey Riding School reception venue Derby timeless UK black and white vintage

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 classic love Slovenia newlyweds floor intimate

An elegant wedding scene captured at The Sanya Edition Hotel in China, as the couple's niece watches attentively during their first dance, adding a sweet touch to the celebration.

Lovely Niece Observes Adoringly: First Dance Magic at The Sanya Edition Hotel in China

happiness scene hotel memories Sanya Wedding Moment wedding photo dancing moment

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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.