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Wedding Photos of Happiness

For Couples / Wedding Photos of Happiness

The following “Happiness” 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 “Happiness” 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.

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In the park of a Budapest, Hungary hotel, the bride and groom share an intimate portrait session, embodying the sentiment of "Just me and you!" in their joyful expressions.
Bride and Groom Embrace 'Just Me and You' Sentiment in Budapest Hotel
BudapestHungary Hotelbride and groomHungaryhappinessportrait sessionBudapest Wedding Portrait
At StoneTree Estate in Novato, California, a couple playfully makes kissy faces during bridal party photos, surrounded by excited friends who joyfully flank them.
Couple Playfully Makes Kissy Faces Amid Joyful Bridal Party at StoneTree Estate, Novato, California
friendsplayfulcamaraderiecelebrationbridal partycapturing playful celebrationNovato CA
A happy bride and groom are smiling as they walk outside. They just got married in Ottawa, Ontario. Guests are throwing flower petals in the air to celebrate. The sun is shining, and everyone looks joyful.
Ottawa Wedding Bliss: Sun-Kissed Newlyweds Celebrate with Joyful Petal Shower
Festivitiescapturing joyful celebrationsunlightOttawa celebrationnewlywedsoutsidehappiness
In Port Washington, Wisconsin, an engaged couple shares a laugh as they embrace tightly. At the photographer's cue, he stands behind her, launching a loving kiss attack, evoking laughter and joy.
Port Washington Couple's Joyful Embrace Captured in Engagement Photo
joyembracekiss attackplayfulromancelaughterWisconsin
At The Atrium in Butler County, PA, the bride and groom's little cousin looks surprised as she discovers a piece of debris stuck to her shoe during the wedding.
Little Cousin's Surprise: Wedding Day Discovery at The Atrium, Butler County, PA
girlDebrisreceptioncousinDiscovering Shoe SurpriseThe Atriumsurprise
At Airlie in Warrenton, VA, the wedding couple shares a laugh during the toasts while seated at the head table. Their joyful reaction adds warmth to the celebratory atmosphere.
Couple's Joyful Moment Warms Airlie Celebration
toastsWarrenton Couplehead tableHead Table Laughterjoyous celebration momentsVirginiaWarrenton
In Trieste, Italy, the wedding couple shares a laugh and ducks for cover as confetti rains down on them while standing on the steps. This joyful moment captures the celebration's festive spirit.
Couple Laughs and Ducks in Joyful Trieste Celebration
momentcoverTrieste weddingTrieste Confetti Photographyfestiveduckingcelebration
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
heartfeltloveheartfelt father bride joyitalian weddingitaly bridehappinessjoy
At Chelsea Town Hall in London, England, the couple shares a kiss as guests shower them with confetti, creating a snow-like effect with white petals falling around. The moment captures the romance and joy of their celebration.
Romantic Celebration Unfolds at Chelsea Town Hall
London Confetti MomentChelsea Town HallUK weddingconfettiguestsjoypetals
At St. Peter's Church in Guernsey, a black-and-white shot captures the bride, her father, and bridesmaids sharing a laugh as they enter. The scene, set in an old-world setting, highlights the joy and anticipation of the moment.
Entering with Laughter: Bride, Father, and Bridesmaids Share Joy at St. Peter's Church
Guernsey Bridebridesmaidslaughclassic wedding momenthappinessGuernseyold world
At the Inn at Long Shore in Westport, CT, the couple shares a laugh during their outdoor ceremony on the grass. The bride exudes joy and connection at this special moment.
Joyful Exchange Highlights Ceremony at the Inn at Long Shore
grassConnecticut CoupleconnectionWestport Joyful CeremonyOutdoorCT WeddingConnecticut
At The Barn at Boyden Farm in Cambridge, VT, the groom's family, seated in the front row, all share a joyful laugh during the wedding ceremony.
Groom's Family Shares Joyful Laugh at Vermont Barn Wedding Ceremony
Cambridge VTTogethernessceremonyjoyful family laughterhappinessfront rowlove
In Istanbul, Turkey, the groom's cousins share a sweet dance, a boy and girl holding hands and spinning in joyful circles. This endearing scene captures the warmth and familial spirit of the celebration.
Groom's Cousins Share Sweet Dance, Capturing Familial Warmth at Istanbul Wedding Celebration Scene
Wedding DancehandsIstanbul ceremonyTurkeyTogethernesswarmthTurkey wedding
At Eton College Chapel, the bride laughs wildly while holding the groom as they walk through a jubilant flurry of confetti. This joyful moment captures the exuberance and delight of their celebration.
Bride Laughs Wildly Amid Confetti Flurry with Groom at Eton College Chapel, Celebrating Exuberant Wedding Joy
English weddingDELIGHTEton WeddingEton College ChapeljoyfulEton Ceremonybride laughing
At Bassin d'Arcachon, the newlyweds on a boat, are met with enthusiastic cheers from their guests. The joyous scene at the docks captures the celebratory spirit and support surrounding the couple on their wedding day.
Newlyweds Receive Cheers from Guests at Bassin d'Arcachon, Capturing Joyous Dockside Wedding Celebration
Joyous Scenedockhappinessboatboatcelebrationatmosphere
At Bassin d'Arcachon, two newlywed couples cross paths after their civil ceremonies. This delightful encounter highlights the shared joy and serendipity of their special days.
Two Newlywed Couples Cross Paths at Bassin d'Arcachon, Showcasing Joy and Serendipity on Special Days
Cross Pathsspecial daysconnectionSerendipityCoincidenceNewlywed Couplescelebration
At Matfen Brewery in Northumberland, UK, the bride plays with her veil outdoors, sharing a moment of joy and laughter with the groom. This lighthearted scene captures their happiness and carefree spirit on their special day.
Bride and Groom Share Laughter as Veil Flutters at Matfen Brewery, Northumberland
Matfen BrewerylightheartedveilNorthumberlandNorthumberland Wedding Photographylaughterhappiness
In Fribourg, Switzerland, the bride and groom joyfully exit the ceremony together, hand in hand, in front of their applauding guests outside by the trees.
Bride, Groom Emerge Hand-in-Hand in Fribourg
scenicbride and groomceremonyatmospherefestiveSwitzerlandlove
In Fribourg, Switzerland, the bride and groom joyfully exit the ceremony together, walking in front of their guests. This moment captures the beginning of their new journey amid applause and warm wishes.
Bride and Groom Joyfully Exit Ceremony in Fribourg, Marking New Journey Amid Applause and Warm Wishes
joyful exitapplausefestivebride and groomscenicloveTogetherness
In Fribourg, Switzerland, at the ceremony, the bride and groom share a kiss. This tender moment marks the beginning of their journey as a married couple, celebrated by the joyful presence of their guests.
Bride and Groom Share Tender Kiss at Fribourg Ceremony, Celebrating Start of Marriage with Joyful Guests
happinessFribourg Gatheringcelebrationtender momentguestsbeginningbride and groom
At Hothorpe Hall in Leicestershire, UK, the bride bursts into laughter during the groom's speech. Her joyous reaction adds warmth and humor to the celebratory atmosphere of their wedding.
Bride's Laughter During Groom's Speech Adds Humor and Warmth to Hothorpe Hall Wedding Celebration
bride laughinghappinesswarmthLeicestershireHothorpe HallHothorpe Hall Weddingatmosphere
In Fribourg, Switzerland, the bride and groom depart the ceremony amidst a shower of dried petals, illuminated by natural sunlight.
Bride and Groom Depart Ceremony in Fribourg Under Sunlit Petal Shower
radiantjoyfulFribourg Wedding Switzerlandatmospheretraditionhappinessbride and groom
The Fribourg, Switzerland bride and groom leave the ceremony under a playful shower of tossed confetti, ducking for cover as they share a joyful moment. The scene captures the festive and lighthearted spirit of the day.
Bride and Groom Duck Under Confetti Shower in Fribourg, Capturing Festive Spirit and Joyful Wedding Moment
loveCheerfulduckinglightheartedfestiveSwiss Celebrationcelebration
At La Corte del Belo in Thiene, the couple shares a toast during the cake-cutting ceremony. This celebratory moment captures their joy and marks a sweet milestone in their wedding festivities.
Couple Shares Toast During Cake-Cutting at La Corte del Belo, Celebrating Sweet Wedding Milestone
sparklersThieneloveMilestoneThiene Eventjoyhappiness
At BijHuub Alkmaar, a joyful grandma congratulates the groom, her face beaming as she tenderly touches his face. The moment captures love and happiness amid the wedding celebration.
Joyful Grandma Beams, Congratulating Groom with Tender Touch at BijHuub Alkmaar Wedding Celebration
Noord HollandcongratulationshappinessatmospherecelebrationBijHuub Alkmaar WeddingAlkmaar
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
excitementloveAlkmaar EventmomentTogethernesshappinessEnthusiastic Bride
In Châteauroux, children joyfully toss confetti in front of the church, adding a festive and playful touch to the occasion. This scene captures the exuberance and innocence of the young participants in the celebration.
Children Joyfully Toss Confetti Outside Church in Châteauroux, Adding Festive Charm to Wedding Celebration
occasionChildrenhappinessCheerfulfestiveChâteaurouxchild
At Castello di Gargonza in Arezzo, the bride and groom walk hand in hand, holding their arms overhead as confetti rains down on them. The couple strolls on the grass beneath the shade of trees, celebrating their joyful union.
Bride and Groom Walk Hand in Hand at Castello di Gargonza, Showered with Confetti Celebration
Joyful unionarms overheadconfetti raingrassTogethernessHand in handCastello di Gargonza
At Locanda Perinella in Vicenza, Italy, the couple holds their glasses in a toast on the grass after cutting the cake. Confetti flies around them, adding to the festive atmosphere and marking this joyful moment in their celebration.
Couple Toasts on Lawn Amid Confetti Celebration After Cake Cutting at Locanda Perinella in Vicenza
cake cuttingVicenza FestivityloveCheerfulVicenzagrassLocanda Perinella
At the Church of La Grande Motte, during the wedding celebration, a young boy and girl gaze up at father with a loving expression, reflecting happiness about parents' union. This tender moment captures the joy and familial love.
Children Gaze Lovingly at Father During Church of La Grande Motte Wedding, Celebrating Parents' Union with Joy
celebrationSentimentfamilial loveHeraultFrench ceremonyLa Grande Motte Eventatmosphere

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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.