Wedding Photos of Illuminated

The following “Illuminated” 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 “Illuminated” 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 Domaine de Ribaute in Lieuran-lès-Béziers, France, the bride is captured playing with a LED tube during the evening party, with a dark scene illuminated by blue, purple, and pink lights.

Bride’s LED Tube Dance at Domaine de Ribaute, Lieuran-lès-Béziers, France

In the bustling city of San Francisco, a couple shares a romantic kiss in the tranquil city park, illuminated by the golden urban sunlight.

Golden Hour Romance in San Francisco City Park

urban golden sunlight palm tree San Francisco Engagement Portrait illuminated City Park San Francisco

Embracing the romantic ambiance of Fort Collins, Colorado, this engagement portrait captures a couple in Old Town at sunset, with her tenderly holding his arm, beautifully illuminated by the photographer.

Embracing the Charm of Old Town: Engaging Fort Collins Portrait at Sunset

sunset illuminated Colorado fort collins engagement photography Fort Collins romantic ambiance

A breathtaking night portrait of a stylish couple walking down the front steps of the Library of Congress in Washington DC on their wedding day. The elegant pair is beautifully illuminated by soft lighting, creating a romantic and memorable scene.

Romantic Night Portrait: Stylish Couple Descending Library of Congress Steps, Washington DC Wedding Day

library walking romantic Memorable steps stairs stylish

A beautiful bride illuminated by sunlight streaming through a window and a door, at the Château du Boisrenault on her wedding day, ready to join guests at the town hall.

Radiant Bride Glows at Château du Boisrenault, Eager to Marry at Town Hall with Guests

radiant Chateau bw Town Hall illuminated beautiful bride sunlight

Bridal party getting ready in the golden morning light at Shanghai Aman Resort, China, bridesmaids illuminated in a soft glow, a serene and elegant scene captured on a wedding day.

Golden Morning Glow: Bridal Party Primping at Shanghai Aman Resort, China

wedding day glow bridesmaids morning light Resort illuminated elegant

A romantic couple embracing in front of a starlit wall on their wedding day at a Moselle reception hall. The bride and groom share a kiss in a beautifully illuminated setting, in an unforgettable scene.

Starlit Splendor: Romantic Couple Embracing in Front of Moselle Reception Hall at Night

embracing Starlit wedding reception Moselle Wedding Portrait bride unforgettable

A romantic couple embracing in a beautiful silhouette on their wedding day at a stunning wedding venue in Gelderland, Netherlands. The background is illuminated with a soft blue gel, creating a dreamy and enchanting atmosphere.

Enchanting Silhouette: Romantic Couple Embracing at Stunning Wedding Venue in Gelderland, Netherlands

marriage love Gelderland romantic Blue Gel venue silhouette

A romantic couple in New Jersey enjoys a candlelight dinner, captured by a NJ wedding photographer. The intimate indoor setting is illuminated by soft lighting, creating a warm and cozy ambiance with beautiful bokeh.

Captured Romance: Candlelit Love in New Jersey by Skilled Wedding Photographer

New Jersey couple bokeh New Jersey engagement photographer candlelight dinner soft lighting New Jersey intimate setting

A captivating pre-wedding engagement portrait in the heart of Toulouse, France. Amidst the iconic red bricks, this city center picture showcases the couple's love as they stand illuminated by the golden sunlight.

Urban Love Illuminated: A Captivating Couple Portrait in the Heart of Toulouse, France

Haute Garonne Engagement Photography illuminated France Engaged couple portrait Toulouse engagements sunlight Toulouse

Urban Love Illuminated: A Captivating Couple Portrait in the Heart of Toulouse, France

Golden Toulouse illuminated Toulouse Engagement Portrait Toulouse engagements stand Engaged couple portrait

Lifestyle couple portrait at Flagstaff Mountain, Boulder, CO. Couple poses against the picturesque Colorado Mountain backdrop at dusk, illuminated by a photographer's light creating striking silhouettes.

GLAMOROUS ENGAGEMENT | STRIKING SILHOUETTES | FLAGSTAFF MOUNTAIN BOULDER CO.

silhouettes rocks Colorado photographer silhouettes dusk Flagstaff Mountain Boulder CO Flagstaff Mountain

Lifestyle couple portrait at Flagstaff Mountain, Boulder, CO. A couple strikes poses against a scenic Colorado Mountain backdrop, expertly illuminated by the photographer just before the twilight hours.

STUNNING ROMANCE: CAPTIVATING COUPLE PORTRAIT AGAINST FLAGSTAFF MOUNTAIN SCENERY

illuminated ocf Flagstaff Mountain photography Flagstaff Mountain picturesque backdrop couple portrait poses Colorado mountain views

Lifestyle couple portrait at Bear Lake, RMNP CO, featuring a couple posing against the scenic beauty of Colorado mountains. The photographer creatively illuminates the subjects, enhancing their presence in the frame.

BREATHTAKING BEAR LAKE | Enchanting Engagement Portraits in Rocky Mountain National Park

Bear Lake lifestyle engagement photography portraits at Bear Lake engagement session ocf illuminated RMNP CO

A couple about to wed had their engagement portrait session at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, with the stunning mountainous backdrop providing the perfect setting for them to dance and play on a rock by the water.

ENCHANTED ENGAGEMENT: ROMANTIC ROCKY MOUNTAIN RENDEZVOUS | Bear Lake

Bear Lake dusk couple photography Colorado engagement session Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado photography

In an award-winning photo captured by an artistic wedding photographer at Trieste, Italy, the bride's hand delicately touches her necklace, beautifully illuminated by the sunlight, creating a mesmerizing and detailed image.

Trieste Illumination: A Mesmerizing Image of a Delicate Bridal Touch

indoor Trieste artistic wedding detail shots necklace brides hand Trieste Artistic Details wife

An award-winning wedding day image captured by a creative photographer at Casina Macchia Madama in Rome. The photo showcases intricate details of the bride's dress, veil, and the groom's hand, beautifully illuminated by soft, warm sunlight.

Ethereal Sunlight Embraces Intimate Vows in Rome's Macchia Madama

veil Rome Warm sunlight intricate details Rome Artistic Details grooms hand brides dress

An acclaimed wedding photographer beautifully captures a couple at the stunning River's Edge in Devon, AB. In this black and white portrait, they sit on a couch, illuminated by the gentle light streaming through the window, exuding elegance and charm.

Devon's Enchanting Light: A Captivating Black and White Wedding Portrait

Devon wedding photography Alberta window Rivers Edge Devon Newlywed portrait artistic wedding photographer illuminated

A wedding photographer captures the bride and groom celebrating their special day by popping champagne at The Hotel Hershey in Pennsylvania. The stunning image showcases their joy against a beautiful deep blue painted brick wall, beautifully illuminated.

Champagne Celebration: Love and Joy at The Hotel Hershey Pennsylvania

pennsylvania weddings popping champagne brick wall artistic wedding photographer bride and groom bottles special day

In Udine, Italy, the couple strolls together in front of an illuminated roof. Glowing lights accentuate the building arches, creating a warm and enchanting ambiance. Hand in hand, they smile, immersed in the romantic glow.

Enchanting Romance: A Stroll Through Illuminated Beauty in Udine, Italy

Udine Italy glowing lights couple strolls arches architecture Udine engagement session

A captivating wedding photo captured at Pieve di San Lorenzo in Pegognaga, Mantua, Italy. The intense moment of the blessing beautifully narrated through the illuminating light shining on the priest.

ILLUMINATED BLESSING: Captivating Wedding Photo at Pieve di San Lorenzo, Mantua, Italy

Pieve di San Lorenzo ceremony Pegognaga wedding wedding day details mantua wedding photography ceremony church Mantua

A stunning wedding photo captured at Domaine de la Poudié, Tarn, France. The couple is elegantly framed through a chandelier on a balcony, creating a beautiful and intimate portrait.

Elegant Nuptial Portrait: Love Illuminated through Chandelier's Graceful Embrace

love intimate elegant Creative wedding photo illuminated Tarn chandelier

In the scenic Donner Lake Lookout, California, a couple embraces at sunset. Their eyes meet the camera as they hold hands, illuminated by the photographer's lighting.

Golden Hour Love: A Wedding Embrace at Donner Lake Lookout

scenic wedding wedding photography California Donner Lake engagement Donner Lake portraits lighting golden hour wedding wedding photographer

An engaged couple poses at Wecga Tower in Singapore, illuminated by a single lampost during a Pre-Wedding evening shoot

A Serenaded Love: The Enchanting Engagement Portrait Embraced by Wecga Tower's Radiant Glow

lamp post illuminated Singapore PreWedding Photography Singapore Wecga Tower

In a stunning vertical portrait against a dark backdrop, a couple at Hotel Hermitage in Lucerne is illuminated by the soft glow of lights, creating a romantic and enchanting scene.

LUMINOUS LOVE: A Wedding Unveiled at Hotel Hermitage in Lucerne

wedding bw romantic couple Hotel Hermitage soft glow vertical

Creative wedding couple portrait taken at Lochside Hotel, Lodges, and Spa in Ayrshire, Scotland, showcases the bride and groom illuminated by off-camera flash, exuding a vintage vibe with the reminiscent Polaroid toning

Lochside Hotel, Lodges, and Spa in Ayrshire, Scotland: Vintage-inspired wedding couple portrait with off-camera flash

vintage vibe Ayrshire bride Ayrshire Wedding Portrait Scotland off camera flash Polaroid toning Ayrshire

A picturesque wedding photograph at Les mariés au coucher du Soleil captures a beautifully composed scene as the couple shares an intimate sunset kiss, illuminated from behind, emitting a sense of romance

Les mariés au coucher du Soleil: Capturing a Romantic Sunset Kiss in a Picturesque Wedding Photograph

scene Wedding Photograph illuminated picturesque romance sunset kiss Les mariés au coucher du Soleil

A bride in Nanning is illuminated by a bright light, casting her silhouette in a captivating image

Nanning bride glows in captivating silhouette, illuminated by a bright light

black and white portrait captivating image bright light beautiful bride glowing bridal photo illuminated

Children play in the dusky ambiance of the reception venue at Paradise Bay Hotel in Sozopol, Bulgaria, as they are captivated by a heart-shaped structure illuminated in red against the backdrop of the sky after sunset

Paradise Bay Hotel in Sozopol, Bulgaria: Children captivated by illuminated heart-shaped structure after sunset

Sozopol Wedding Photography Sky illuminated sunset Sozopol heart-shaped structure red

A bride stands illuminated in a beam of light as she is captured in a photograph, framed by the door in the picturesque Landgut Steng estate

Landgut Steng Estate: Captivating Photograph of a Bride Framed by a Door in a Beam of Light

Baden Württemberg bride Baden-Wurttemberg Baden Württemberg Bridal Portrait captivating photograph beam of light photograph picturesque beam of light

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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.