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Wedding Photos of Joy

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The following “Joy” 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 “Joy” 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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Wedding photograph from a reception party at Arka Barut-Antalya, Turkey, showing the bride and groom standing together while guests stand behind them, all with arms raised.
Joyful Turkish Bride and Groom Celebrate Surrounded by Cheering Wedding Guests at Arka Barut
Turkish weddingjoycheering guestsbride and groomAntalya Wedding PhotographyAntalyacelebration
Witness the joy as guests dance during a cocktail reception in Fayence, Var, France. The black and white photo captures the lively atmosphere of the event.
Guests Dance in Joy at Fayence Cocktail Reception in Var, France
wedding celebrationVarguestsjoydancingoutside partyoutdoor reception
Photograph taken at a wedding in Domaine des Plagnes, St Hilaire de Brens, Isère, France. It shows the groom being tossed in the air, capturing his joy.
Breathtaking Celebratory Moment: Groom Tossed in Air at Domaine des Plagnes Wedding in France
SkyjoySt Hilaire de BrensFranceIsere Wedding Photographygroomthrown
Wedding photo captured in Lyon, France, featuring the bride mid-air on the dancefloor. A moment of pure joy and excitement beautifully captured by the photographer.
Bride Soars with Joy on Lyon Dancefloor: Photographer Captures Magical Moment in France
mid airdance floorLyon Reception PhotographyFrancebw imageexcitementlifting bride
Wedding photo capturing the couple at Charleston Harbor Beach, joyfully high-fiving guests during their recessional after the ceremony.
Charleston Harbor Beach Bliss: Newlyweds High-Five Guests in Recessional Joy
Blissjoyguestswedding photohigh fiveCharleston Harbor BeachCharleston Harbor Wedding Photography
A wedding photo taken at AFAI in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, capturing the bride celebrating with her bridesmaids in pure joy.
AFAI Wedding Bliss: Rio Grande do Sul Bride and Bridesmaids Embrace Joy in Stunning Image
happinessjoyRio Grande do SulAFAI CanoasAFAIRio Grande do Sul brideCanoas Wedding Photography
Wedding photo captured at Regatta Place in Newport, RI USA, showcasing a heartwarming moment during the mother/son dance with matching facial expressions.
Emotional Moment Captured at Regatta Place: Mother/Son Dance Shows Perfectly Synced Expressions
family connectionUSAheartwarmingwedding photoRegatta Place Newport RIspecial momentEmotional moment
Wedding photo captured in Sao Paulo with a loving hug and kiss for the bride, surrounded by two men in suits.
Sao Paulo Wedding Bliss: Bride Receives Loving Hug and Kiss with Suited Men Nearby
celebrationSão Paulo weddinghugjoylovebridehappiness
The moment when the groom and his friend participate in traditional gatecrashing games to pick up the bride at a wedding held at the Grand Hyatt Xi'an.
Grand Hyatt Xi'an Wedding: Groom and Friend Take on Gatecrashing Games to Pick Bride
Xi'angate crashblowing out candlesXian groom door gamesgroomblowjoy
In Olmsted Park, Brookline, MA, a happy couple shares a minute of joy on a park bench near their home, captured in a sweet engagement portrait.
Happy in Olmsted Park: A Joyful Couple's Sweet Park Bench Portrait
Brookline MAMassachusettspark engagementjoyBrookline Engagement PhotographyOlmsted Parkpark bench
At the Meridian Banquet Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan, a bride bids farewell to her family following the heartwarming wedding ceremony.
A Bride's Farewell at The Meridian Banquet Center
Farmington HillsfarewellMichigan Wedding MomentMeridian Banquet CenterUnitywedding ceremonytears
In the vibrant setting at Hotel Royalton Splash Riviera in Mexico, an exhilarating moment unfolds as the traditional Turmeric Haldi ceremony takes flight, symbolizing the joy and energy of an Indian wedding celebration against the blue backdrop.
Riviera Romance: A Turmeric Haldi Ceremony at Hotel Royalton Splash Riviera, Mexico
cancunexhilaratingHaldi ceremonyPlaya del Carmenmomentenergyjoy
At Villa Mansi in Segromigno in Monte, the bride and groom share their first dance in the grand ballroom, surrounded by friends and relatives, radiating love and joy.
Elegance and Love in Villa Mansi's Grand Ballroom: A Magical First Dance in Segromigno in Monte
EleganceLuccavillaSegromigno in MonteLucca Wedding ReceptionCapannoridance
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
ChildrenPrivate homefirst danceTreviso Wedding MomentTreviso Wedding PhotographyVenetoreception festivities
Wedding day moment at Domaine De Conseillant captures the groom playfully having his hair pulled by two friends, a fun and candid shot full of laughter and camaraderie.
Groom's Laughter: Playful Hair Pull at Domaine De Conseillant Wedding Celebration
hairCubzacgroomwedding photojokinglaughtercelebration
An amusing moment captured in black and white as a gondolier hilariously reacts to a newlywed couple sharing a kiss on their wedding day in Venice, Italy.
Venetian Gondolier's Comical Delight: Newlyweds Share a Kiss on Their Wedding Day in Venice
Italyromantic kisshappinessdestinationcandidgondolaVenice
Emotional moment between two bridesmaids holding hands, witnessing their friend's wedding at Mount Hope Farm in Bristol, RI USA.
Tender Bridesmaid Bond: Mount Hope Farm Wedding in Bristol, RI USA Sparks Emotional Unity
Mount Hope FarmjoyhappinessFriendshipRhode Island Wedding PhotographyBristol RIUnity
A jubilant bride wearing red lipstick gazes at her reflection in a mirror with a red frame on her wedding day at Lincoln's Cottage in Washington DC, showcasing a moment of joy and anticipation.
Jubilant Bride at Lincoln's Cottage: Reflecting on Joyful Moments in Washington DC Wedding
Lincolns CottagereflectionbridejubilantDC wedding photographyframewhite wall
A beautiful moment unfolds as the bride steps out of the car on her wedding day at Pembroke Lodge in London, adding a touch of elegance to the special occasion.
Elegant Bride Stepping Out of Car at Pembroke Lodge: A London Wedding Moment
joybeautifullovecarLondonMemorableunforgettable
A couple sharing a romantic kiss while dancing on the dance floor at a wedding reception at Giardini del Meisino venue.
Romantic Dance Floor Kiss at Giardini del Meisino: A Wedding Reception Moment Captured Forever
romancelovedancingGiardini del Meisinocelebrationcoupleshappiness
A captured moment of joy and action at a wedding reception, guests dance on the floor at Giardini del Meisino venue in Italy.
Romantic Revelry: Guests Dance at Giardini del Meisino Wedding Reception in Italy
revelrywedding receptiondancedancingGiardini del Meisinovenuejoy
Captivating wedding day moment at Museum Hülsmann in Bielefeld, filled with genuine emotions and joy as a woman embraces the bride with beaming smiles in an outdoor setting.
Woman Hugs Bride with Beaming Smiles at Museum Hülsmann in Bielefeld
brideembraceMuseumwomanOutdooroutdoor wedding photographyhappiness
An engaged couple poses in front of Colorado College, sharing a laugh with a soft-focus plant in the foreground, capturing a joyful and candid embrace and look.
Glimpses of Love: Cozy Portrait Session For Couple In Front Of Colorado College
Colorado CollegeColorado Springsjoyembracecouple posingsoft focusplant
Bride and groom share a sweet moment as they cut into their wedding cake at The Woods At Eisler Farms in Butler, PA, showcasing a blend of anticipation and joy on their special day as they carefully slice into their decadent treat.
Anticipation and Joy: Sweet Moment Cutting Wedding Cake at The Woods At Eisler Farms
Butler PA Wedding MomentjoyDecadenttentsSlicingcakePennsylvania
A candid and heartwarming moment at American Jewish University in Los Angeles, CA, as the bride lays surrounded by flower girls during the reception.
Bride Surrounded by Flower Girls: Heartwarming Wedding Moment at American Jewish University, Los Angeles
Los AngelesAmerican Jewish Universitymarriageflower girlsheartwarmingEvent Photographyreception venue
A beautiful bride tosses rose petals as part of an Indian wedding tradition, captured in a candid moment at Mount Palomar Winery in Temecula, CA.
Indian Bride Tosses Rose Petals: Candid Moment at Mount Palomar Winery, Temecula, CA
newlywedstraditionTemeculaTemecula Wedding Momentceremonywinerycandid
Emotional moment captured at Malibou Lake Lodge in Agoura Hills, CA, as the parents of the bride and groom wipe away tears during the outdoor wedding ceremony.
Parents' Emotional Moment at Malibou Lake Lodge Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
memoriesgroombridesittingoutdoor ceremonymomentjoy
In a serene moment at Lake Oak Meadows Weddings and Events in Temecula, CA, the newlyweds are caught wiping away tears of joy right after saying "I do" outdoors.
Newlyweds Embrace at Lake Oak Meadows Weddings and Events in Temecula
California NewlywedsOutdoor wedding photoeventTemeculaembracetearsLake Oak Meadows Weddings and Events
Wedding portrait at First Look in Acadia National Park, showing a couple sharing a joyful kiss against a minimalistic white backdrop, in a timeless black and white photograph.
First Look Romance: Joyful Kiss in Acadia National Park - Timeless Black & White Portrait
naturaltouching nosesbeautifulintimateromanceemotionbride
Capturing the joy and playfulness of a couple in Beijing's Wudaoying Hutong, this engagement portrait session in a Chinese courtyard exudes fun and happiness.
Beijing Bliss: Playful Couple in Wudaoying Hutong Engagement Session
BeijingWudaoying HutongjoyChinese CourtyardBeijing PreWedding Photographyplayfullayered portrait

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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.