Wedding Photos of Joy

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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At Frank Liske Park in Concord, NC, a couple enjoys a confetti shower to celebrate their engagement. Positioned with faces in a yin-yang pose, they look up with smiles, encapsulating joy and harmony.
Couple at Frank Liske Park, Concord, NC, Celebrates Engagement with Confetti Shower | Faces in Yin-Yang Pose | Smiles Capture Joy and Harmony
In Sono 1420, an engaged couple sits at a bar, enjoying a drink together. Under soft studio-style lighting, their intimate toast captures the warmth and connection of their engagement, highlighting their shared joy and anticipation.
Engaged Couple Toadting at Sono 1420 Bar, Under Soft Lighting, Highlighting Warmth and Connection of Their Engagement
In Danbury, CT, an engaged couple stands on a sunlit residential street with their puppy. The warm sunshine highlights their joy and connection in their neighborhood.
Engaged Couple with Puppy on Sunlit Residential Street in Danbury, CT, Warm Sunshine Highlighting Their Joy and Connection
On the Ancient Appian Road in Rome, the groom lovingly kisses the laughing bride while embracing her from behind, set against the timeless backdrop of an ancient Roman building, creating a scene filled with joy and historical charm.
Groom Kisses Laughing Bride on Appian Road, Embraced by History and Joy in Rome, Italy Portrait
At the Domaine des Cèdres, a tight portrait shot captures the bride with a warm smile, radiating joy and elegance.
Bride's Joyful Smile Radiates Elegance in Tight Portrait at Domaine des Cèdres Wedding Venue
In Foca, Turkey, a vibrant wedding scene unfolds with guests participating in a traditional Turkish dance. The night setting is beautifully enhanced by the reflection of the dancers and lights off the dark pool water.
Guests Dance Joyfully Reflected in Pool at Nighttime Foca Wedding Celebration
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
In Acadia National Park, Maine, a bride and groom twirl joyfully near an evergreen forest, close to the water, surrounded by the park's breathtaking natural landscape.
Bride and Groom Twirl Joyfully Near Evergreen Forest and Water in Acadia National Park's Breathtaking Landscape, Maine
At Finca La Concepción in Marbella, Spain, a vibrant dusk shot captures the active party scene on the outdoor dance floor during the evening reception. Guests are seen dancing and enjoying the festivities beneath the dark blue illuminated twilight sky.
Guests Revel on Vibrant Outdoor Dance Floor at Finca La Concepción, Marbella
At a wedding venue in Nanning, Guangxi, the atmosphere is filled with emotion, creating a warm and unforgettable moment that captures the joy and deep sentiment of the bride in tears.
Bride's Tears Capture Emotional Joy in Unforgettable Moment at Nanning Wedding Venue, Guangxi
In Bozeman, Montana, the bride dances energetically with two friends as a live band performs behind the during the wedding celebration. Clumpner, of Montana, is a wedding photographer for
Bride and Friends Rock the Dance Floor with Live Band
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
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, an engaged couple strolls together on the grass at sunset, exchanging jokes and laughter against the lively backdrop of the Milwaukee Public Market.
Milwaukee Couple's Sunset Stroll: Laughter, Love at Public Market
In Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, a bride and groom embraced for a kiss with their wedding party in the background.
Fond du Lac Embrace: Bride and Groom Share Kiss with Celebratory Wedding Party in the Background
At Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park, Colorado, the couple walks past their guests as celebratory petals are tossed, marking a joyful moment during their wedding celebration.Creery, of Colorado, is a wedding photographer for
Newlyweds Stroll Through Celebration at Della Terra Mountain Chateau
At the University of Maryland Hotel, a group of single ladies, primarily friends and cousins, joyfully celebrate after catching the bouquet, marking a festive moment at the wedding reception.
Single Ladies Rejoice in Capture at University of Maryland Hotel Wedding
After the ceremony at University of Maryland Hotel, the groom playfully pretends to lick his bride's ring. A moment of humor highlights the couple's joyous celebration.
Groom's Playful Antics Delight at University of Maryland Hotel
At a Baltimore, Maryland reception, a woman beams with surprise and joy after catching the bouquet. Her delighted expression captures a wedding tradition.
Woman's Joyful Surprise Lights Up Baltimore Reception
At Villa Foscarini Cornaro in Gorgo Al Monticano, Treviso, Italy, the newlyweds share a sweet kiss while cutting their wedding cake.
Sweet Kiss at Villa Foscarini Cornaro, Italy during the cake cutting.
At a reception venue in Krakow, Malopolskie, a little girl begins her dessert by licking the plate. This endearing moment adds a touch of kid fun to the festivities.
Little Girl's Playful Dessert Delight at Krakow Reception
At Capela dos Milagres, a fun moment of celebration unfolds during the party. The scene captures the joy of the couple holding large photos of their faces.
Joyous Celebration with Personalized Props at Capela dos Milagres
At MacCallum House in Mendocino, CA, the bride and groom share laughter and smiles during the toast, surrounded by an extravagant floral setting at the head table. The moment reflects their joy and the celebration's beauty.
Bride and Groom Toast to Joyful Moments at MacCallum House
At Swinton Park in North Yorkshire, UK, a bride and her bridesmaids are smiling as they are reflected in a wall full of different-shaped mirrors on the stair landing.
Reflected Joy: Bride and Bridesmaids at Swinton Park's Mirror Landing
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
At Owen House Wedding Barn in Manchester, England, the groom and his best man share a toast with champagne, captured from a low angle against an overcast sky. The moment reflects their camaraderie amid the day's celebrations.
Cheers of Camaraderie: Groom and Best Man Toast at Owen House Wedding Barn
Outside The Surprise Pub in London, UK, the bride, groom, and wedding guests gather together, captured from across the street. The distant shot highlights the lively, communal atmosphere of the celebration.
Street-Side Gathering: Festive Wedding Celebration at The Surprise Pub

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