Wedding Photos of Joyful moment

The following “Joyful moment” 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 “Joyful moment” 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.

Photograph capturing a joyful moment at a wedding in Torbole Casaglia (Bs). Children playing on colorful bouncy house inflatables in the farmhouse garden.

Cheerful Kids Bounce in Farmhouse Garden: Joyful Wedding Moment in Torbole Casaglia

Bride and groom at The Rowantree, Edinburgh, UK, walking through a shower of confetti after their ceremony - a joyful moment captured beautifully in this wedding photo.

Blissful Confetti Shower: Newlyweds at The Rowantree, Edinburgh, UK - Capturing Joyful Wedding Moment

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Wedding photo taken in Shandong, China, capturing the bride's home with the bride's mother wearing red, happy words on the wall, and red paper on the table. A joyful moment frozen in time.

Captivating Shandong Wedding Snap: Bride's Mother in Red, Happy Words, and Red Paper Delight

joyful moment red Shandong mother captivate China bride

A joyful moment frozen in time at a Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain wedding venue in Marana, AZ, captured while a guest playfully tosses confetti at another guest.

Elegant Confetti Delight at Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain Wedding in Marana, AZ

joyful moment guest playfully tosses Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain Marana Wedding Moment Arizona

Joyful moment captured at Langar Hall, Nottingham, UK, as guests chuckle at the bride trying to remove confetti from her dress, creating a heartwarming scene.

Delightful Laughter at Langar Hall: Bride's Confetti Struggle Makes a Funny Wedding Memory

bride Struggle laughing United Kingdom bride humor white gown laughter

A joyful moment captured at Don Carlos Beach club in Marbella, Spain as the bride and groom share their first dance, with the groom dipping the beaming bride in a show of pure happiness and energy.

DIPPED IN DELIGHT: Bride and Groom's First Dance at Marbella Beach Club Wedding

Don Carlos Beach Club energy Spain Pure happiness joyful moment first dance Marbella bride

A joyful moment captured at Running Deer Golf Course in Pittsgrove, NJ; the groom being lifted up in celebration during the lively reception.

Sky-high Celebrations: The Groom's Joyful Lift at Running Deer Golf Course

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This WPJA awarded image captured by a documentary wedding photographer showcases a joyful moment at Homewood in Bath, UK. The bride and groom exit through a tunnel of confetti tossing guests.

Exit in Style: A Joyful Moment at Homewood - Documentary Wedding Photographer at a Bath Wedding

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Award-winning documentary wedding photographer captures a joyful moment as the bride and groom smile while walking out of their ceremony under trees in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Moments of Love: Bride and Groom's Joyful Exit Under Philadelphia's Trees

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A pro wedding photographer in West Sussex captures a joyful moment as the bride and groom walk through confetti at Two Woods Estate. Smiling faces of friends and family add to the happy atmosphere.

Two Woods Estate: Capturing the Pure Joy of a Wedding Celebration in West Sussex

Two Woods Estate Pure Joy West Sussex pro wedding photographer confetti United Kingdom happy atmosphere

The bride's mother embraces her son during a joyful moment on the dance floor at the Whalehead Club in Corolla, NC. This image earned the photographer a prestigious award from WPJA.

Emotional Embrace: Moment at Whalehead Club Wedding, Corolla, NC

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Bride and groom burst into laughter at their Kansas City, Missouri wedding reception during speeches, capturing a joyful moment

Kansas City, Missouri: Burst of Laughter at Wedding Reception

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A photographer in Lincolnshire captures a joyful moment at a wedding reception in Scrivelsby Walled Garden. Guests participate in a space hopper race, bouncing on inflatable toys and having fun on the grass. This image has been recognized by the WPJA.

Joyful Celebration: Wedding Guests Race on Space Hoppers at Lincolnshire's Scrivelsby Walled Garden

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Bride and groom enjoying a joyful moment together on the ski lift at Sunshine Ski Resort in Banff

Banff Bliss: Ski Lift Happiness for Bride and Groom's Union

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A pro photographer in Bordeaux captures a joyful moment at Domaine de Conseillant, where the bride's best friend catches the bouquet, resulting in a big hug and a happy smile.

Caught Joy: Best Friend's Bouquet Catch at Domaine de Conseillant

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A professional wedding photographer captures a joyful moment as the bride and groom share a laugh and look towards their guests while preparing to cut their wedding cake at Schloss Walbeck.

Schloss Walbeck Sparks Pure Joy: Candid Shot Captures Bride and Groom's Wedding Cake Moment

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A wedding photographer in Argentina captures the joyful moment when the bride and groom share a dance at the end of their celebration. The symmetrical framing of their hug creates a beautiful and memorable image.

Argentina's Embrace: A Loving Wedding Dance Captured by WPJA Award-Winning Photographer

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A wedding photographer in Bristol, RI captures a joyful moment as a bride and groom share a laugh during a speech by the best men at Mount Hope Farm, resulting in an award-winning image.

JOYFUL MOMENT: A Wedding Laugh in Bristol, RI at Mount Hope Farm garners WPJA Accolade

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At the VIP Santa Iria Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal, a wedding photographer captures a joyful moment. The groom is embraced by guests on the dance floor, creating a heartwarming image.

Love and Laughter at VIP Santa Iria Hotel: Capturing a Joyful Moment on the Dance Floor

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A documentary wedding photographer captured this award-winning image at Château des Vierres - Lantignié. It shows a joyful moment of laughter between the bride and her bridesmaids.

Radiant Connection: Château des Vierres - Lantignié's Captivating Wedding Laughter

Château des Vierres Lantignie Wedding Photography laughter Château des Vierres bridesmaids documentary wedding photographer Rhône

A wedding photographer captures a joyful moment as a couple walks out of Wilton's Music Hall in London. Guests cheer and throw confetti to celebrate the newlyweds' happiness.

London Love: Newlyweds Emerge from Wilton's Music Hall to Rapturous Celebration

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The groom enters the ceremony at La Grange de Fontenay by dancing with his mother, creating a heartfelt and joyful moment as they celebrate their special day together

A Touching Dance: Groom Embraces Mother, Capturing Wedding's Blissful Bond

groom and mother joyful moment entering ceremony Eure outdoor ceremony dancing La Grange de Fontenay

In a joyful moment at a wedding in Milpitas, California, the bride lovingly embraces her maid of honor

Cherished Affection: A Beautiful Bride's Heartfelt Embrace Captured on Film

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At TPC Colorado Golf Course in Berthoud, Colorado, a WPJA Honor Award-winning image captured the joyful moment when a bride laughed while participating in a traditional Bulgarian dance, maneuvering under people's arms.

Joyful Laughter: Bride's Bulgarian Dance at TPC Colorado Golf Course, Berthoud

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At Tunnels Beaches in Devon, England, the bride and groom shared a joyful moment of laughter while exchanging rings during their outdoor ceremony

At Tunnels Beaches, Devon, England, the bride and groom laughed joyfully while exchanging rings

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Photography at Maritime Parc, NJ - wedding day portrait of the bride and groom.

The bride and groom exchanged a loving glance on their wedding day as they posed for a portrait at Maritime Parc in New Jersey

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The bride and groom are raised up for the Horah dance at their reception | Linekin Bay Resort Boothbay Harbor Maine

image of The bride and groom raised up for the Horah dance at their reception at Linekin Bay Resort Boothbay Harbor Maine

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Porto Alegre groom with groomsmen | Rio Grande do Sul - Brasil

image of a Porto Alegre groom with groomsmen in Rio Grande do Sul - Brasil

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Sofia couple during their wedding Bulgaria reception party as the laugh during the cake cutting

Bulgarian Bliss: A Joyful Moment in Sofia - The Laughter of Love during Cake Cutting

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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.