Wedding Photos of Officiant

The following “Officiant” 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 “Officiant” 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.

During the ceremony at St. Michael Catholic Church in Livermore, CA, the couple stands at the altar with the officiant in view, as seen from behind for a timeless perspective.

Traditional Scene Setter Of A Couple Standing At The Altar Of St Michael Church In Livermore

In Machemont, France, the bride and groom share a kiss at the end of the ceremony while the officiant makes a discreet yet funky exit with a large, playful stride in the background.

Playful Officiant Exit During Newlyweds’ Kiss In Machemont France Ceremony

Machemont Oise Machemont Wedding Moment officiant discreet exit kiss playful stride

A documentary-style photograph captures a symmetrical moment from behind the officiant at a ceremony in San Floriano del Collio, Gorizia, Italy. The image is shot through an arbor, highlighting the sunlit outdoor setting.

Symmetrical Scene of a Sunlit Italian Wedding Through an Arbor

outdoor setting Gorizia overhead shot San Floriano del Collio Gorizia Outdoor Ceremony officiant symmetrical

Under the vast sky of Rocky Mountain National Park, the officiant triumphantly raises her arms as the bride and groom share their first kiss as a married couple.

Officiant Triumphantly Raises Her Arms During The First Kiss At Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado

nature kiss epic outdoor wedding Rocky Mountain National Park ceremony Rocky Mountain National Park Triumph first kiss moment

At Espaço Dieters – São Bernardo do Campo, Brasil, a night outdoor ceremony features the officiant centered between the backlit couple.

Espaço Dieters: Backlit Outdoor Night Wedding Ceremony

Espaço Dieters backlit couple centered outdoor ceremony Brasil centered officiant

Inside wedding venue Plein 7 in Woerden, the ring bearer rubs his eye as the couple shares a kiss and the officiant presents their wedding ring.

Inside Plein 7 in Woerden, Ring Bearer Rubs His Eye During Couple’s Kiss and Ring Exchange in Utrecht

woerden wedding groom officiant bride kiss ring exchange present eye

At Domaine de Grand Maison en Isère, the officiant delivers an intentionally long-winded speech, filling the ceremony with laughter and delight among the guests.

Officiant’s Intentionally Long-Winded Speech Fills Domaine de Grand Maison Ceremony in Isère With Laughter

laughter Domaine de Grand Maison speech long winded speech Isere officiant speech officiant

Halloween wedding in Ventura, CA: Officiant with silver goblet before bride and groom drink in backyard.

Enchanting Halloween Wedding: Officiant Presents Silver Goblet to Bride and Groom in Ventura

Ventura California black and white toast Halloween Wedding Ventura wedding photography backyard wedding Ventura

At Waterside Country Barn in Taunton, UK, during the outdoor ceremony, the bride gazes at the groom with her mouth wide open in expression, while the officiant speaks into a microphone. This moment captures her animated reaction amid the vows.

Expressive Vows: Bride's Animated Reaction During Ceremony at Waterside Country Barn

officiant Taunton Wedding Moment UK wedding Somerset Bride and Groom emotion gazing ceremony

At Colorado's Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort, the bride and groom share a laugh with their officiant. They exchange smiles during the outdoor ceremony against a snowy backdrop.

Bride and Groom Share Laughs with Officiant at Arapahoe Basin, Celebrating Love in Snowy Ceremony

bride and groom officiant snowy backdrop scenic snowy ceremony celebration laughter

At Salomons Estate in Kent, during the marriage ceremony, the officiant holds his book while the bride and groom stand before him, both smiling warmly and attentively.

Bride, Groom Smile During Ceremony at Salomons Estate in Kent

couple Kent wedding ceremony vows Kent officiant Commitment Togetherness

At Pennard Church in Somerset, amid laughter, the bride and groom struggle to put the rings on each other beneath a beautiful arch of flowers, with the officiant woman smiling at the lighthearted moment.

Somerset Wedding: Rings, Laughter, and Love at Pennard Church Ceremony

Somerset wedding love atmosphere humor joy officiant moment

During the outdoor ceremony, the couple sits holding hands, while the officiant, with an expressive face, places a hand over theirs and speaks into a mic.

During the Hauts-de-Seine Outdoor Ceremony, Couple Holds Hands as Officiant Places Hand Over Theirs and Speaks Into Microphone with Expressive Face

mic expressive face outdoor ceremony garden Ceremony holding hands candid Hauts-de-Seine

Amidst the serene beauty of Crater Lake National Park, the bride and groom share a moment of pure joy as their Stihl-suspender-wearing officiant officiates their sunrise ceremony.

Crater Lake Wedding: A Bride, A Groom, An Officiant, and A Sunrise | In the Stunning Beauty of the National Park

Idyllic Location National Park intimate celebration Romantic Vows lake views Unforgettable Moment Scenic Wonder

In this beautiful Vraca, Bulgaria location, the bride recites her vows outdoors while the setting sun provides a romantic atmosphere, with the officiant holding the microphone for her.

Bulgarian Bride's Vows Captured in Stunning Sunset Setting

couples vows Vraca Wedding Photography microphone Vraca Vraca Outdoor Ceremony setting sun officiant

In this image captured by a wedding photographer at Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort, the bride, groom, and officiant can be seen laughing together amid a snowy ceremony, braving a near blizzard with their ski gear.

Blissful Trio Brave Stormy Slopes at Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort for Snowy Wedding Ceremony

tahoe snowy landscape ski gear Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort Tahoe Wedding Ceremony Image snowy outdoor ceremony California

At Villa Bria, the newlyweds shared a heartfelt moment as the groom embraced the officiant after their outdoor ceremony. The bride looked on, surrounded by the beauty of their special day.

Newlyweds Embrace Officiant in Heartfelt Moment at Villa Bria Wedding

black and white Villa Bria Gassino Torinese hugs Turin Outdoor Ceremony Piedmont Turin

This photo captures the retired priest officiating a wedding ceremony in the scenic location of Auvillard, France. The ceremony takes place amongst a sea of guests wearing unique hats, adding an element of charm and tradition to the black and white

Retired Priest Officiates Charming Wedding in Auvillard, France Amidst Unique Hat-Wearing Guests: A Captivating Black and White Photo

black and white Auvillard Wedding Photography Auvillard officiant hats Occitanie charm

A heartwarming wedding scene at a Private Residence in Pomfret, Vermont, where the groom tenderly embraces his father, who also served as the officiant, under the radiant sunshine in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Groom Embraces Officiant Father: A Touching Moment in Pomfret, Vermont's Private Residence Oasis

Oasis radiant father Private residence beautiful groom Pomfret VT

Joyful bride and groom exchanging vows outdoors at Folly Farm in Bristol, UK, with officiant and two bridesmaids standing by.

Folly Farm: Wedding Vows Exchange in Bristol for Happy Couple

outdoor wedding bride and groom Happy couple Folly Farm joyful bride United Kingdom Folly Farm Wedding

Newlywed couple in Annandale, NJ, share a joyful moment, holding hands and leaning back in delight as they are announced as married at their intimate Hunterdon County wedding ceremony.

JUST MARRIED: Annandale, NJ Brides Leans Back in Joy at Hunterdon County Ceremony

NJ wedding photographer New Jersey officiant Newlywed couple Annandale NJ Hunterdon County ceremony Annandale NJ Brides

A modern wedding scene captured as the bride and groom sign their marriage license on a Washington state ferry, with their officiant by their side, contemplating their new journey together.

Washington Ferry: Signing Love's Voyage, with Officiant's Contemplation in Frame

windows Washington State Ferry ferry ride Washington Washington Artistic Scene Setter signing license officiant

Dormont Rec Center in PA sets the stage for a unique wedding ceremony. The bride, groom, and their daughter exchange vows, with the Elvis impersonator's famous jacket stealing the spotlight in this award-winning artistic photograph.

Dormont Rec Center Bliss: Unique Wedding Ceremony Stealing the Show

officiant tight detail shot Pennsylvania elvis Dormont Rec Center PA ceremony Pennsylvania photographer

A wedding officiant at Batiment 7 in Montreal, Quebec becomes emotional as the couple makes their grand entrance, captured by a local wedding photographer

Emotion-filled Grand Entrance: Wedding Officiant Overwhelmed by Love at Batiment 7, Montreal

Batiment 7 Montreal Documentary Wedding Photography emotional microphone officiant Montreal Canada

In a Venetian canal, the bride and groom exchange rings as the officiant and gondolier watch over

Capturing Eternal Love: An Elopement Serenade on the Venetian Canal

gondola ceremony Venice Elopement exchanging rings Venetian Canal Venice officiant gondolier

The bride and groom sat laughing and pointing in the direction of the officiant during their wedding ceremony at Rhederoord, Netherlands

The bride and groom joyfully laughed, pointing at the officiant throughout their heartfelt wedding ceremony

laughing officiant Netherlands Gelderland Rhederoord pointing Rhederoord Photographer

The bride and groom were laughing uncontrollably with their officiant in Chicago, Illinois during their ceremony after the groom read a funny story

The bride and groom laughed with the officiant during their ceremony after the groom read a humorous tale

Chicago photographer chicago bride IL bride and groom humorous officiant Chicago groom funny

Under a bright blue sky in New England at Primo Restaurant in Rockland Maine, a bride and the officiant play around at a wedding reception

Surrounded by trees adorned with suspended ropes, the bride and officiant gleefully frolic in the sunlit atmosphere of a wedding reception

Maine photographer officiant Maine New England Rockland ME Midcoast Maine Primo Restaurant

Bride gives Groom a cheeky look during ceremony at The Walled Garden, Nottingham, UK

The Bride gave the Groom a cheeky look during the wedding ceremony at the altar

The Walled Garden Nottingham UK altar Nottinghamshire officiant Nottingham Outdoor Ceremony

Ellijay contest award winning documentary wedding photography at Ott's Farm and Winery in Georgia showing the Officiant celebrates as grooms kiss at the end of the ceremony

officiant Otts Farm and Winery Ellijay End of ceremony Georgia couple kiss

Pages

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.