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Wedding Photos of Playful

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The following “Playful” 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 “Playful” 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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A couple shares a laugh during their engagement session at Skinner's Golf Club on Nantucket Island, MA. Captured in a vertical black-and-white image, the portrait highlights their playful spirit on the golf course.
Couple Shares Laugh at Skinner's Golf Club, Nantucket Island, MA | Portrait Highlights Playful Spirit During Engagement Session on Golf Course
skinnerMASpiritcoupleEngagementtogethervertical
At Bistro Farol, a detail shot at ground level captures the bride's Converse shoes, showcasing her individual flair and adding a playful touch to her wedding attire.
Bride's Converse Shoes Add Playful Touch to Wedding Attire in Detail Shot at Bistro Farol Ceremony
individualBistro Faroluniqueground level shotplayfulAlagoasbride
At Burnsall Village Hall in Yorkshire, England, the bride affectionately strokes a cat while the groom proudly displays his cat-themed socks. The cat appears to curiously gaze at the socks, adding a playful and charming touch to the scene.
Bride, Groom, Cat Share Delightful Moment at Burnsall Village Hall in Yorkshire
playfulCharmingstrokeskittyBurnsall Village HallcuriousNorth Yorkshire
At Domaine des Maisons du Bonheur in Rhône, guests participate in the fun by wearing sunglasses with the couple's initials.
Guests Wear Sunglasses with Couple's Initials for Fun Celebration at Domaine des Maisons du Bonheur, Rhône
Rhône joyful celebrationpersonalized wedding accessoriescelebrationchildcoupleMaisons du Bonheur guestsfun guest participation
At Shangri-La Taipei in Taiwan, a creative detail shot captures a playful arrangement of colorful Lego figures holding the wedding rings, adding a playful and unique touch to the celebration.
Lego Figures Hold Wedding Rings in Unique Detail Shot at Shangri-La Taipei
Lego figurescelebrationplayful ring displaywedding ringsDetail ShotTaiwan celebration touchcolorful Lego arrangement
In a backyard in Hammonton, New Jersey, a detail image captures the elegant bridesmaid dresses and vibrant flowers, while the ring bearer joyfully entertains himself, adding a playful and endearing touch to the scene.
Ring Bearer Enjoys Moment Amid Elegant Dresses and Flowers in Hammonton Backyard
joyful childNew Jersey weddingplayfulHammonton New Jersey sceneplayful touchHammontoncharming backyard
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
bridalbridal partycapturing playful celebrationhappinesscamaraderieCalifornia wedding funStoneTree laughter
At a reception venue in Lyon, Rhône, a bride and groom pose in front of a grand castle as the groom playfully dips his bride backward, sharing a romantic kiss in a captivating image.
Groom Playfully Dips Bride for Romantic Kiss in Front of Grand Castle at Lyon Reception Venue, Rhône
castleLyon castle kissdipRhône grand romancecapturing playful loveLyonkiss
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
embrace and laughterloving kiss attackWisconsin joyplayfullaughterkiss attackhappiness
At Brookside Gardens Event Center, a guest playfully lifts the bride's dress while she turns to see what's happening, captured in a moment of surprise and amusement during the wedding festivities.
Bride's Surprised Reaction as Guest Lifts Her Dress at Brookside Gardens
amusementsurpriseamusement at weddinglaughterweddingBrookside Gardens Event Centerplayful guest
At The Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, two guests bring humor to the wedding festivities by wearing horse masks while they dance, adding a playful touch to the celebration.
Horse-Masked Guests Bring Playful Spirit to Estes Park Wedding
Estes Park humorcelebrationBlack Canyon Inn weddingEstes Park Coloradodancewedding horse maskswedding guests
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
University of MarylandUniversity of Maryland HotelMaryland Hotel weddingcouplecelebrationhumorous wedding highlightplayful
In Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, a couple stands on the cobblestones of Prince Street, both wearing rainbow sunglasses, adding a playful touch to the historic setting.
Playful Charm: Couple in Rainbow Sunglasses Adds Colorful Twist to Historic Prince Street in Old Town Alexandria
Playful Historic SceneOld Town AlexandriacobblestonessunglassesjoyfulAlexandriaplayful
In Trieste, Italy, the groom playfully uses the best man's tie to wipe his forehead during a pause in the ceremony. This lighthearted gesture adds a touch of humor to the occasion.
Groom's Playful Gesture Adds Humor to Trieste Ceremony
Trieste church weddingceremonyItalypauselightheartedforeheadTrieste Wedding Moment
At Spring Ranch in Mendocino, California, the bride holds a donut high in the air with an outstretched arm as the couple shares a kiss after tasting the treat. This playful moment highlights their nontraditional celebration.
Bride Raises Donut in Joyful Toast at Spring Ranch
California weddingMendocinoTreatcoupleDonutCA bridespring ranch
At Camp Katur in Yorkshire, England, young wedding guests joyfully play with bubbles. The playful scene adds a touch of delight to the celebration.
Young Guests Bring Playful Joy to Camp Katur Wedding
UK weddinglaughtercheerfunexcitementDELIGHTYorkshire
At a reception venue in Krakow, Malopolskie, the groom playfully gestures to the bride in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by friends and a lively party atmosphere.
Groom's Playful Gesture Captures Joyous Krakow Wedding Celebration
Groom and brideLively Celebration AtmospherelivelyreceptionplayfulPolish WeddingKrakow Dance Floor
At a marquee wedding in Cambridgeshire, England, a female wedding guest wearing a cowboy hat entertains attendees as she rides a mechanical bull. The lively scene adds a fun and adventurous twist to the festivities.
Guest in Cowboy Hat Thrills Crowds at Cambridgeshire Wedding
FestivitiesfunjoyCambridgeshireCambridgeshire WeddingadventurousEngland
Outside the Railway Tavern in London, UK, a bride and a wedding guest engage in a game of backgammon at a pub table, with a dog relaxing at their feet. The scene exudes a casual and playful ambiance amid the celebration.
Backgammon Break: Bride and Guest Enjoy a Casual Game at the Railway Tavern
camaraderiegameguestcasualuk bridePub TablePlayful Wedding Moment
In the church field at St. Saviour's, Guernsey, the bride and groom enjoy a playful moment on an inflatable helter skelter slide. The joyous ride adds a fun, whimsical touch to their special day.
Bride and Groom Take a Spirited Slide at St. Saviour's
Whimsical Wedding FuncelebrationGuernseySt Savioursjoyful celebration momentfunslide
At the Inn at the Round Barn in Waitsfield, VT, the bride playfully gives a piggyback ride to her bridesmaid on the festive dance floor. The lively moment encapsulates the joyous energy of the celebration.
Bride Gives Bridesmaid a Piggyback Ride at The Inn at the Round Barn
Waitsfield Dance Floor FunRound Barn VTWaitsfield WeddingplayfulexcitementlivelyVT bride
In Baraboo, Wisconsin, a tight shot captures the little ring bearer being held as he eagerly reaches for the groom's flowers. The moment highlights his determination and adds a touch of humor to the occasion.
Ring Bearer Reaches for Groom's Flowers, Adding Humor to Baraboo, Wisconsin, Wedding Ceremony Scene
Baraboo Cute MomentBarabooHumorous Wedding CapturecutechildDeterminationWisconsin wedding
At the 1824 House in Waitsfield, VT, a bridesmaid prepares the bride and groom's cat for the ceremony. The low camera angle on the grass captures this unique moment, adding a touch of whimsy to the wedding preparations.
Bridesmaid Prepares Bride and Groom's Cat for Ceremony at 1824 House in Whimsical Wedding Scene
Waitsfield Whimsical MomentVT weddingpetFeline Wedding PreparationWaitsfield VTceremonylow angle
At The Round Barn in Waitsfield, VT, young boys enjoys a playful moment during cocktail hour, while an older woman seated below him looks up over her shoulder. The scene blends youthful energy with a touch of curiosity and charm.
Playful Boys Captivate Elderly Woman at Waitsfield Round Barn Cocktail Hour, Blending Energy and Charm
cocktail hourThe Round Barnolder womanCharming Wedding Momentover shouldercurious generational interactioninteraction
At a reception venue in Paris, Île-de-France, the boyfriend of the girl who caught the bouquet playfully attempts to get rid of it. This humorous moment adds levity to the traditional wedding festivities.
Boyfriend's Playful Bouquet Toss Adds Humor to Wedding Festivities at Paris Reception Venue
levityParis weddingfrench weddingHumorouscatchplayfulboyfriend
In Paris, Île-de-France, bridesmaids slip on their shoes after a quick, playful dip in the fountain. This lighthearted scene transitions them from carefree fun to elegant dinner festivities.
Bridesmaids Slip on Shoes After Fountain Dip, Transitioning to Dinner Festivities in Paris, Île-de-France
elegantcarefree bridal sceneFestivitiesshoestransitioncelebrationParis wedding
Near a reception venue in Upper Austria, the bride enthusiastically participates in a football game, kicking the ball towards the camera. This playful challenge to enter the venue adds a lively and memorable twist to the festivities.
Bride Kicks Football Towards Camera, Adding Playful Twist to Upper Austria Wedding Festivities Near Venue
Austrian WeddingUpper Austria WeddingFestivitiesKickingenthusiasticFootball Funball
In Paris, the groom, caught in a paparazzi-style flash, takes a swig of champagne straight from the bottle, spilling some onto himself. This candid moment adds a touch of humor and spontaneity to the celebration.
Groom Spills Champagne Taking Swig in Paris, Adding Humor to Wedding Celebration in Paparazzi-Style Flash
livelyFrench EventChampagne Swigcandid momentcelebrationfestivityplayful
In Cesano, the bride springs with joy as she jumps on indoor trampoline courts, while the groom humorously falls out of the picture.
Bride Jumps for Joy, Groom Tumbles at Cesano Wedding
groomRomeCesanoindoorplayfultrampolineenergy
At Château de la Bastide, a little ring bearer playfully tries to climb into the newlyweds' car, adding a charming moment to the day.
Ring Bearer's Car Caper Adds Charm to Château Wedding
french weddingceremonyBastide EventChâteau de la Bastide Weddingring bearerChâteau de la Bastidecute

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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.