Wedding Photos of Silhouettes

The following “Silhouettes” 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 “Silhouettes” 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.

In Bergerac, Dordogne, France, the newlyweds soak in the sunset along the banks of the Dordogne River, their silhouettes softened by the warm evening light.

In Bergerac, Dordogne, France, Newlyweds Soak In Sunset Along The Dordogne River

At Château de Vesvres in France, the bride and groom are photographed as elegant silhouettes beneath the bride’s veil, creating a romantic and artistic wedding portrait.

Elegant Silhouettes Beneath The Veil Define The Couple At Château De Vesvres In France

romantic Chateau de Vesvres venue France couple photographer veil silhouettes france wedding elegant

At Château de la Pouyade in Charente, France, the bride and groom are photographed in silhouette beside the river, creating a timeless portrait defined by elegant shapes and soft natural light.

Riverside Silhouettes Frame The Couple At Château De La Pouyade In Charente, France

couple photographer river shapes Couple photo Chateau de La Pouyade venue portrait silhouettes

At Château de la Pouyade in Charente, France, the groom stands in the light while his two groomsmen, each holding a cigar, remain in shadow as silhouettes, creating a dramatic and stylish wedding-day portrait.

Dramatic Light Frames The Groom And Groomsmen At Château De La Pouyade In Charente, France

Dramatic france groom photography Charente groomsmen silhouettes Charente wedding groom

At Domaine de la Perdrière in France, the bride and groom share a sunset embrace, their silhouettes framed within a glowing circular composition that transforms the fading light into a striking and romantic wedding portrait.

Sunset Silhouettes Glow Within A Circular Frame At Domaine De La Perdrière In France

romantic glowing Loir-et-Cher France wedding photography Domaine de la Perdriere venue couple Mesland

Creative wedding details made from dried flower stems form playful bride and groom silhouettes in Bucharest, Romania, adding personality, symbolism, and artistic storytelling to the celebration.

Dried Flower Stems Form Bride And Groom Silhouettes In Bucharest, Romania

design detail photographer dried stems details playful silhouettes

A darkened reception room at Garré Vineyard in Livermore, California, is defined by the silhouettes of two men in cowboy hats, creating a striking scene-setting image of the celebration.

Cowboy Hat Silhouettes Define Reception Scene At Garré Vineyard In Livermore, California

CA venue photography guest photographer western Garre Vineyard wedding photographer Garre Vineyard wedding picture hat reception

At Les Sables d'Olonne, France, the black-and-white backlit sunset portrait highlights the couple's silhouettes, creating a timeless engagement image with dramatic contrast and graceful simplicity.

At Les Sables Dolonne France The Black And White Backlit Portrait Highlights Their Silhouettes

black and white simple Luminous graceful timeless Dramatic photo session

In Costa Rica, the couple poses in front of the ocean at sunset, framed by glowing skies, calm waves, and a relaxed romantic setting there.

In Costa Rica The Couple Poses Before The Ocean At Sunset In A Romantic Image

Relaxed waves costa rica ocean silhouettes costa rica session glowing ocean

In Costa Rica, the couple walks in front of the ocean at sunset, their silhouettes framed by warm light, calm water, and a romantic coastal backdrop.

In Costa Rica The Couple Walks Before The Ocean At Sunset

sunset engagement portrait walk water Costa Rica silhouettes Costa Rica couple

In São Paulo, the tall vertical outdoor portrait faces the sun with partial silhouettes and trees in the background, giving the couple an airy, striking, and romantic feel.

In Sao Paulo, In A Tall Vertical Portrait, The Couple Faces Each Other With Partial Silhouettes And Trees

sunlit striking partial cowboy hat romantic silhouettes tall

On the Ouray Perimeter Trail in Colorado, the outlines of two brides appear over a misty mountain forest in a creative double exposure, blending love and natural drama into an artistic visual summary of their remote wedding setting.

Double Exposure Creatively Blends Two Brides Over A Misty Mountain Forest Along Ouray Perimeter Trail Colorado

Ouray Perimeter Trail misty mountain bw portrait double exposure Colorado Colorado wedding portrait silhouettes

Inside the Longiano City Council in Italy, a couple shares a backlit silhouette kiss. Empty historic chambers and strong light from the windows give a cinematic impression to this quiet interlude.

Empty Historic Chambers Backlight A Cinematic Silhouette Kiss Inside The Longiano City Council Hall Italy

backlit portrait Longiano Wedding Portrait vertical portrait Italy Longiano City Council silhouettes window backdrop

Meeting halfway in a symbolic gesture of unity, this couple poses together in Zavalla, Santa Fe, Argentina, to create a meaningful and artistic portrait during their professional engagement session.

Couple Poses Together In A Symbolic Gesture Of Unity During A Professional Engagement Session In Santa Fe

reaching out silhouettes artistic portrait Zavalla Engagement Portrait sunset Santa Fe-AR Zavalla

Surrounded by the towering, lush trees of Saint Vincent de Mercuze, France, the couple shares a quiet connection within the deep green forest during their scenic pre-wedding session.

Couple Shares A Quiet Connection Within The Deep Green Forest Of Saint Vincent De Mercuze France

tall trees silhouettes Isere Saint Vincent de Mercuze kissing black and white low angle

Expressing that love is truly in the air, the groom to be kneels before his future bride couple showing his affection and love for her along the beautiful Lake of Zoug.

Groom To Be Kneels Before His Future Bride Showing Deep Affection Along Beautiful Lake Zoug Switzerland

vertical portrait Zug Engagement Portrait kneeling Zug shoreline engagement silhouettes Switzerland

Silhouetted by the soft glow of the early morning sun, a couple stands together at Maceió-AL, Alagoas, Brazil.

Couple Stands Silhouetted At Sunrise At Maceió-AL, Alagoas, Brazil In Engagement Session Portrait

soft glow alagoas engagement portrait early sun holding hands silhouettes Maceió morning session

In Trieste, Italy, a silhouette of a couple stands against the vibrant sky, their forms outlined by the golden light of sunset, creating a dramatic and intimate portrait of their bond.

Couple’s Silhouette Framed By Sunset Sky In Trieste, Italy During Engagement Session With Photographer

Dramatic golden light Trieste engagement portrait intimate vibrant sky Trieste sunset

In Kaifeng, China, the parents of the bride and groom sit together below the stage, attentively watching the newlyweds as they recite their marriage vows.

Parents Watch Intently As Newlyweds Exchange Vows In Kaifeng, China

newlyweds Kaifeng wedding watch together Kaifeng ceremony ceremony vows

In Fribourg, the bride and groom appear as silhouettes at the reception venue, with a breathtaking mountain backdrop, bringing a dramatic sense of place and scale to their portrait.

Bride And Groom Silhouetted Against Majestic Mountain Backdrop In Fribourg

Fribourg reception mountain place drama majestic mountain backdrop silhouettes scale

Couple’s silhouettes stand out boldly against the vibrant fall foliage at Lake Dillon, Colorado, creating a creative and visually striking engagement portrait filled with autumn color and natural beauty.

Engaged Couple’s Silhouettes Bold Against Vibrant Fall Foliage At Lake Dillon, Colorado In Striking Autumn Portrait

foliage Color natural beauty vibrant backdrop Engagement silhouettes striking image

During sunset at a Missouri wedding location, the couple is beautifully backlit, their silhouettes warmly highlighted against the fading glow of the day.

During Sunset At A Missouri Wedding Venue, The Couple Is Backlit With Silhouettes Highlighted Against The Day’s Fading Light

Missouri wedding sunset light highlighted silhouettes glow backlit Missouri wedding venue

At a wedding venue in Taian, Shandong, the group portrait features the bride, groom, groomsmen, and bridesmaids posed together, marking the occasion with composed elegance.

At A Wedding Venue In Taian, Shandong, The Group Portrait Presents Bride, Groom, And Bridal Party In Poised And Composed Elegance

groomsmen Shandong Elegance Taian Shandong group bride Taian Shandong wedding portrait

In Parque Villarino, Argentina, a couple poses in silhouette during a wedding pre-session, their profiles outlined by a sunburst effect created with a photographic filter.

Parque Villarino Pre-Wedding: Silhouette Profiles with Sunburst Filter

Argentina Parque Villarino orange sky sunburst effect Argentina PreWedding Portrait silhouettes

Bride tossing her bouquet on the outdoor lawn during a wedding ceremony in Taiyuan, Shanxi.

Bride Tosses Bouquet On Outdoor Lawn During Wedding Ceremony In Taiyuan Shanxi

Taiyuan silhouettes tossing bouquet blue sky Minimalistic sun Taiyuan Wedding Moment

Silhouetted against the bright morning light just before the ceremony, the wedding guests gather at the iconic gazebo ceremony site at the Heritage House Resort and Spa in Mendocino, CA.

Guests Gather In Silhouette At Iconic Gazebo Ceremony Site, Mendocino

Mendocino morning light Heritage House Resort and Spa gazebo ceremony site California - Northern silhouettes

Laghi di Mantova, Italy, provides the stunning backdrop for a dramatic silhouette portrait of the couple, captured a moment before their kiss against the evening skyline.

Italian Lakes Silhouette: A Dramatic Moment Before The Kiss Against Evening Skyline

Italy Mantua wedding portrait silhouettes dramatic lighting Mantua Laghi di Mantova skyline

Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica, Liberia - Guanacaste, provides the artistic setting for this wedding portrait, capturing the silhouette of the bride and groom running together across the beach during their portrait session.

Bride and Groom Silhouette Runs Across the Beach at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica

Liberia running silhouettes Guanacaste Costa Rica Guanacaste Wedding Portrait Secrets Papagayo

While preparing for her wedding, a bride undergoes her makeup session at The Galata Istanbul Hotel, overlooking a stunning panoramic view of the Turkish old town.

This Portrait Captures The Bride During Her Makeup Session Overlooking Panoramic Views Of The Istanbul Old Town

The Galata Istanbul Hotel Makeup session silhouettes Istanbul city view black and white Istanbul wedding photography

Candid silhouette of a bride getting her makeup done before a ceremony at Switzer Farm in Mendocino.

Candid Silhouette Of Bride’s Makeup Moment Before Ceremony At Switzer Farm, Mendocino

Mendocino Bridal Makeup California - Northern silhouettes black and white Mendocino Wedding Moment Switzer Farm

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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.