Wedding Photos of Social

The following “Social” 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 “Social” 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.

At a cocktail event in Bourges, guests are seated on the staircase, creating a layered image of relaxation and conversation. This scene captures the casual and convivial atmosphere of the gathering.

Stylish Guests Relax on Staircase at Bourges Cocktail Event, Enjoying Evening of Conversation and Elegance

At Bastide de Jaillans in Drôme, France, guests dash down the sloping grassy hill, racing to grab a bottle of beer, adding a playful twist to the celebration.

At Bastide de Jaillans, Drôme, France, guests race down a grassy hill to grab a beer, injecting competitive playfulness into the celebration.

excitement Activity Festival playful energy social Drôme

At Domaine des Saints Pères in Chambéry, Savoie, France, male guests eagerly gather as the groom throws a sausage, turning the moment into a fun and lively game of catch during the celebration.

Groom's Sausage Toss Creates Lively Catch Game at French Wedding

groom Domaine des Saints Pères Savoie wedding tradition gathering outdoors excitement

At a reception venue in Krakow, Malopolskie, wedding guests enjoy themselves by making funny faces while dancing and singing together.

Guests Celebrate with Laughter and Dance at Joyful Krakow Wedding Reception in Malopolskie, Poland

Europe reception venue energetic social Krakow Poland singing

In Athens, wedding guests enjoy dinner served by venue vendors while seated outdoors at long rows of tables.

Outdoor Dinner Reception Delights Guests at Long Tables in Athens Wedding Venue, Greece

Greece wedding guests social outdoors meal al fresco dining

At a reception venue in Isere, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the bride and groom enjoy mingling with their guests during a cocktail hour held outdoors under the shade of trees.

Bride and Groom Mingle with Guests During Shaded Outdoor Cocktail Hour in Isere, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Reception

al fresco fun trees cocktail hour casual guests Relaxed

At Jardin de Cleray in Vallet, France, two male guests enjoy themselves while dancing and having fun.

Two Male Guests Revel in Joyful Dancing at Jardin de Cleray Wedding in Vallet, France

wedding reception dancing joyful having fun lively Loire-Atlantique social

View this imaginative Sichuan wedding image showing a newspaper display column near the ceremony site and on the column are recent social and realistic news

Sichuan wedding image showing a newspaper display column near the ceremony site and on the column are recent social and realistic news

column news newspaper urban Sichuan photographer gown Sichuan wedding image

Manchester guests enjoying drinks and talking at the reception - England wedding reportage photo

England wedding reportage photo of Manchester guests enjoying drinks and talking at the reception

candid wedding drinks photo guests celebration Endglan

London guests enjoying the reception at night - England wedding reportage photography

England wedding reportage photo of London guests enjoying the reception at night

enjoying London celebration fun Night atmospheric photography

Biscay guest enjoying a drink at the wedding - Spain wedding photo

Photo of a Biscay guest enjoying a drink at the wedding in Spain

Biscay guest wedding photo.candid celebration drink social

London guests enjoying drinks and shots at the reception bar - England wedding photography

England wedding photo of London guests enjoying drinks and shots at the reception bar

reception bar.atmosphere bar wedding social guests celebration

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.