Wedding Photos of Sunset

The following “Sunset” 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 “Sunset” 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.

The couple's heartfelt conversation at sunset by South Lake Tahoe after their engagement.

Heartfelt Sunset Conversation by South Lake Tahoe After Engagement: A Portrait of Love

A couple embraces on lakeside rocks at sunset; dark, stormy clouds gather over Lake Tahoe.

Embraced by Twilight, Storm Brewing Over Tahoe's Still Heart

lakeside engagement Lake Tahoe engagement session darkening sky Lake Tahoe stormy clouds sunset red dress

A future married couple, illuminated by a lantern, embraces at sunset by Etang de la Cazine.

Lantern Lit Love: Engaged Couple Embraces at Sunset by Etang de la Cazine

Etang de la Cazine Creuse Engagement Photography lakeside engagement Noth lanterns vertical format sunset

A couple's engagement photo on Sandy Neck Beach at sunset; he lifts her above gentle waves.

Sunset Romance: Couple's Engagement Photo on Sandy Neck Beach as He Lifts Her Above Gentle Waves

Sandy Neck Beach Portrait gentle waves Massachusetts off center framing carrying bride to be Sandy Neck Beach sunset

Golden hour dance on Sandy Neck Beach, Massachusetts, where sky meets sea in a timeless embrace.

Golden Hour Romance: Dance on Sandy Neck Beach, Massachusetts, Where Sky Meets Sea in Timeless Embrace

Cape Cod Sandy Neck Beach Engagement sunset dancing Sandy Neck Beach golden hour

In Campinas, a bride's portrait is captured at sunset in warm light, framed tall and vertically below palm trees.

Campinas Wedding Sunset: Bride's Tall Vertical Portrait in Warm Light Below Swaying Palm Trees

palm trees warm light vertical format Campinas Bridal Portrait Campinas Brazil sunset

In Campinas, a bride's portrait at sunset with shadows on the venue's white stucco wall, captured with tall vertical framing.

Campinas Wedding: Bride's Portrait at Sunset with Shadows on White Stucco Wall, Tall Vertical Framing

sunset Campinas stucco wall sunlight and shadows Campinas Bridal Portrait vertical portrait

A Collingwood sunset: purple sky reflecting on the water, groom-to-be holding the bride-to-be's hand.

Collingwood Sunset Elegance: Purple Sky Reflects on Water as Groom-to-Be Chivalrously Holds Bride-to-Be's Hand

purple sky leading Collingwood Engagement Session Ontario Collingwood Canada holding hands

At Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins, Colorado, a couple stands on a rock, overlooking the expansive reservoir as the sun sets. The warm light illuminates their faces, in a serene and romantic atmosphere against the water backdrop.

Couple at Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins, Colorado | Standing on Rock Overlooking Reservoir at Sunset | Warm Light Illuminates Faces in a Romantic Atmosphere

Colorado rock standing faces love reservoir water

At Collingwood, a couple sits on the water's edge during their engagement session, framed by a sunset over the shoreline. The serene setting enhances the romantic and timeless quality of this memorable scene.

Couple in Collingwood Sits by Water's Edge | Engagement Session at Sunset Enhances Romantic, Timeless Quality of Scene

edge Engagement sunset love together water Memorable

At Villarino Park in Santa Fe, Argentina, an engaged couple stands face to face near a row of trees as the sun sets. The backlit warm glow creates silhouettes, capturing the romance and timelessness in this picturesque rural setting.

Engaged Couple at Villarino Park, Santa Fe, Argentina | Standing Face to Face Near Trees at Sunset | Backlit Warm Glow Creates Silhouettes, Capturing Romance

couple together Argentina timelessness setting love Villarino Park

Couple in Portland, Maine, Holding Hands Face to Face | Golden Hour Image Captures Her Hair Flying During Engagement Session

together Maine profile face Portland-ME romantic wind

At Baronesse Tacco in San Floriano del Collio, Gorizia, Italy, a portrait of the bride and groom is set against the warm, golden light of sunset from behind.

Bride and Groom Captured Against Golden Sunset Light in Portrait at Baronesse Tacco, San Floriano del Collio

Gorizia golden glow Gorizia Golden Friuli-Venezia Giulia light Italy portrait Italy sunset portrait

In an outdoor scene in Nanping, Fujian, a spinning top rests in the foreground as the focal point, while the couple softly embraces in the background at sunset. The composition combines the stillness of the toy with the tender, blurred embrace.

Spinning Top Foreground, Embracing Couple at Sunset in Nanping, Fujian

Nanping sunset embrace composition embrace foreground focus Nanping couple blurred Fujian couple Fujian spinning top

In Lerici, known as the pearl of the Gulf, an engaged couple shares a joyful session as he playfully lifts his bride-to-be on an overlook above the water. The sun sets behind them, casting a warm glow over their love-filled scene.

Engaged Couple in Lerici, the Pearl of the Gulf, in Playful Lift | Sunset Casts Warm Glow Over Love-Filled Overlook Above Water

romantic warm glow scenic La Spezia travel outdoors water

At The Lucky Spur Ranch Retreat in Justin, Texas, a couple poses with an Agave plant, one of their favorites, as a breathtaking Texas sunset paints the sky.

Couple Poses with Agave Amidst Breathtaking Sunset at The Lucky Spur Ranch Retreat, Justin, Texas

Justin TX Agave plant pose Justin Texas sunset sunset ranch romantic backdrop favorites Lucky Spur Ranch Justin Texas

In Ceparana, as the sun sets, the bride and groom share a tender embrace standing face to face beneath her veil. The golden backlighting from the sun creates a romantic and ethereal glow.

Bride and Groom Embrace Beneath Veil, Bathed in Ethereal Glow in Ceparana

ethereal glow Face to face Ceparana Wedding Portrait tender embrace under veil sunset backlighting

At the reception venue, Domaine de la Grand Maison in Oytier-Saint-Oblas, the bride and groom share a quiet and intimate photo session in the warm sun, with the groom gently wrapping his arms around her from behind.

Bride and Groom Share Intimate Sunlit Photo Session Embraced at Domaine de la Grand Maison, Oytier-Saint-Oblas

embrace Isere warm light Grand Maison Domaine de la Grand Maison Oytier Saint Oblas shoot Domaine venue

At the venue, Domaine de la Grand Maison in Oytier-Saint-Oblas, the newlyweds walk hand in hand through the venue's park at sunset, surrounded by a glowing frame of warm light that enhances the romantic ambiance.

Newlyweds Walk Hand in Hand Amidst Warm Sunset Glow in Romantic Park at Domaine de la Grand Maison

glowing romantic walk Isere Oytier Saint Oblas Domaine de la Grand Maison walk romantic glow Domaine de la Grand Maison

At Meteora, Greece, a couple strolls across the rocks with the sunset behind them.

Couple Walks Across Rocks at Meteora, Greece, Framed by Majestic Twilight Glow

rocks strolling couple Meteora Wedding Portrait sunset Meteora Greece

Near their ceremony location in Fort Collins, Colorado, the bride and groom share a heartfelt dip at sunset, beautifully lit by the photographer to capture warmth and romance.

Bride and Groom Share Heartfelt Sunset Dip, Captured with Warm Lighting Near Fort Collins Ceremony

Fort Collins warm scene bride and groom lighting sunset bride groom warm lighting embrace heartfelt embrace Colorado

At Château du Prada in Saint-Lon-les-Mines, France, the bride and groom enjoy the sunset's colorful and dramatic hues, beautifully reflected in a mirror below, right before their meal begins.

Bride and Groom Admire Sunset's Dramatic Hues, Reflected in Mirror at Château du Prada, France

dining picturesque Saint lon les mines sunset hues Château du Prada scene France romance capturing French romance

At Nella Terra Cellars in Sunol, California, a couple poses for sunset portraits against the stunning backdrop of the Bay Area's rolling hills, with sunlight rim lighting the hills for an ethereal glow.

Couple's Sunset Portraits Emanate Ethereal Glow with Rim-Lit Hills at Nella Terra Cellars, Sunol, California

sunset Sunol sunset elegance portrait ethereal Bay Area rolling beauty Bay Area beauty glow

In Acadia National Park, Maine, a wedding couple holds hands during the sunset, with the sun positioned directly behind their intertwined hands.

Wedding Couple Holds Hands with Sun Framing Joined Fingers at Sunset in Acadia National Park, Maine

Acadia sunset sunset Unity connection Maine serenity holding hands capturing sunset unity

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, an engaged couple strolls together on the grass at sunset, exchanging jokes and laughter against the lively backdrop of the Milwaukee Public Market.

Milwaukee Couple's Sunset Stroll: Laughter, Love at Public Market

Wisconsin Milwaukee romance joy Milwaukee engagement Public Market stroll Wisconsin pair laughter

At Mersin Hilton Hotel, the couple is silhouetted between the palms, set against the deep tones of the sky. This artistic portrait creates a dramatic and romantic mood, highlighting the natural beauty of the backdrop.

Dramatic Silhouette: Couple Between Palms Against Deep Sky Creates Romantic Scene at Mersin Hilton Hotel Wedding

backdrop evening together silhouette sunset Mersin couple natural beauty

In Redwoods National Park, California, an artful and creative sunset double exposure photograph features the couple silhouetted against the backdrop of towering evergreen trees, merging nature's grandeur with their connection.

Sunset Double Exposure Silhouettes Couple Amidst Towering Redwoods in California National Park Wedding Scene

Evergreen double exposure romance Artful trees art California couple

At Court Farm in Standerwick, the couple shares a dramatic kiss as the groom romantically dips the bride on the venue lawn, with the last light of the day illuminating them from behind, creating a picturesque and enchanting scene.

Groom Dips Bride for Dramatic Kiss at Sunset on Court Farm Lawn, Standerwick Wedding Scene

Bath Couple Bath wedding picturesque Court Farm Venue groom bride sunset

At Skyview Fall River Village in Estes Park, CO, the newlyweds stroll hand in hand through the streets outside their wedding venue at sunset, with the majestic Rocky Mountains providing a backdrop to their romantic walk.

Newlyweds Walk Hand in Hand at Sunset with Rocky Mountains Backdrop at Skyview Fall River Village Wedding

stroll beauty streets CO wedding Skyview Fall River Village Venue love Estes Park

At Moss Denver in Denver, CO, a golden hour portrait captures the newlyweds with their heads gently touching, as a warm glow and sun flare illuminate the scene while the sun heads away for the night.

Newlyweds Share Intimate Touch Illuminated by Sunflare at Moss Denver Wedding Portrait

sun flare romance golden hour scenic warm glow love Moss Denver

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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.