Wedding Photos of Whimsical

The following “Whimsical” 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 “Whimsical” 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.

Amidst the majestic pines of Mitchells Mountain Meadows in Truckee, California, a girl adds a touch of whimsy to the outdoor reception as she dances gracefully with her parasol. Against the backdrop of nature's beauty, her joyful movements are captured.

Dancing Under the Pines: A Whimsical Moment at Mitchells Mountain Meadows, Truckee

Outside a charming church in Bardos, France, the bride and her father waiting to enter in a vintage VW bus. A unique and whimsical addition to their special day.

Bride and Father Await Entry: Vintage VW Bus at Charming Bardos Church Wedding

entrance Bardos unique vintage father bus Pyrénées-Atlantiques

A breathtaking black and white image from a wedding at Colli Euganei in Padua, Italy, capturing the wind elegantly swirling the bride's veil in a serene wheat field.

Serene Serenade: Bride's Veil Dancing in Windswept Wheat Field at Colli Euganei, Padua Italy

bw Charming whimsical majestic elegant Colli Euganei vintage

A moment captured at Château La Hitte, France on the wedding day, featuring hugs, mirror reflections, and bright smiles in a cozy setting.

Whimsical Wedding Bliss: Hugs, Reflections, and Smiles at Château La Hitte, France

Lot-et-Garonne cozy Bliss Chateau Lavardac Wedding Moment Lavardac hugs

A bride, accompanied by her father, walks towards the ceremony at Hacienda Zorita in Salamanca, Spain, with a flower girl's Barbie doll in the foreground, adding a touch of whimsy to the wedding day capture.

Bride, Father, and Barbie: En Route to Ceremony at Hacienda Zorita in Salamanca, Spain

fun Salamanca father barbie Salamanca Wedding Moment capture moment

A unique image caught on camera during a wedding day preparation, with a vibrant red dress hanging in a window as a man outside gazes up at it while holding a watermelon, creating a whimsical and captivating scene at the venue in Sarzana.

Whimsical Scene: Man with Watermelon Gazes at Vibrant Red Dress in Sarzana Venue Window

man candid Sarzana captivating scene vibrant contrast venue

A picturesque wedding photograph of a glowing mist enveloping newlyweds in Dorsoduro, Venice, evoking an artistic painting-like ambiance on their special day.

Enveloped in Glowing Mist: A Romantic Wedding Portrait in Dorsoduro, Venice, Capturing Timeless Beauty

enchanting haze Dorsoduro Wedding Portrait atmospheric wedding couple portrait mist dreamy

Colorado bride getting her hair playfully licked by a giraffe during a whimsical wedding in the picturesque outdoors.

Giraffe Kisses: A Colorado Bride's Whimsical Wedding Adventure

whimsical Colorado wedding photography Colorado Humorous giraffe bride

Amidst laughter and joy, the couple lies on the grass at Evergreen Lake, forming a playful yin-yang puzzle piece pose, creating a whimsical and heartwarming scene captured in black and white from above.

Evergreen Lake's Whimsical Yin-Yang: A Playful Engagement Portrait in Monochrome

Evergreen Lake shot from above puzzle like pose Evergreen CO Engagement Portrait whimsical Colorado Yin Yang pose

At Minnewanka Lake, Canada, a man joyfully swings his fiancee in a circle against the picturesque backdrop of a winter mountain scene, creating a whimsical and heartwarming picture. - Winter's Spin: Love's Delightful Dance

Minnewanka Lake, Canada: Winter's Spin - Love's Delightful Dance

Minnewanka Lake Engagement swinging fiancee Canada mountains Minnewanka Lake winter scene spinning in circle

In the enchanting landscapes of Goreme, Nevsehir, Turkey, a pre-wedding photo session captures the couple in a romantic dance pose. The scene is adorned by her vibrant yellow dress, resembling a giant flowing flower, adding a touch of whimsical romance.

Enchanting Landscapes of Goreme: Capturing a Whimsical Dance of Romance

yellow dress Turkey Nevsehir romantic pose Nevsehir Engagement Session flowing dress Goreme

At the National Gallery of Art, the couple stands side by side, framed against the backdrop of a colossal blue rooster statue, capturing a whimsical and vibrant scene. - Artful Love: Rooster Statue Embrace

Artful Love: Rooster Statue Embrace

Washington DC National Gallery of Art whimsical rooster statue DC e session side by side blue rooster

In Székesfehérvár, this portrait captures a rainy day with a rainbow umbrella and a kiss. The couple is surrounded by geometric shapes, creating a whimsical and vibrant scene. - Rainy Kiss: Székesfehérvár Love Story

Székesfehérvár Love Story: Rainy Kiss

Hungary PreWedding Photography Hungary whimsical Vibrant colors geometric shapes Székesfehérvár rainbow umbrella

A horse in Hamilton, Montana mirrors the facial expressions of wedding guests, creating a whimsical and comical scene. Captured by a talented Montana wedding photographer.

Equine Emotions: The Unforgettable Laughter and Love at a Montana Wedding

Montana horse Montana Documentary Wedding Photography Hamilton facial expressions comical whimsical

In a private backyard in Elginburg, Ontario, a chicken curiously gazes at the beautiful bridal bouquet, adding a touch of whimsy to the wedding photo.

Curious Chicken Adds Whimsical Charm to Stunning Wedding Bouquet in Elginburg, Ontario Backyard

Ontario Elginburg Elginburg Wedding Photography Backyard bridal bouquet whimsical chicken

In their whimsical wedding portrait at the Adler Planetarium, the newlyweds blissfully share a laugh while playfully wielding light sabers, illuminating their celebration of love and passion in the heart of Chicago.

Chicago Wedding Portrait at Adler Planetarium: Newlyweds Celebrating Love and Passion with Light Sabers

laugh whimsical chicago wedding portrait Adler Planetarium illuminating celebration chicago wedding portrait light sabers

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.