SMALL WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS | choose love, not fear

Intimate Weddings & Elopement Photography

Since 2002, the WPJA has been connecting couples with the best, most artistic wedding photographers from around the world.

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes wedding photography by Coralie Garavel of the France WPJA
Wedding Photography by Jola Mulder
Kirill Brusilovsky wedding photography for creative couples
Wedding and Elopement Photographer Sven Soetens of Flanders, Belgium
Song Johns wedding and elopement photography of Blooming Dreams Photo
Oise elopement and wedding photography by Frederic Bry of the Hauts-de-France WPJA
Portrait of Wedding Photographer Denise Chastain
Wedding and Elopement Photographer Andreas Pollok
Lifestyle portrait of Catherine Roujean, a Toulouse wedding photographer from Haute-Garonne
Engagement couple portraits and elopement photography by Brenda Bravo - Bravo Image
London wedding and elopement photography by Gyula Lovaszi, of England, United Kingdom
Texas wedding photography by Alexandre Grand
Engagement, elopements and wedding photography by Sujith Kumar of Incognito frames
Portrait of Savannah lifestyle portrait and wedding photographer Morgan Powell
Lisbon wedding and elopement photography by Pedro Vilela of Portugal
Wedding and elopement Photographer Carl Bower

Authentic Photography

The WPJA organizes various wedding photography rounds annually, recognizing and honoring exceptionally captivating images.

Take a look at the previous victors by clicking on the links below:

Intimate, Micro Wedding Planning & Elopement Articles

Not everyone has a lagoon or glacier next door, but there's no rule saying you can't have a small wedding in the great outdoors. Take advantage of natural...

Kobe Vanderzande, of Limburg, is a wedding photographer for

There’s nothing quite like an intimate wedding reception in a tent, with its uniquely informal atmosphere, customized decor and proximity to the elements...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

Damon Pijlman, of Zuid Holland, is a wedding photographer for rhederoord
Raymond Nguyen, of California, is a wedding photographer for

WPJA Contest Photos - January 19th, 2024

Any wedding photographer is going to want to please their clients — but they also want their work to be appreciated on a broader scale. This is one of the reasons why the Wedding Photojournalist Association members love our regular photography competitions. These popular contests give our photographers the opportunity to submit their best images in hopes of being selected as a winner and being recognized for their creativity and effort. Our contests are judged by a panel of notable and respected working photojournalists and picture editors in the news industry, which adds an element of prestige to our awards.

Cartagena, Colombia: Witness an impressive feat as the bride savors an upside-down bite of cake, carried by her exuberant guests, captured by a destination wedding photojournalist
At The Castelnau des Fieumarcon in Lectoure, Gers, France, the two men witnesses gracefully step over the train of the bride's dress during the ceremony
Bride and groom share their first dance on the charming patio at Cascina Montena, Zenevreto, Italy, illuminated by twinkling lights against a backdrop of a beautiful night sky
At Jaipur, India, an emotional moment unfolds as the bride and groom are surrounded by their loved ones, shedding tears during the ceremony
A pro photographer in Texas captured this award-winning image of a bride and groom dancing at their wedding reception. The groom lifts the bride onto his shoulder, illuminated by purple DJ lighting.
At the Pretty Place Chapel Ceremony, the bride and groom's families come together for a heartfelt prayer. This picture captures the beautiful open back church and its breathtaking view of the valley and mountains.
At Villa Ekaterina, the groom is joyfully tossed into the air by his friends on his wedding day. A moment of celebration and happiness captured in a beautiful photo.
Bride and groom singing together at Bao, Borough Market, London, on their wedding day, belting out the classic hit "White Wedding" by Billy Idol. This image captures their shared passion for music.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - January 31st, 2024

The Artistic Guild competitions are distinctly different from our other WPJA contests because this category is specifically for photographers who use their talent to create digitally-enhanced images, staged portraits and dramatic detail images. This competition attracts documentary wedding photographers who also view themselves as artists who are constantly looking to create their next masterpiece.

Capturing love in the Italian Alps, this award-winning portrait showcases a passionate couple bathed in warm, romantic light during a breathtaking sunset in Biella, Italy.
Wedding photo taken at Divan Hotel Bodrum: A stylish bride and groom pose in front of a blue wall, both sporting sunglasses.
Capturing the essence of love amidst the beauty of nature, this award-winning black and white portrait at Villa Bonomo in Trieste, Italy showcases a couple embracing amidst a backdrop of olive trees, bathed in the romantic glow of the sunset.
The photographer captured a stunning shot of perfectly arranged shot glasses filled with alcohol on a pristine white tablecloth, surrounded by wedding guests at Hodsock Priory in Nottingham, England.
Surrounded by the rustic charm of a barn in Steamboat Springs, CO, the bride and groom share a romantic lit embrace, captured by an award-winning wedding photographer.
In Udine, Italy, a black-and-white close-up captures the wedding's unique touch: a speech sheet held by a witness, guiding the loving couple's union.
Wedding photo captured in Florence, showcasing an intimate black and white detail shot from above. The groom is seen fastening the final button of his vest.
A beautiful wedding photo captured at a reception venue in Cleveland, Ohio. This sunset image showcases the rings and key details of the special day.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - April 8th, 2024

Couples who are searching for a wedding photographer often want a pre-wedding engagement portrait session as well as wedding day photography services. Engagement photographers need to rely on their skill and expertise in order to help their couples select a meaningful location for their portrait session. These awards allow engagement photographers to submit their most moving engagement images in hopes of being recognized for their creativity and skill.

A couple in Los Gatos, CA, shares a warm embrace and small talk by the lake, radiating big smiles in a romantic setting for their engagement portrait session.
At the Bund in Shanghai, China, a couple gazes into the future, with urban streets as backdrop. A romantic portrait session capturing their love story.
A romantic engagement portrait captures a couple from Colorado College against a stunning blue sky backdrop with scenic mountains, embracing closely in silhouette.
A joyful couple recently engaged in Venice, captured in a serene portrait on a boat floating on the picturesque waters of St. Mark's Basin.
A newly engaged couple embraces with a kiss on San Giorgio Island in Venice, near the water, capturing a second of love and joy.
The sand dunes of Cidreira Beach, RS, set a romantic scene for this stunning couple's engagement portrait session, capturing their love in a breathtaking setting.
In a charming setting in West End, Atlanta, a couple gazes into each other's eyes at a wooden table under an umbrella next to a brick wall.
Captured at a gas station in Chirens city, France, this engagement portrait depicts a couple bonding over pizza at dusk, with a muscle car's lights creating a beautiful backlighting effect.

TLC - True Love Captured - March 3rd, 2023

This WPJA photography competition is focused on the emotions that are on display throughout any wedding event. The images showcase the powerful emotions that the couple are experiencing, and any of the feelings that any wedding guests may go through. The TLC contests follow a long-standing WPJA category tradition of capturing raw emotions.

The photographer captured the beautiful, emotional moment between the bride and groom after they exchanged their rings in Trieste, Italy
The wedding photojournalist captured the tender moment of the bride being embraced by her friend during the outdoor patio reception at Le fou Gascon in Prechac, Gers, France
The emotion of the proud parents hugging their son, the groom, as he prepared for his wedding day at House of the Groom in Siderno, Reggio Calabria was so beautiful it was captured as a timeless moment by the photographer
The groom's touching encouragement of his witnesses to make a speech at his outdoor ceremony at Les tables de Crespin, the reception venue in Tarn, France, was captured beautifully in this wedding photo
At the stunning Mont La Salle in Napa, CA, the moment a bridesmaid holding flowers ran to hug the bride was truly a beautiful and emotional one that the wedding photographer was able to capture
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of double happiness, with the bride giving a sweet touch on the cheek and a loving hug from behind at Strabrechtse Hoeve Mierlo
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of the bride embracing one of her great friends during the getting ready process at Cote How, The Lake District
The wedding photojournalist captured the beautiful and emotional moment of the Bride as she reads her heartfelt vows in the sunshine beneath the trees at Hardy Farm in Fryeburg, Maine