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.

Wedding Photographer Chanarthip Cheingthong, for Thailand
Tracey Buyce Wedding Images
Germany wedding pictures, elopement couple shoots and elopement photography by Michael Geyer
Caroline Elenbaas, or Caroline Peeters, wedding and elopement photographer by Cfoto
Kobe Vanderzande creates artistic and documentary images from marriage ceremonies and reception parties
Rustbelt Mayberry Wedding Photographer, Erin Ninehouser
Rob Dodsworth - Wedding Reportage Images
Song Johns wedding and elopement photography of Blooming Dreams Photo
Portrait of Wedding and Elopement Photographer Megan Hannah
Chicago wedding and elopement photography by Milan Lazic of Illinois United States
Engagement, elopements and wedding photography by Sujith Kumar of Incognito frames
Emie McGee wedding photography studio - Emie's Photo LLC
Destination wedding photography by Inokss Ina
France wedding photography in a documentary style by Florian Maguin
UK photographer: Martin Dabek
England engagement, wedding and elopement photography by Hollie Mateer of M and G Wedding Photography

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

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...

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...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

Nikhol Esteras, of Oaxaca, is a wedding photographer for San Francisco, Nayarit
Salvo Moroni, of Catania, is a wedding photographer for
Bozhidar Krastev, of Ruse, is a wedding photographer for

WPJA Contest Photos - June 6th, 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.

A moment captured at Wilton's Music Hall in London by a talented WPJA photographer. A young guest taking a playful rest during the wedding breakfast adds a touch of childlike joy to the special occasion.
This UK wedding photograph, captured by a skilled photographer at Offley Place in Hertfordshire, UK, captures a beautiful and tender moment between a mother and daughter at a Hindu wedding. Witness the mother's loving touch and the daughter's joy.
Wedding photo of group rolling a barrel at Domaine de la Clausade Mauguio. Creative use of props adds a unique touch to this shot.
Newlyweds happily exit the city hall, surrounded by celebrations and joy, with confetti and bubble guns adding to the whimsy of their special day at Mairie de Rennes.
Bride at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna VA, being lovingly attended to as lipstick gets wiped off her cheek.
A beautiful moment captured by an award-winning WPJA photographer in Nottinghamshire, UK. The bride and groom's hands hold each other as a ring is placed on the bride's finger during their Islamic wedding ceremony.
This stunning wedding image captures the sindoor moment at Farmhouse, Bhopal. The bride's emotional expression perfectly encapsulates the traditional Indian marriage ceremony.
A romantic moment captured at Novanta 90 reception venue as the newly married couple shares a kiss after the bride's heartfelt speech. A beautiful celebration of love and unity.

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.

Taken by an artistic wedding photographer at Careys Manor in Hampshire, image displays the stunning gold shoes worn by bridesmaids, alongside the bride. The warm tones and tight composition showcase the intricate details of the dresses and shoes.
Award-winning wedding image captures the groom in reflection, donning his shirt at a stunning Chateauroux location in Indre. This artistic shot beautifully showcases the anticipation and preparation on the wedding day.
Newlyweds stand on isolated stumps, capturing their love amidst the serene beauty of Germany's Schwäbische Alb. A striking black-and-white portrait celebrating the couple's unique bond.
Captured at the Angelbachtal, this award-winning photo showcases the allure of a bride gazing out of a church window, bathed in soft light that accentuates her elegance.
Capturing the intricate preparations, the award-winning photographer beautifully frames a wedding guest engrossed in painting signs for the enchanting festivities at the Derbyshire Air B N B in Derbyshire, England.
Award-winning photo of the bride's radiant beauty against the backdrop of a rustic, warm-toned peeling stucco wall in Florence, Tuscany.
In Rhone, France, at the Cour Dorée Event Venue, a wedding photo captures a couple in a sunflower field, with the groom hugging and kissing the bride from behind.
A wedding reception in Denver, Colorado at dusk. The image captures the father-daughter dance indoors, just after sunset, with a beautiful outdoor view in the background.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - May 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.

At Dowsers' Beach in Osterville, Massachusetts, a couple walks together in a field of tall grass, basking in the warm light of the setting sun, encapsulating their love.
In Schalksmühle, Germany, the couple lovingly kisses under the umbrellas during their engagement portrait session.
During a photo session at Korineum Hotel in Kyrenia, Cyprus, the couple poses in a symmetrical shot with trees surrounding them, looking up towards the sky from a low position in the frame.
A man and woman are at Harkness Park in Waterford, CT, USA, dancing in a vine-covered secret garden with stone pillars that look like they're from the ancient old world.
At the top of steps near massive old world stone pillars in the sunshine, a couple in London, UK posed for their engagement portrait session before their upcoming wedding.
The man and woman are hugging near stone walls and stone pillars that look like they are from a very old time, at the art museum in Brussels.
At their private home in Ravenna, Italy, the couple shared a sweet kiss with their eyes closed, capturing the pure love they have for each other against a simple white backdrop.
At Oxford City Centre, the bride and groom-to-be share laughs, stand face to face with smiles, and embrace warmly in front of autumn leaves.

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 a beautiful moment of the bride embracing one of her great friends during the getting ready process at Cote How, The Lake District
The photographer captured the beautiful moment of a wedding guest giving the bride a big hug and a kiss on the cheek at the Private Home in Congham, Norfolk, UK
The wedding photo taken at West Haven, Connecticut captured a touching moment of a groom shedding tears as his mother lovingly does his hair for the big day
The photographer captured a beautiful and emotional moment as a Bari bride lovingly greeted her ailing grandmother, who was unfortunately unable to join the celebration of her special day
The photographer at Ashton Creek Vineyard in Richmond, Virginia captured a beautiful moment of the bride and bridesmaids tearfully witnessing the groom's heartfelt vows
The photographer at Ancenis, France captured a heart-warming moment of the bride holding hands with her father-in-law as he saw her for the first time in her wedding dress before the ceremony
The wedding photojournalist at Fleurance, Gers, France captured a heartwarming moment of the groom embracing his daughter as he prepared for his big day
The wedding photographer captured a timeless moment of love and joy as the bride's grandparents danced in an embrace at the Mountain Top Inn in Vermont