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.

Rob Dodsworth - Wedding Reportage Images
Documentary wedding photography by Taber Lacie
Adventure elopement and wedding photography by Mike Kory
Rustbelt Mayberry Wedding Photographer, Erin Ninehouser
Lyon Wedding Photography by Elise Julliard of Rhone, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, France
Creative wedding and elopement photography by Ernie Savarese
Studio portrait of French wedding reportage photographer David Blateyron
Chicago wedding and elopement photography by Milan Lazic of Illinois United States
Kirill Brusilovsky wedding photography for creative couples
Wiltshire Wedding Reportage Photography by Alex Buckland of Cotswolds England United Kingdom
BW portrait of England UK wedding reportage photographer Simon Biffen
Xiaoqi Li - Artistic wedding and engagement photographer
Katarina Nichol wedding and elopement photography
Bordeaux, Gironde wedding photography by Pierre Cassagne
Marco Angius Photo Studio Portrait - Weddings, Events, Advertising
Wedding and elopement photography by Zsofia Rebicek - Light&Dreams
Wedding photography and couple portraits by Francesca Vitulano of Framelines

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

Gaelle Caré, of Indre (36) , is a wedding photographer for
Bride wields knife and cake at outdoor wedding in Boulder, Colorado.

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.

At Lieu de la cérémonie, the bride's grandfather stands up and tells a joke to make the crowd and the newlyweds laugh just before the start of the secular ceremony.
Maid of Honor captures a candid image with the bride and groom in a fun selfie at Maple Leaf Events in Stevenson, Washington, USA, showcasing their joy on their wedding day.
Reception venue in Paris, Île-de-France - the father of the bride giving a speech, captured in a minimalist shot with palm trees silhouetted in the background
At Kohl Mansion in Burlingame, a documentary wedding photographer captured this award-winning image. It shows a charming dance between the groom and his granny, illuminated by vibrant DJ lights and surrounded by a misty fog.
Reception Venue, Manoir des Foulons in Rosay, France: Bride throws bouquet to single girls eagerly waiting to catch it at the wedding
A documentary wedding photographer captures the sweet moment of flower girls preparing for the big day in Atlanta, Georgia. They can be seen checking their makeup in a mirror. This image has won the prestigious WPJA award.
A young girl covers her ears as a singer-guitarist performs in the background at The Ravenswood Wedding Venue in West Sussex, England.
In Paris, Île-de-France, the groom, the bride, and their son step out of the ceremony under streamers held by guests

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.

An award-winning wedding day detail picture captures the intimate scene when a couple, after their portrait session, returns to their guests at Espace Maitena, Anglet, France, holding hands tightly.
In this award-winning portrait, captured at the bride's childhood home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the bride is beautifully framed within the front door. The photographer expertly captures the essence of the wedding day.
In this award-winning wedding image at Union Station in Chicago, IL, a couple basks in their love, framed by vibrant tall columns.
Capturing a moment of groom anticipation at Montmartre, Paris, this award-winning photograph showcases a beautiful black-and-white image that highlights the symmetry created by the grooms checking their bowties in the mirrors.
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.
A captivating wedding day portrait where the couple, bathed in the warm glow of a setting sun, stand amidst a parched field at Mas des Oliviers, their love and anticipation radiating through the lens.
A talented wedding photographer captures a stunning black and white portrait at Angelbachtal, Baden-Württemberg. The couple strikes a separated pose in front of a large cross, creating a dramatic and artistic image.
In a Parisian wine cellar, the groom and his friends share a laugh, illuminated by a single lamp. Laughter and friendship fill the air in this award-winning wedding day portrait.

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 romantic engagement portrait in Lyon, capturing the couple indoors with a warm light illuminating their intertwined hands and showcasing the engagement ring.
In the peaceful Pentland Hills of Edinburgh, Scotland, a soon-to-be-wed couple enjoys a relaxed evening portrait session in a romantic natural setting.
In Phalsbourg, France, a couple poses in front of heart-shaped green shutters for their engagement portrait, showcasing love and charm.
Paris - Bagatelle gardens. A pre-wedding engagement session capturing a tender embrace between the couple in love amidst the beauty of nature.
In a romantic engagement portrait taken in Roussillon, France, the couple shares a deep, soulful gaze, capturing the intensity of their connection in a black and white tight shot.
A stunning engagement portrait of a couple captured in the city of Aix les Bains, gazing into each other's eyes in a reflection in a puddle on the urban streets.
A romantic engagement portrait captures a couple from Colorado College against a stunning blue sky backdrop with scenic mountains, embracing closely in silhouette.
A couple lying down in a ying/yang pose, kissing at the Sierra Nevada. A timeless and romantic black and white portrait in Granada, Spain.

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 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
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 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 brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of the bride joyously embracing her best friend on the dance floor of her San Francisco wedding reception
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 bride's tearful joy and the groom's humorous charm were beautifully captured in a wedding photo at Snowmass, Aspen Colorado with a backdrop of fall colored trees during their outdoor ceremony
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