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.

Italy wedding and elopement photography by Alice Franchi
Portrait of Katharine Green from Katie Corinne Wedding Photography Studio
Capture beautiful moments on your special day with the talented wedding photographer Chris Werner in Northern California's stunning Lake Tahoe.
San Antonio wedding photography by Kelly Williams of the Texas WPJA
Rustbelt Mayberry Wedding Photographer, Erin Ninehouser
Portrait of Munster-based wedding photographer Marie O'Mahony of the Ireland WPJA
Zurich wedding photography by Mischa Baettig of Switzerland
At-work image of Europe-based Destination Wedding and Elopement Photographer Sofia Camplioni
Studio portrait of French wedding reportage photographer David Blateyron
Engagement, elopement and wedding photography by Nicola Hudson
Studio portrait of Rish Agarwal, a candid wedding photographer
Portrait of Nottinghamshire elopement and wedding photographer Martin Makowski, of United Kingdom England East Midlands
Portrait of Wedding Photographer Sarah Priestap
Bulgaria Wedding and Elopement Photographer Metodi Zheynov
Lisbon wedding and elopement photography by Pedro Vilela of Portugal
Studio portrait of New England small wedding and elopement photographer Nicole Chan

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

Annie Bang, of California, is a wedding photographer for Ciudad Victoria, Mexico
Armour House wedding photojournalim Ruthie Hauge Photography

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 Jaipur, India, the groom arrives on horseback for a traditional wedding ceremony
Milpitas wedding photojournalist captures the bride being playfully ambushed by friends and cousins, as they apply turmeric to her face and neck in preparation for her big day
Kids being kids, hanging out by the window at Crown Casino Hotel in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, while a woman gets her dress ready for the wedding. A playful and heartwarming moment captured before the ceremony.
In Fort Collins, Colorado, a documentary wedding photographer captured this award-winning image of a couple sharing their first kiss in the mountain chapel with a view, surrounded by their wedding guests.
Bride and Groom happily exit the aisle at Quinta Roma Vista in Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica, as their guests cheerfully throws bubbles in celebration of their special day.
Chinese Door Games at Ulysses Hotel in Baltimore, MD: Groom and groomsmen strike a pose, mimicking a picture, impressing the bride during a fun-filled wedding celebration
Fort Collins, Colorado Wedding Ceremony  - The bride beams with smiles as she almost loses her veil during a windy wedding ceremony
Groom and his family at Oxford College, Oxford, UK, captured in a moment of preparation before the wedding ceremony

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 the anticipation and joy of the bride, this award-winning image showcases a close-up of her hand and flowers she leaves the church in Lisbon, Portugal. The bouquet held tightly inside the car, accompanied by vibrant confetti on the ground.
In the beautiful setting of Mersin Hilton Hotel, a joyous wedding scene unfolds at night as the bride and groom share a heartfelt kiss, surrounded by their loving friends.
An award-winning wedding day image captured by a creative photographer at Casina Macchia Madama in Rome. The photo showcases intricate details of the bride's dress, veil, and the groom's hand, beautifully illuminated by soft, warm sunlight.
Capturing love's tender embrace, this award-winning photograph showcases a bride and groom at the picturesque Domaine de Conseillant. Against a backdrop of a stone block wall, their silhouettes softly touch noses.
Capturing their modern love story, this award-winning portrait frames the stylish couple against the backdrop of a Boston subway train, embodying contemporary romance with a touch of artistic flair.
Capturing the anticipation of the wedding day preparations, the talented photographer beautifully focuses in on a hand delicately grabbin a bridesmaid dress, providing an intimate glimpse into the wedding day details.
Wedding detail image showcasing appetizers suspended above a floral centerpiece, captured from a higher perspective. Located at Little Pearl in Washington DC.
Newlyweds embrace nature's beauty as they stand near the water and trees, surrounded by exposed tree roots in Lipnik Park. This unique wedding day portrait captures their love in an enchanting setting.

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.

In this engagement portrait, a beautiful woman gazes lovingly at her fiancé through a delicate fishnet veil, set against a backdrop at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium.
In the charming setting of Old Town, Fort Collins, Colorado, a couple shares a sweet embrace in an alleyway - he lovingly hugs her from behind. A relaxed and romantic portrait session captures their love.
In the picturesque Dutch nature reserve, this couple enjoyed a leisurely engagement shoot filled with laughter and romantic gestures, creating a relaxed and charming portrait session.
In this engagement portrait taken in the charming Historic Center of Pistoia, the couple is seen holding hands, close together in a flower garden, creating a romantic and relaxed atmosphere.
Captured at Ecoche, the couple shares a serene session in nature at dusk, sipping champagne and sharing laughter and silly chatter.
Embracing the romantic ambiance of Fort Collins, Colorado, this engagement portrait captures a couple in Old Town at sunset, with her tenderly holding his arm, beautifully illuminated by the photographer.
Captured against the stunning backdrop of Rhode Island's First Beach, this engagement portrait radiates joy and playful fun, enhanced by a surprise double rainbow and a beautiful sunset.
A beautiful silhouette of a couple's close profile faces at the iconic Pont du Gard, capturing their love amidst the ancient Roman aqueduct.

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 at Montlouis sur Loire, as the two mothers of the couple tearfully embraced outdoors
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 tears of joy from the groom and ring bearer as the bride walked down the aisle at the Westin Playa Conchal in Guanacaste, Costa Rica were captured beautifully in the wedding photo
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 bride's parents' emotional embrace and tears at the Chinese tea wedding ceremony in Sanya, Hainan, China was truly a beautiful moment to be captured by the photographer
The happy couple leaving their civil ceremony in Biarritz, France with their little boy beaming with joy at his parents' marriage, is captured wonderfully in this wedding photo, showing the love from his mother
The bride and her father shared an emotional moment as he kissed her head in the back of the limo just before the ceremony, captured perfectly in their wedding photo from Trieste, Italy
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