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.

Portrait of French wedding photographer, Solène Lagant
BW Portrait of Wedding Photographer Ruth Blamire-Brown
Edeelin Labra, Northern CA wedding photography
Lyon wedding photography by Mallory Davies of the Rhone Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes France
NL documentary wedding and elopement photography by Elke Teurlings - Azcona Fotografie
Portrait of Wedding Photographer Denise Chastain
Marco Angius Photo Studio Portrait - Weddings, Events, Advertising
Rochester wedding photography by Bob Kniley of Upstate New York
Isabelle Bazin Wedding and Elopement Photographer - isasouri photo
Casey Fatchett Wedding Photography
Samuel Berthelot - Jolie Histoire Photographie
Lifestyle portrait of England wedding photographer Tori Deslauriers
Rob Dodsworth - Wedding Reportage Images
United Kingdom wedding photography, engagement portraits and elopements by Jenny Rutterford
Couple engagement portraits by wedding photographer Joshua Grasso
Tracey Buyce Wedding Images
Timmy Keane Wedding Photography of Timtim Media Weddings
Rhode Island and Providence wedding and elopement photography by Kathryn Yeaton

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

Vu Nguyen, of , is a wedding photographer for
Arnaud Delaunay, of Eure-et-Loir (28) , is a wedding photographer for
Jerome Villard, of , 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.

Celebrating love at Hall Barns, Leicestershire, UK, this skilled wedding photographer captures a tender moment. The image showcases the bride and groom sharing a kiss, beautifully framed by two joyful guests on the dance floor.
Wedding day picture at Le Clos de l'Orangerie in Rosny-sur-Seine, France - a sentimental moment as the groom shares a cigar with his cousin and uncle. A heartwarming family connection on this special day.
A WPJA awarded wedding photo captures a bridesmaid putting on mascara at a private house in Tucson, Arizona. The image showcases the behind-the-scenes moments of a wedding day.
At Random Row Brewing in Charlottesville, a couple is captured in this wedding day photo as they share a joyous moment of laughter while walking down the aisle, holding hands
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
At Château sainte foix d'Anthé in France, a stunning bride joyfully tosses her bouquet overhead to a group of eagerly awaiting ladies, showing the excitement and tradition of a beautiful wedding day.
A wedding photographer in Nottingham captures a WPJA awarded image at the Walled Garden. In the photo, a singing waiter leads a joyful dance around the marquee, creating a fun moment for the newlyweds.
Wedding day at White Castle in Scottsdale, AZ, where a unique tradition has guests throwing onions at the happy couple. This White Castle wedding showcases the bride and groom in stunning historic costumes.

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.

At Spring Ranch, a picturesque venue in Mendocino, California, a wedding photographer captures a captivating moment. The bride and groom strike an American Gothic pose, exuding style, against the backdrop of a rustic barn.
This award-winning photo showcases intricate details of Amalfi flower girls delicately walking on paved square stones, perfectly complementing the bride's stunning layered dress.
Capturing the scene with exquisite detail, the photographer beautifully frames the bride as she applies her vibrant red lipstick, enhancing the stunning red hues of the luxurious British Pullman train.
The award-winning wedding photographer captured this stunning black and white symmetrical portrait of the bride and groom during their wedding reception at a restaurant terrace in Paris, France.
An artistic wedding photographer captured a stunning minimalist detail shot at Chateau de la Sebrandière, showcasing beautiful soft light on the bride's chest, highlighting her dress and jewelry.
An artistic wedding photographer captures a close-up image at the bride's house in Bovezzo (Bs), featuring the bride's shoe beautifully framed through a delicate veil of her wedding dress.
In this award-winning image captured by an artistic wedding photographer with a modern and stylish approach, the bridal dress is elegantly safeguarded, hanging near a window in Île-de-France before the ceremony in Paris.
Capturing their love amidst the golden embrace of a wheat field in historic Via Labicana, Rome, this award-winning portrait exudes an ethereal beauty, with the groom gently gazing at his radiant bride.

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.

In Breckenridge, Colorado, a couple in love posed for pictures before their wedding day, smiling warmly and playfully while he carried her on his back.
Amidst the stunning backdrop of Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire, a black and white image captures the silhouette of the bride and groom-to-be standing in the tree line on the golf course.
During the engagement portrait session at Art District, LA, the couple stands in front of one of the district's cat murals while holding their small white dog together, capturing their fun and anticipation for their upcoming wedding.
During their engagement portrait session at Istanbul Galata Port, the couple shared a tender and warm embrace in front of the elaborate architectural patterns of the tall background, foreshadowing the love that would soon be celebrated at their wedding.
During their love session at Lyon Confluence Quai de Saone, the couple's affection and joy radiated through each photo, capturing the anticipation of their upcoming marriage.
In Palo Alto, CA, the couple posed together at the peaceful outdoor cafe, a shot carefully composed to be symmetrical and simple.
In the Museum of Arts in Brussels, the man and woman gaze into each other's eyes, embracing near stone pillars that look like they come from an ancient time.
In Labenne, France, silhouettes on the dune captured in a minimalist black and white shot show the couple in a tender embrace, preparing for their upcoming wedding.

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 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
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 a beautiful moment as the bride embraced her friends in a group hug at the reception of Hardy Farm in Fryeburg, Maine
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 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 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 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 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