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.

Kobe Vanderzande creates artistic and documentary images from marriage ceremonies and reception parties
Studio portrait of Moselle wedding photographer Jonathan Gabel of the Grand Est WPJA in France
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes wedding photography by Coralie Garavel of the France WPJA
Var wedding photography by Marion Deletraz of PACA France
Studio portrait of Brittany Diliberto, an elopement and wedding photographer | Bee Two Sweet Photography
Bangor, Maine wedding photography by Hailey Crabtree
County Wicklow wedding photography by Katie Kavanagh of Leinster Ireland
BW Portrait of Wedding Photographer Ruth Blamire-Brown
NY wedding photography by Amelia Beamish
Asia-based wedding photography by Narin Nirundarangkul
Kevin Bergthold, adventurous wedding photographer of Berg Berg Photography Studio
Wenjie Han is an engagement and wedding photographer for NY
Texas wedding and elopement photography by Kristin Bednarz
Tracey Buyce Wedding Images
Couple engagement photo sessions, wedding and elopement photography by Emre Nesli
Colorado wedding photography and intimate elopements by Stacy Gillespie

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

Sylvain Bouzat, of , is a wedding photographer for
Zsofia Rebicek, of Firenze, 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.

In this award-winning photo taken at Estancia El Cholo in Rosario, Argentina, the bride joyfully throws her bouquet. The photographer is known for their expertise in capturing beautiful moments on a couple's wedding day.
Trofa, Portugal - Beautifully captured by a Portugal wedding photographer, this image shows a bride and groom holding hands in a frame adorned with multiple layers and reflections
In Winchester, Virginia, a heartwarming moment unfolds as the bride presents a gift to her flower girl before the wedding ceremony. The precious expression on the little girl's face captures the love and anticipation in the air.
Wedding guests celebrate on the action-packed dance floor at Nieuw Westert Restaurant, with a saxophonist captivating the crowd. The lively atmosphere brought together many people for a night of joyous festivities.
In the region of Ardeche, the photographer captured a beautiful moment as the bridegroom raised his glass in a toast with two men before the wedding ceremony. This image was honored by the WPJA.
At the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes reception venue in Isere, female guests protect their hair from the rain while the male guest doesn't, as they all walk across the grass on the wedding day. A picture capturing the fashionable and cautiousness of the guests.
Charente-Maritime domaine de Puyrigaud: A heartwarming moment captured during the outdoor marriage certificate signing ceremony, as the couple embraces witnesses.
Awarded by the WPJA, this captivating image by the pro documentary wedding photographer showcases a hilarious wedding moment at the Domaine de l'Orangerie. The bride has a drink spurting out of her mouth while the groom looks on in amusement

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.

A creative wedding photographer captured a close-up photo of toasting on the dance floor at the Kohl Mansion in Burlingame. The image showcases colorful DJ lights and a glass being raised in celebration.
A vintage black and white detail shot at San Galgano Abbey, Siena's Agriturismo San Galgano. An old camera, featuring wedding rings, giving it a timeless, nostalgic vibe.
Captured with a touch of modern artistry, this award-winning photograph showcases the intricate details of an Alsace wedding dress. The slow shutter speed adds a whimsical motion effect, as the dress elegantly drags along the fallen leaves.
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.
The artistic wedding photographer captures an intimate detail pic at Hethfelton House in Dorset, where the couple lovingly adjust their newly exchanged wedding rings. The black and white image emphasizes the beauty of their intertwined hands.
Award-winning wedding photograph captures bride and groom sitting at the altar during their ceremony at Santa Maria Assunta's Church in Arezzo, Italy. The black and white shot adds a timeless artistic touch.
At Uzbaş Arboretum in Urla, İzmir, Turkey, a beautiful photo captures the bride and groom on their wedding day. The couple is portrayed in a high angle shot, relaxed on couches at their wedding venue.
Wedding photo taken at Lakeview Farms Events. The couple is beautifully silhouetted against a sunset sky, with dark trees overhead framing the picture.

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 the beautiful Fűvészkert botanical garden in Budapest, Hungary, this engaged couple is framed by lush tropical palm fronds, creating a romantic and serene atmosphere.
Captured in the heart of Beijing's Wudaoying Hutong, this engagement portrait exudes the joy of Chinese red and Fu characters. The couple embraces indoors, with reflections in the glass, creating a romantic and intimate setting.
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 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.
A serene and beautiful engagement portrait captured at the Enid A Haupt Garden in Washington DC, showcasing the love and connection between the couple.
In a cozy hotel hall in Aix les Bains, a couple in love share a tender session among dreamy bokeh lights. They are close together, holding each other.
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.
Capturing a session in Venice, Italy, this monochromatic engagement portrait features a couple walking under the arches of Palazzo Ducale, emanating a timeless vintage charm.

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 a beautiful moment of a hug between the bride and groom at Palacio de los Cordova, Granada, Spain, after receiving and giving comfort through the Chinese tea ceremony gifts from the parents, full of emotion and true love
The photographer captured a beautiful moment at Montlouis sur Loire, as the two mothers of the couple tearfully embraced outdoors
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 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 photograph captured a beautiful and emotional moment as the bride held back tears while saying her vows outdoors at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI
The beautiful moment of a bride wiping away her mother's tears of joy at Help Beach, Fethiye, Mugla was captured by the wedding photographer
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