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 Wedding Photographer Sarah Priestap
United Kingdom wedding reportage-style photography by Tracy Morter
Song Johns wedding and elopement photography of Blooming Dreams Photo
Emie McGee wedding photography studio - Emie's Photo LLC
Engagement, elopement, and wedding photography by Andrew Morrell
Massachusetts Couple Portraits by Wedding Photographer Katie Kaizer
Studio portrait of Wes Shinn - owner / wedding and elopement photography studio
UK wedding reportage photography by Elodie Ruelleux-Dagorne
Canada wedding and elopement photography by Lauren Hannah Garcia
London wedding and elopement photography by Gyula Lovaszi, of England, United Kingdom
Studio portrait of New England wedding photographer Blake Thomas
Deanna Johnson wedding photography
Asia-based wedding photography by Narin Nirundarangkul
Jerome Pollos Self Portrait, a wedding and elopement photographer of the WPJA
Wedding photography and engagement portraits by Loic Bourniquel of France

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

Renan Radici, of Rio Grande do Sul, is a wedding photographer for Vinícola Laurentia - Barra do Ribeiro - Brasil
Goran Vadlja Kamenjašević, 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.

At Rise Hall, Yorkshire, England, the bridal party gracefully descends the elegant staircase, creating a picturesque prelude to the wedding ceremony.
This WPJA awarded image captured by a skilled documentary wedding photographer shows a synchronized dance at a reception venue in Krakow, Poland. The dancers are reflected multiple times in wall-mounted mirrors, adding a beautiful and unique visual effect
Two guests enjoying garden games on bouncy space hoppers during the reception at Scrivelsby Walled Garden in Lincolnshire
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.
At Nanping, Fujian, home, the groom tackles an exciting game segment during the wedding, as he navigates a ladder to reach the bride's home, with the groomsmen eagerly anticipating below
Downtown Pittsburgh, PA: Local woman assists bride by brushing off invasive species lanternfly from her gown as she heads to her wedding ceremony with her maids
The couple exits the church at Lourdes, France, under a shower of confetti from their friends and guests
Fort Collins, Colorado Wedding Ceremony  - The bride beams with smiles as she almost loses her veil during a windy 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.

Wedding photo taken at Hacienda Sitio de Mata in Costa Rica, showing the Bride and Groom gazing at each other inside a beautiful gazebo, with the stunning view as a background.
Capturing the essence of love among the bustling streets of Istanbul, this award-winning wedding portrait depicts the blissful couple sitting on a bench as a passing motor scooter adds a touch of whimsical dynamism.
Award-winning image captured at Three Peaks Ranch in Westcliffe, CO. The bride elegantly prepares for her special day in the charming and romantic getting ready cabin.
In a picturesque setting at Hi-Level Golf Course, Kossuth, PA, a wedding unfolds amidst a moody atmosphere, with soft lighting and a layer of fog creating a captivating scene.
Captured at the Larmer Tree Gardens in Wiltshire, UK, this award-winning photograph showcases the artistry of a wedding photographer. The bride and groom gracefully stand together under an umbrella, embracing the magic of a rainy evening ceremony.
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.
In this acclaimed photo, a professional wedding photographer captured a breathtaking scene at Mar de Eucaliptos venue. The black and white image displays a romantic couple surrounded by ethereal clouds.
In the charming vineyards of San Floriano del Collio, Gorizia, Italy, a glorious wedding session unfolds with a passionate kiss between the bride and groom, an exquisite tilt in their embrace.

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.

During their pre-wedding photo shoot at Castillo de la Iruela in Spain, the couple lovingly kissed and posed in a playful manner, surrounded by lush greenery.
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.
While at San Francisco's Historic Sutro Baths, the couple lovingly embraced each other by the ocean pool ruins during their engagement portrait session.
In Baeza, Jaén, Spain, before their wedding, a couple poses playfully together, throwing their hats towards the camera in a charming alleyway with ancient stone walls.
In Trieste, Italy, a couple stands in silhouette against the colorful sunset with a sailboat in the background, capturing their love and excitement during their engagement portrait session.
At the private courtyard in Milano, a couple in love shares a tender kiss, captured in stunning black and white during their engagement portrait session.
In Cham, Switzerland, the couple poses together for their engagement photos, with the groom-to-be holding a popping champagne bottle while the bride-to-be holds two empty glasses.
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.

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 a beautiful moment as the bride embraced her friends in a group hug at the reception of Hardy Farm in Fryeburg, Maine
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 at Ashton Creek Vineyard in Richmond, Virginia captured a beautiful moment of the bride and bridesmaids tearfully witnessing the groom's heartfelt vows
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 photographer captured the emotional moment of the bride picking up her friend in a foggy embrace on the dance floor of her Montpellier wedding
The bride's beautiful reaction to seeing her special best man seated in the front row was captured by the photographer at Chácara Caiambá - Pedro Leopoldo - Minas Gerais
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 emotion of the proud parents hugging their son, the groom, as he prepared for his wedding day at House of the Groom in Siderno, Reggio Calabria was so beautiful it was captured as a timeless moment by the photographer