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.

Kevin Heslin, Costa Rica Wedding Photography
UK photographer: Martin Dabek
Lisbon wedding and elopement photography by Pedro Vilela of Portugal
PNW Wedding and Elopement Photography by Brianna Parks
Wedding Photography by Jola Mulder
England elopement and wedding reportage photography by James Pearce - United Kingdom WPJA Pro
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Nilufer Nalbantoglu
Navarre wedding photography by Matt Kolf in Spain
BW studio portrait of New Hampshire & New England wedding & elopement photographer Robert Ortiz
Portrait of Gabor Kapuvari, an award-winning wedding photographer of Budapest, Hungary
Italy Wedding and Elopement Photography
Song Johns wedding and elopement photography of Blooming Dreams Photo
Asia-based wedding photography by Narin Nirundarangkul
United States destination documentary wedding photography by Taber Lacie
Lifestyle portrait of Rheinland-Pfalz wedding photographer Stephanie Schneider-Kieslich of Germany
Germany wedding pictures, elopement couple shoots and elopement photography by Michael Geyer

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

Franck Petit, of , is a wedding photographer for
Ohio wedding photographer

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.

Crolles church in Grenoble, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France, witnesses the end of a Catholic ceremony as guests shower the couple with confetti against the backdrop of the stone church
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.
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.
Couple's first kiss during the ceremony outdoors on the grass under questionable storm clouds in New Haven, Vermont
Bride tenderly fixes groom's hair at the Sunrise Amphitheater in Boulder, CO, USA, on their special day. The couple shares a heartwarming moment during the outdoor ceremony, set against a serene, overcast backdrop.
Bride and groom participate in a tradition Filipino money dance at the Community Rowing Boathouse in Brighton, Massachusetts, with money pinned to their clothes. This lively and vibrant wedding custom adds a unique touch to the celebration.
California Wedding Dance Party: Groomsmen having a blast in the 'photo booth', spicing up the celebration with party hats and fun photo props
At a Moselle reception venue, the bride is throwing her bouquet of flowers, as all the guests eagerly await to catch it, both men and women.

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.

The award-winning wedding photographer captures a special scene at Domaine de Réputé in Sainte Cécile, France. The image shows the bride, groom, and their children wearing vintage-style shoes that perfectly complement the venue's charm.
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.
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.
A couple celebrates their marriage in a peaceful field at the Avenue in Sarver, PA. The groom joyfully lifts his bride, enveloped in the warm glow of sunlight, creating a romantic wedding day portrait.
Wedding scene set at St. Peter's Church, Guernsey. The bride, father, and bridesmaids gather in the church doorway moments before the ceremony begins.
In the romantic setting of Villa Bonomo in Trieste, Italy, the bride holds her bouquet as she embraces her groom in the gentle sunlight.
Award-winning portrait of a modern, stylish couple sharing a romantic kiss in the red setting of the Lyceum Theatre auditorium on their wedding day in Sheffield, England.
Wedding photo taken in Morbihan, Brittany, on the beach. The bride poses against a rustic wood boat adorned with a beautiful artistic mural, creating a vibrant and captivating portrait.

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.

At the Galata Bridge in Turkey, a stylish couple is posing and dancing in front of an industrial panel wall for their engagement photos before their wedding.
In Gorizia, Italy, a couple sits on a wall hugging each other in a cozy setting with red leaves on trees in the background for their engagement photo shoot.
At Poitiers, a couple shares a sweet kiss surrounded by beautiful wisteria during their photo shoot to celebrate their love and upcoming wedding.
At Downtown Los Angeles, CA, the couple stand on the roof of their condo complex, illuminated by soft backlit, sunset lighting, capturing their love as they prepare to say "I do."
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.
At Milano Navigli, a couple wandered through the local streets, basking in the warm afternoon light, capturing the essence of their love before they say "I do."
In Istanbul's Yildiz Park, during their engagement photo session, he tenderly carries his soon-to-be bride across the cable-hung swing pedestrian bridge, capturing love and joy.
During their engagement portrait session, the couple having fun on the beach at Isla Saona, Dominican Republic.

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 at the W Hotel in Chicago, IL captured a beautiful moment of the bride kissing her grandma right before walking down the aisle
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 wedding photographer captured a timeless moment of love and joy as the bride's grandparents danced in an embrace at the Mountain Top Inn in Vermont
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 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 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 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 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