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.

Bulgaria Wedding and Elopement Photographer Metodi Zheynov
Studio portrait of France wedding photographer Ariane Duplaceau
Caterina Errani - WPJA Profile Image of wedding and elopement photographer
Caroline Elenbaas, or Caroline Peeters, wedding and elopement photographer by Cfoto
PNW Wedding and Elopement Photography by Brianna Parks
Studio portrait of wedding photographer Sierra Dawn
Italy wedding and elopement photography by Alessandro Di Noia
Elizabeth Prybylo, a Portland Maine Wedding & Portrait Photographer
Wedding and elopement photography by Peter Rowen
BW Lifestyle Portrait of Jessica Evrard, a Wedding and Elopement Photographer
Milan small wedding photography by Federico Fasano of Lombardy Italy
BW studio portrait of Toronto wedding photographer Thomas Campean, of Ontario Canada
Wedding photographer, Daniel Monteiro
Navarre wedding photography by Matt Kolf in Spain
Adventure marriage images by Nicky Byrnes of Nemus Wedding Photography
Studio portrait of engagement, wedding and elopement photographer Scott Josuweit
Timmy Keane Wedding Photography of Timtim Media Weddings

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

Elena Haralabaki, of Attica, is a wedding photographer for
Gerhard Nel, of Zuid Holland, is a wedding photographer for
Layers of emotion and action in this wedding photo at the reception.

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 Hamilton Hall in Salem, Massachusetts, guests with flowing, long hair show off their dance moves with hair flying in the air as they head bang the night away at this epic wedding celebration.
A groom prepares for his wedding day with his friends in Bardos, France. This award-winning photo captures the special moments before the ceremony at the beautiful domaine Etxezahar.
A stunning wedding exit at Loiret's city hall in Centre-Val de Loire. The bride and groom celebrate their special day amidst a beautiful shower of red flower petals, under a picturesque blue sky and radiant sunshine.
Mother of the Bride helping her daughter put on jewelry at their home in Maine-et-Loire, France during the wedding preparations
Young girl running with a balloon on a string during the cocktail hour in the outdoor venue of Domaine de Messenas in Maissenas, Roissard (Isère)
A guest sprinkles confetti on the bride's head while giving her a hug at Scotties Garage in Seaford, Melbourne. This image won an award from the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA).
At La Closeraie wedding venue in Burgundy, the pro documentary photographer captures an award-winning image. With layered reflections and artistic flair, this stunning image showcases their creativity.
Bride's dress gracefully billowing in the wind during an outdoor ceremony in the Green Mountains of Vermont, at Jeffersonville

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 wedding photographer captures an award-winning scene as a couple, accompanied by their furry friend, takes a leisurely stroll on the beach near their reception venue in Morbihan, Brittany.
In a picturesque reception venue in Ardeche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the newlyweds share a tender post ceremony wedding kiss under the veil.
A wedding photo, taken at the heart of Albi town center in Tarn, France, capturing a tender embrace with the couple kissing, framed by a red barrier.
A high angle view captures the image of young boys in suits, holding the wedding rings in a heart-shaped wooden box, at Ottenstein Castle in Austria.
Wedding photographer captures a breathtaking bridal portrait at Mill City Ruins in MN. The image features a colorful atmosphere with a translucent rainbow flag gracefully enveloping the entire frame.
At Arapahoe Basin, a bride and her parents ride the chair lift to the mid-mountain ceremony. The photographer captures this stunning image, showcasing the unique venue and creating an award-winning image.
An artistic wedding photographer captures the intricate details of wedding rings against the rustic backdrop of a roaring fireplace at a cozy Chicago winery, embracing the romantic ambiance with warm bokeh circles.
Wedding photo captured at Palazzo Valenti Gonzaga in Mantua, Italy. Detail of groom's shoes covered in rice after the traditional rice throwing ceremony.

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.

Capturing the essence of romance in Venice, Italy, this engagement portrait focuses on the intricate detail of the engagement ring, with profiled faces on the verge of a kiss. The high key, high contrast monochromatic tones exude a vintage feel.
The romantic couple stands in St Mark's Square, Venice, with a backdrop of San Giorgio Island and gondolier docks, capturing the essence of their engagement beautifully.
A romantic engagement portrait of a couple in San Francisco, CA, captured in the soft pastel light of the afternoon sun.
In the charming Beijing Wudaoying Hutong, this engaged couple showcased joy and playfulness while walking through the narrow alleyways for their portrait session.
In a lush jungle setting in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, a couple lovingly shares a kiss surrounded by vibrant palm fronds.
Capturing the joy and playfulness of a couple in Beijing's Wudaoying Hutong, this engagement portrait session in a Chinese courtyard exudes fun and happiness.
A couple is captured in a romantic dip at sunset on the beach in Var, France. Playfully dancing and dipping in the sea, they share a kiss.
In Phalsbourg, France, a couple embraces each other as two cars pass by in black and white. The blurred portrait has a nostalgic vintage vibe.

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 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 the W Hotel in Chicago, IL captured a beautiful moment of the bride kissing her grandma right before walking down the aisle
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 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 wedding photojournalist at Fleurance, Gers, France captured a heartwarming moment of the groom embracing his daughter as he prepared for his big day
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 of the bride joyously embracing her best friend on the dance floor of her San Francisco wedding reception
The photographer captured a beautiful moment at Montlouis sur Loire, as the two mothers of the couple tearfully embraced outdoors