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.

Timmy Keane Wedding Photography of Timtim Media Weddings
Laura Alpizar - Wedding Photographer
Shaun Baker - Wedding Photographer and Couple Portrait Professional
Portrait of wedding photographer Sarah Nader
BestDayEver elopement and wedding photography by Teun Bakker
Massachusetts Couple Portraits by Wedding Photographer Katie Kaizer
Documentary wedding photography by Janina Brocklesby
France wedding photography by Angelique Blaise
Wedding photographer, Daniel Monteiro
Engagement, Elopement and Wedding Photography by Nicolas Bernard
Asia-based wedding photography by Narin Nirundarangkul
Parana Wedding Photography and Engagement Sessions by Heloisa Todescatt of Brazil
Istanbul wedding photography by Emre Kasap of the Turkey WPJA
BW studio portrait of Rome wedding photographer Enrico Giansanti of the Italy Lazio WPJA
BW Portrait of Wedding Photographer Ruth Blamire-Brown

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

Nathan Eames, of Dorset, is a wedding photographer for
Bruno Mattos, of Rio de Janeiro, 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.

A pro documentary wedding photographer captures the moment in Limburg when the bride is playfully hit with rice after the ceremony. Her grimace contrasts with the groom's joyful smile.
La Cour des Montys, near Nantes, France: Guests on their devices patiently await the couple's first dance, experiencing wedding fatigue after a night of celebration.
A documentary wedding photographer captured this award-winning image at a reception venue in Cotes d'Armor, Brittany, France. It shows the bride getting ready with her witnesses and mother. The photographer specializes in wedding photography in Rennes.
Bride and groom walking through paper garlands after their church wedding ceremony in Halver, Germany
At the Oasia Resort Sentosa in Singapore, a bride is caught off guard by the large size of the rice ball she must eat during a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony. The photographer captures the genuine surprise on her face.
At Halton Grove in Northumberland, England, UK, a bride is captured in this enchanting wedding day picture, as she reads her vows while being watched over by Star Wars characters, including a storm trooper, an imperial guard, and a jawa.
Bridesmaids at Le Hechet Farm in Guernsey get a unique ride to the wedding ceremony in a cattle trailer, accompanied by young farmers
Bride and groom joyfully celebrate their wedding at Felicity Church in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans, leading a second line parade

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 the city hall in Isere, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the couple's love is immortalized as they passionately kiss beside a striking modern statue - a memorable wedding portrait.
Capturing the essence of modern romance, this award-winning image showcases the stylish bride and groom sharing a twilight kiss at The Landing Tahoe Resort, with the beauty of Lake Tahoe as their backdrop.
A modern, stylish wedding portrait captured in St James Park Tube Station London. The bride and groom share a fun embrace while a contemporary touch is added by a blurred London Underground train.
Award-winning wedding photographer captures a stunning bridal portrait at The Fennes in Essex, UK. Utilizing natural window light, the artist expertly positions the bride, creating a captivating play of shadows and highlights that highlights her face.
A detailed black and white shot captured in Wallonie, Brabant Wallon. The bride's best friend is seen closing the back of her wedding dress, revealing a tattoo.
Capturing the intensity of a hot sunny day at La ferme des Bayettes, Mondreville, this award-winning wedding detail photo focuses on a female guest finding relief from the heat with a fan, beautifully contrasting highlights and shadows.
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.
A skilled wedding photographer captured the intricate beauty of henna-painted Indian wedding hands on Burano Island, Venice. The photograph exudes artistry with its black and white/sepia tones.

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.

Caught in the enchanting twilight, this couple embraces in silhouette against the backdrop of tree trunks at La Roche d'Ajoux, Poules les Echarmaux, France.
Capturing a tender scene in the enchanting Chopwell Woods, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. A couple shares a kiss amidst a soft, pastel-toned autumnal forest setting.
At Kervoyal Beach in Morbihan, France, a couple shares a long kiss between two yellow boats in a romantic setting, exuding relaxed feelings.
This engagement portrait features a couple embracing in a kiss at Minnewanka Lake in Banff, Canada. Dressed in cozy winter clothing, with the snow-covered landscape and dramatic sky as their romantic backdrop.
Recently engaged couple and their furry friend can't stop smiling during their beach engagement session in South Kingstown, RI, sitting on the sand, radiating joy, playfulness, and love.
In an idyllic setting of vineyards in Brignoles, a couple shares a sweet embrace as the sun sets, capturing the beauty of their love.
In Tarvisio, Udine, Italy, a couple shares a kiss bathed in fantastic light. The off-center, minimalistic shot captures their intimacy against a dark background in a romantic portrait session.
Captured in the serene Loonse en Drunense Duinen, Holland, this intimate engagement portrait showcases the couple in a romantic and relaxed setting, holding each other closely, framed through trees.

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 the beautiful, emotional moment between the bride and groom after they exchanged their rings in Trieste, Italy
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 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 brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo
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 tender loving moment of the bride caressing her groom's face during their wedding ceremony at Duino, Trieste, Italy was captured perfectly in the wedding photo
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
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of the bride joyously embracing her best friend on the dance floor of her San Francisco wedding reception