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.

United Kingdom wedding reportage photography by Andrew Heeley
Italy elopement and wedding photography by Andrea Sampoli
Pro documentary-style wedding photography by Bradley Hanson
Kitchener, Ontario wedding and elopement photography by Lori-Anne Crewe - Canada WPJA
Wedding and elopement photography by Amanda Lamb
Capture beautiful moments on your special day with the talented wedding photographer Chris Werner in Northern California's stunning Lake Tahoe.
Studio portrait of Brittany Diliberto, an elopement and wedding photographer | Bee Two Sweet Photography
Chartres Wedding Photography by Arnaud Delaunay of Eure-et-Loir, Centre-Val de Loire, France
Portrait of Bill Tse, Wedding Photographer
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Natasha Lamalle
Italy wedding photography by Danilo Coluccio
Isabelle Dohin is a wedding photographer based in France
Wenjie Han is an engagement and wedding photographer for NY
Documentary wedding photography by Taber Lacie
Colorado engagements + wedding and elopement photography by Sean Lara
Portrait of Munster Wedding Photographer Kevin Kheffache of Ireland

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

Kevin Kheffache, of Dublin, is a wedding photographer for Kildare
Marck Yvan, of , is a wedding photographer for
Megan Hannah, of Vermont, 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 picturesque wedding moment captured at the Duomo di Biella in Italy, as guests shower the happy couple with confetti while they exit the church ceremony
In Jaipur, India, the groom is carried on their shoulders by his loved ones as they celebrate and walk together on his wedding day
Wedding photographer in Maissemy captures the emotion-filled moment as the bride and groom react to the mayor's speech during their ceremony at the city hall. This image has been recognized and awarded by the WPJA.
Son of the bride plays with the wedding dress in Wierden, Netherlands, as the family observes
A wedding photographer in Bristol, RI captures a joyful moment as a bride and groom share a laugh during a speech by the best men at Mount Hope Farm, resulting in an award-winning image.
At Bourgogne, a little girl pushes her grandfather's wheelchair as they leave the town hall
Bridal party enjoying a group lunch on concrete benches under a shade canopy at Nanping Fujian park wedding
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.

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.

Award-winning photographer captures the bride's elegance at her Apulia home. Multiple reflections from bedroom mirrors beautifully frame the scene as she holds her bouquet of flowers.
Embracing Love: Celebrating the beauty of unity, two brides share an intimate pose against the backdrop of a striking industrial door in Kelham Island, Sheffield.
An award-winning wedding day detail picture captures the intricate beauty of a bride stepping into her gown in Rome. The black and white image showcases the patterned layers of the dress curving around the shoe, creating a mesmerizing composition.
A wedding photographer captured a mesmerizing scene at the Santa Maria venue in Villefranque, France. By shooting from behind a giant screen, they captured both the beautiful scene and the screen in one stunning image.
An award-winning wedding photographer captured a close-up shot of the cake and lively bride laughing amidst a dazzling show of light sparks as fireworks exploded during the cake cutting celebration at Giritli Restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey.
At a Wedding Farm in Assis Chateaubriand/PR, an artistic photographer captures a mesmerizing close-up showcasing the bride lifting her muddy dress, revealing her white sneakers.
In Rhone, France, at the Cour Dorée Event Venue, a wedding photo captures a couple in a sunflower field, with the groom hugging and kissing the bride from behind.
A wedding reception in Denver, Colorado at dusk. The image captures the father-daughter dance indoors, just after sunset, with a beautiful outdoor view in the background.

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.

This engagement portrait captures a couple running towards the camera in a field of dry grass, bathed in sunlight with Mont Brouilly in the distance.
Capturing the romance of their love, this engagement portrait features a couple sitting on a cliff by the water at île du Grand Gaou in Six-Four-les-Plages, Var, 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.
Captured in Norwich's Waterloo Gardens, this portrait showcases a couple strolling through the enchanting wisteria pavilion, emanating a serene and romantic atmosphere.
A beautiful couple holding hands, strolling along Crosby Beach in Liverpool, England. The love between them shines brightly in this breathtaking engagement portrait.
Captured during an engagement session in Perros-Guirec, this portrait features a couple bathed in sun-drenched tones.
A beautiful engagement portrait of a couple strolling on Bill Point Beach, Morbihan, France. The setting is romantic and relaxing, giving off a calm and serene energy.
Captured at a gas station in Chirens city, France, this engagement portrait depicts a couple bonding over pizza at dusk, with a muscle car's lights creating a beautiful backlighting effect.

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 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 tears of joy from the groom and ring bearer as the bride walked down the aisle at the Westin Playa Conchal in Guanacaste, Costa Rica were captured beautifully in the wedding photo
The black and white photo of the friend hugging the bride, and groom has tears of joy whiped at Kasteel Maurick Vught - a beautiful and touching moment at their wedding
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 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 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 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 double happiness, with the bride giving a sweet touch on the cheek and a loving hug from behind at Strabrechtse Hoeve Mierlo