Wedding Photos of Philadelphia Documentary Wedding Photography

The following “Philadelphia Documentary Wedding Photography” images were created by documentary wedding photographers from the WPJA, who regularly submit their best candid moments, artistic portraits, details, and scene setters for review by our WPJA competition judges.

WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS + ARTISTIC PORTRAITS & DETAILS + ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

Some of the “Philadelphia Documentary Wedding Photography” marriage photography samples below may have come from the getting ready events, the actual wedding ceremony, the reception after-party, an engagement session with the couple, or possibly be artistic portraits or detail shots.

FINE ART WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: Our Artistic Guild award winners take a more creative approach to wedding day Portraits and use their innovative skills to capture the Details of each couple’s special day. The Artistic Guild’s Scene Setters are some of the most notable and breathtaking from within the artistic WPJA contest categories. Playing with light and shadow, special effects, and post-production editing, these images embrace the artistic component of wedding photography.

PRE-WEDDING ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY: The story of every couple starts long before the wedding day, and the engagement marks one of the most important milestones in their story. Engaged couples often want to celebrate the occasion and announce their upcoming wedding with a photoshoot. Pre-wedding portraits of an engaged couple can be just as moving and compelling as the images taken on the wedding day. Engagement portraits can win a Diamond Award, an exclusive WPJA award whose winner is selected from the best engagement photography in the world.

In this image captured at a reception venue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a groom is seen tearing up while dancing with his mom during the mother/son dance.

The Heartfelt Love Unveiled: A Tearful Groom and His Mom Share an Emotional Mother/Son Dance at a Philadelphia Reception

A bride at a wedding reception venue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, playfully interacts with her niece in a bathtub filled with colorful ping pong balls.

Philadelphia's Playful Bride: Splashing Joy with Ping Pong Ball Bathtime at the Wedding Reception

bathtub of balls Philadelphia Philadelphia Documentary Wedding Photography Pennsylvania ping pong balls playful bride orange balls

A pro documentary wedding photographer captures the elation of a newly married couple as they exit a church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The moment earned the photographer a prestigious WPJA Honor Award.

Elation Captured: WPJA Honor Award for Newlywed Couple Exiting Church, Philadelphia, PA

Pennsylvania PA church ceremony Philadelphia Documentary Wedding Photography newly married exiting church Philadelphia

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during a wedding ceremony, the bride and groom find humor in a small mishap as they exchange rings in the rain, sharing a joyful moment amidst the unforeseen challenge

Love Laughter Prevails: A Captivating Snapshot of Resilience and Joy amidst Rainy Wedding Rings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

city ceremony urban setting Love Park Philadelphia Philadelphia Philadelphia Documentary Wedding Photography rainy day wedding

In this photo taken at the ceremony location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the groom bursts with excitement, giving a fist pump, as he and the bride exit the venue together, immediately after being declared husband and wife

Capturing Eternal Bliss: Witness the Spectacular Moment as Philly Groom Triumphantly Ushers Newlywed Bride to Forever

happy groom Church wedding exit ceremony Philadelphia black and white Philadelphia Documentary Wedding Photography fist pump

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the reception venue, a heartwarming moment unfolded as the bride's uncle excitedly devoured the surprise birthday cake presented by the newlyweds

Love and Laughter Collide: Witness the Joyful Surprise as Newlyweds Treat Bride's Uncle to a Special Birthday Cake in Philadelphia

black and white Pennsylvania Philadelphia Documentary Wedding Photography surprise birthday Philadelphia brides uncle Birthday Cake

A newlywed couple shares a kiss while waiting for their pizza order at a laid-back reception on Philadelphia's boardwalk in Pennsylvania

Laid-back Love: A Captivating Snapshot of a Newlywed Couple's Pizza-Fueled Celebration on Philadelphia's Boardwalk

PA Pizza House Marucas Tamale Pie Philadelphia Philadelphia Documentary Wedding Photography Philadelphia boardwalk laid back reception share a kiss

The bride playfully steals a larger piece of bread from her husband at a reception venue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after he broke off the larger piece during the traditional breaking of the bread ceremony

Love Knows No Bounds: Joyful Bride Embraces Tradition, Stealing Hearts (and Bread) at Philly Reception

Philadelphia Documentary Wedding Photography bread breaking bread ceremony Philadelphia Pennsylvania traditions

In this black and white photo taken at a Philadelphia hotel, the bride's daughter and flower girl is seen attempting to wear her mother's purse while the bride gets dressed. The image received a WPJA Honor Award.

Bride's Daughter's Accessory: A Wedding Moment Captured in Black and White at a Philadelphia Hotel

pre ceremony preparations flower girl Philadelphia Documentary Wedding Photography Philadelphia black and white brides daughter Philadelphia Hotel

A bride prepares for her wedding at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia as two attendants carefully examine and arrange her dress. This captivating image captures a moment of anticipation and attention to detail.

Anticipating Perfection: A Bride's Dress Reveal at Loews Hotel Philadelphia

arranging dress attendants assisting bride hotel room preparations Loews Hotel Philadelphia Philadelphia Documentary Wedding Photography

WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.