Wedding Photos of Ceremony

The following “Ceremony” 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 “Ceremony” 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.

Picture taken on the wedding day in Wells, Maine, featuring a couple embracing closely under a picturesque sky.

An Intimate Embrace: Wells, Maine Wedding Couple Enveloped by Stunning Sky Backdrop

Emotional documentary-style photo taken on the wedding day in Marietta, GA, capturing a touching moment as the ring bearer sheds tears before walking down the church aisle.

Tears of Joy: Emotional Wedding Moment in Marietta, GA Captured During Ring Bearer's Procession

storytelling tears Marietta Wedding Moment Georgia church aisle ring bearer moment

A documentary-style wedding detail photograph taken at the Battery in Manhattan, New York, showcasing the vibrant colors and intricate details of a Hindu wedding ceremony.

An Intricate Hindu Wedding Ceremony Captured at The Battery, Manhattan: Vibrant Colors Galore

love Vibrant colors Manhattan Wedding Details ceremony celebration The Battery Manhattan

Bride's father adjusting groom's tie in black and white photo before ceremony at Chateau de Precy, capturing a tender moment of family bonding on the wedding day.

Father's Gentle Touch: Bride's Father Adjusting Groom's Tie at Chateau De Precy Ceremony

tie Chateau de Precy bride tender bw Wedding Photo moment Oise Wedding Moment

A candid and elegant documentary style wedding photo from Castello di Gargonza in Arezzo, Italy, showcasing the bride climbing the stairs towards the terrace of the Castle tower, moments before the ceremony begins.

Bride Ascending: Graceful Moments at Castello di Gargonza in Arezzo, Italy Before Ceremony begins

Arezzo bride Italy elegant ceremony tower castle

A beautiful couple on their wedding day in Dublin, Ireland. They stand in front of a statue of Jesus, his hands extended over them in blessing. Perfectly captured just after the ceremony, this stunning image radiates love, faith, and the start of a union.

Blessed Love: Wedding Day Bliss in Dublin, Ireland Under Jesus' Watchful Eyes

statue vows happiness Ireland blessed cherish Dublin

A candid moment at Drigstrup Kirke, Kerteminde, Denmark captured during a wedding, where flower girls gather in a secret council with baskets filled with flower petals, giving a glimpse of behind-the-scenes instructions.

Flower Girls' Secret Council: Candid Wedding Moment at Drigstrup Kirke, Kerteminde, Denmark

glimpse baskets Kerteminde Drigstrup Kirke council event gathering

In Mendocino, California, the groom's mom lovingly pins his boutonniere on before the ceremony, captured in a wall-mounted circular mirror reflection.

MOMENT OF TRUTH: GROOM'S BOUTONNIERE PINNED, REFLECTED IN WEDDING DAY MIRROR

California - Northern pins Mendocino California boutonniere CA wedding mirror Circular

A newlywed couple begins to recess from their ceremony at The Belvedere in Baltimore, MD, with a flower girl running alongside them holding her bouquet, while guests cheer and wave colorful streamers in the air.

WEDDING WHIRLWIND: Flower Girl Sprint Sparks Cheery Chaos as Guests Reel in Streamers

chaos Baltimore newlyweds Cheery chaos Cheery Wedding whirlwind cheer streamers

A joyful bride embraces her bridesmaids in the grand setting of Prestwold Hall, filled with love and excitement, before making her way to the ceremony in Loughborough, Leicestershire, England.

GRAND GATHERING OF GALS: BRIDE AND BRIDESMAIDS EMBRACE IN PRESTWOLD HALL

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Groomsmen prepare for the ceremony at Mount Palomar Winery in Temecula, CA, getting their head scarves tied perfectly.

Tying the Knot: Groomsmen Perfect Their Style at Mount Palomar Winery Wedding

CA weddings marriage photos California - Southern Tying the Knot style ceremony Groomsmen prepare

Bride sheds a tear while praying with groom at Aurora Farms wedding ceremony, captured between groomsmen's shoulders.

Aurora Farms Wedding: Bride's Tearful Prayers Captured Amidst Groomsmen's Shoulders

Aurora Farms bride captured tearful prayers marriage photos SC weddings groomsmen

A heartwarming moment at Beaulon City Hall in France: A bride embraces her groom tenderly while their young daughter cuddles against his leg, illustrating familial love on their special day.

Tender Embrace: Bride, Groom, and Daughter at Beaulon City Hall in France Wedding Photo

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Grandfather of the bride patiently checks his watch at the Club De Golf Metropolitain ceremony in Anjou, Quebec, eagerly awaiting the start of the wedding.

Patriarch's Countdown: Grandfather Times the Big Moment at Quebec Wedding Ceremony in Anjou

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Newlyweds sharing a laugh in front of the US Capitol at 101 Constitution, Washington, DC, capturing a joyful moment during their outdoor, sunny wedding ceremony.

101 Constitution Newlyweds Chuckle Post-Nuptials at US Capitol Ceremony in DC Sun

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A newlywed couple holds hands while being showered with confetti at their fusion wedding, captured in a beautifully backlit outdoor shot at Brympton House in Somerset, UK.

UK Newlyweds Grin as They Tackle a Colorful Shower on Their Big Day

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A black and white photograph captures a Hindu ceremony at Brympton House in Somerset, UK, showing the couple's family gently covering their eyes with hands.

Captivating Hindu Wedding Ritual at Somerset Estate

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A touching moment captured at a Catholic Church in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, as the groom's daughter lovingly embraces her father after the ceremony, radiating warmth and family bonds.

Radiating Love: Groom's Daughter Embraces Father in Heartwarming Church Scene at Wedding

Church wedding Malmesbury photography touching moment england wedding bw father daughter Wiltshire

Emotional moment captured at Early Mountain Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the bride and her brother embrace and shed tears after the ceremony.

Sacred Tears: A Vineyard Embrace in Charlottesville

ceremony Emotional moment shed tears Virginia tear Siblings Early Mountain Vineyards

A beautiful moment captured during an Indian wedding ceremony at the stunning Bagnaia resort in Siena, Italy.

Tradition and Tranquility: An Indian Wedding in Siena

Bagnaia Resort tradition indian wedding ceremony moment Bagnaia Resort Siena photographer

The bride passionately speaks into the microphone at Domaine de Baldassé, Saint-Affrique, Aveyron, as she joyfully says I do to her partner.

Cherished Vows: A Wedding at Domaine de Baldassé, Saint-Affrique

vows southern France bride joyful Aveyron photography Saint Affrique reception ceremony

Newlyweds in Chaparral Pines Payson Arizona share a moment of joy and love in a semi-symmetrical shot, celebrating their marriage after being announced man and wife.

Chaparral Pines: A Moment of Joy and Love

outdoors newlyweds celebration love Arizona weddings Chaparral Pines man and wife

A newlywed bride and groom walk together down the aisle at Ashridge House, Hertfordshire, surrounded by flying confetti in celebration of their marriage.

Romantic Confetti Trail: A Wedding Story at Ashridge House

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Vicar at St Giles Church in Bradford On Tone checks the time anxiously as the bridal party arrives late to the church for the wedding ceremony.

Ticking Clocks: The Vicar at St Giles Church in Bradford On Tone

Bradford On Tone ticking clocks watch outdoors arrival church anxious

In a touching black and white photo, at the Rhône ceremony, the groom tenderly comforts his tearful grandfather at the end of the ceremony.

Rhône Reverie: A Grandfather's Embrace

Rhône groom black and white BW photography ceremony grandfather tearful

Newlyweds emerge from the beautiful Rhône church, joyfully enveloped by a shower of delicate flower petals as they begin their married life together.

Petals of Happiness: A Rhône Church Wedding

Church wedding love Rhone Photographer exit petals church exit Rhône newlyweds

In a black and white shot at a civil ceremony in Rhône, the bride and groom carefully oversee as their witness signs the marriage certificate in the correct spot.

Capturing Love in Monochrome: Witnessing the Union in Rhône

black and white civil ceremony groom bride Rhone France marriage certificate monochrome

A newlywed couple celebrate their marriage in Grado, Gorizia, Italy as they are showered with rice at the exit of the ceremony against a dark background.

Rice Rain: A Grado Wedding Celebration

Gorizia photography Friuli-Venezia Giulia bouquet groom dark background ceremony Gorizia

In Trieste, Italy, the groom gazes lovingly at the bride as she arrives at the ceremony, her friend delicately adjusting her veil in a touching black and white indoor shot.

Amore in Trieste: Groom's Loving Gaze

Amore indoor shot groom trieste photographer ceremony Friuli Venezia Giulia ceremony black and white

Newlyweds exiting their ceremony at Cator Woolford Gardens in Atlanta, GA, captured in a stunning black and white shot.

Eternal Vows: A Moment in Monochrome

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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.