Wedding Photos of Getting ready

The following “Getting ready” 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 “Getting ready” 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.

At Valleybrook Country Club, a captivating overhead BW shot captures the bride in the midst of getting ready, delicately slipping her heels on, while her reflection in the nearby mirror adds a touch of elegance and anticipation to the enchanting scene.

A Bride Preparing at Valleybrook Country Club

At a private home in Ventura, California, a moment unfolds as the mother and bride collaborate on final touches during the getting ready process. Reflected in multiple mirrors, their bond is echoed in the shared reflection.

Mother and Bride's Collaboration in Ventura, California

reflections reflection bride collaboration mirror bond California - Southern

In Manchester, Vermont at the Equinox Resort and Spa, laughter ensues as the bride giggles while her sister attempts to buckle her shoe, capturing a heartwarming moment of sisterly love.

Sisterly Shoe Buckling: Heartwarming Laughter at Equinox Resort Wedding in Manchester, Vermont

Manchester VT Resort Vermont Bride laughter helper funny wedding photo getting ready

In Istanbul, Turkey, the groom's excitement radiates as he gets ready, his smiling reflection captured in the mirror, signaling anticipation for the momentous day ahead.

Groom's Joyful Reflection: Preparing for Wedding Day in Istanbul, Turkey

excitement Turkey getting ready Istanbul reflection groom mirror

A family legacy captured in a heartfelt photo on a wedding day in Biarritz, France. Four generations, from great-grandmother to granddaughter, beautifully getting ready at home for a special occasion. Embracing tradition and love in a timeless setting.

Generations of Love: Family Tradition in Biarritz, France on Wedding Day Preparations at Home

wedding photo Basque Country getting ready legacy timeless family great grandmother

A beautiful bride, surrounded by friends, is putting on the finishing touches to her attire at Domaine Etxezahar in Bardos, France. The palpable emotion in the air is captured in this stunning wedding day image.

Bardos Bride and Friends at Domaine Etxezahar, France, Embracing the Wedding Day Emotion

finishing Pyrénées-Atlantiques emotion Bardos Bride attire friends Domaine Etxezahar

Emotional moment at The Estate at River Run, Maidens VA, as the mother assists the bride with her gown - a tender black and white shot from the wedding day.

Tender Motherly Help: Bride's Emotional Gown Prep at The Estate, River Run, Maidens VA

dress Virginia bride wedding black and white gown Maidens Wedding Moment

Bride, groom, and bridesmaid with a red umbrella leave bride's childhood home 'Wang Tao House' in Tai Po, Hong Kong, heading to the ceremony venue in sentimental image capturing a traditional moment on the wedding day.

Sentimental Moment: Bride, Groom, and Bridesmaid Leave Childhood Home 'Wang Tao House' in Tai Po

wedding day memories Hong Kong bridesmaid family bride Sentimental

Wedding day shot at a Private Home in San Francisco, CA: the groom assisting the bride's father in getting ready, with the background wall pictures featuring the father, a photographer.

Groom Assisting Bride's Father: Tender Moment Captured at San Francisco Private Home Wedding

serene pictures California - Northern assisting bw wedding shot San Francisco wedding photography wall

A touching moment between a bride and her father as she adjusts her veil in the mirror at Bellevue Club in Oakland, California, on her wedding day.

Bride and Father's Emotional Mirror Moment at Bellevue Club in Oakland, California Wedding

relationships California - Northern hotel room mirror touching love happiness

In Oxfordshire, UK, a candid moment is caught on camera on wedding day at the venue, as the bride makes a humorous expression while her bridesmaids help adjust her dress.

Oxfordshire Bride's Candid Humorous Moment with Bridesmaids at Wedding Venue in UK

venue Humorous Oxfordshire Wedding Moment Oxfordshire bride candid Oxfordshire emotion

A bride is getting dressed with the help of two assistants on her wedding day at the elegant Château de Caumont, captured in a nostalgic black and white style.

Elegant Bridal Preparations: Château de Caumont, Captured in Nostalgic Black and White Glamour

assistants Château de Caumont getting ready black and white assistance dress help

A beautiful composition showcasing a bride getting ready through a barn window at Rumbold's Farm in West Sussex, UK, capturing a unique and artistic reflection.

Bride's Elegance: Glimpse of Beauty at Rumbold's Farm, West Sussex Window, UK Reflection unique

West Sussex barn UK mirror bride beauty farm

A beautiful wedding memory: groom getting ready in front of a mirror at Chateau Malromé in Virelade, Gironde.

Groom's Quiet Reflection: Preparing at Chateau Malromé in Virelade, Gironde for Wedding Day Success

preparing Virelade Groom Portrait groom wedding Chateau getting ready quiet

A candid moment captured at Domaine de Messenas in Roissard, Isère, France, featuring the bride and her bridesmaids in a bustling getting ready room, anxiously awaiting their turn with the makeup artist on the wedding day.

Bride and Bridesmaids in Stylish Preparations at Domaine de Messenas in Roissard, Isère, France

wedding day bridesmaids room bustling makeup artist getting ready bride

Groom getting his tie ready with the help of his groomsmen at Chateau-ferme d'Aboncourt venue on the wedding day, showcasing a moment of concentration and camaraderie.

Groom Tying Up with Groomsmen at Chateau-Ferme d'Aboncourt: Moment of Concentration and Camaraderie

assisting Teamwork Aboncourt moment friends getting ready concentration

A beautiful bride getting ready with makeup and mirrors at the historic Bastide de Lussan venue, captured in a timeless black and white photograph on her wedding day.

Timeless Elegance: Bride Prepares at Bastide de Lussan in Stunning Black and White Image

makeup wedding Gard Bastide de Lussan Lussan photograph mirrors

Bride reflecting in a mirror on her wedding day at Domaine de Verchant in Montpellier, creating a striking and elegant image filled with grace and beauty.

Graceful Reflection: Bride at Domaine de Verchant in Montpellier, Capturing Elegance and Beauty

wedding day bride reflection graceful Grace Elegance Montpellier Bridal Portrait

A heartwarming moment is frozen in time as the bride gets ready in her childhood home, helped by her loving mother, creating a beautiful memory from the wedding day in Apulia, Italy.

Bride Prepares In Childhood Home, Assisted by Mother, Creating Beautiful Wedding Memory in Apulia

heartwarming memory preparation Apulia wedding photography loving childhood home bw Wedding Photo

A serene wedding picture from Lot et Garonne, France as the bride receives a loving touch-up from her sister, with her mother looking on attentively.

Loving Sisterly Touch-Up: Mother Watches Bride Getting Ready in Serene Lot et Garonne, France

loving bride wedding day Lot-et-Garonne France touch up Prep Wedding Photo

A beautiful moment captured at Chateau Saint Denis in Lot et Garonne, France; the bride's intimate preparations in soft light, shown in silhouette next to a window on her wedding day.

Silhouette Of Bride's Intimate Preparations At Chateau Saint Denis In Lot Et Garonne

light touch up serene getting ready Preparations beautiful moment wedding photo

A timeless black and white photo of a bride getting her final touch up by a stylist on her wedding day at the charming Borgo Fregnano venue in Faenza, Italy, evoking a sense of nostalgia and elegance.

Nostalgic Elegance: Bride's Final Touch at Borgo Fregnano Venue in Faenza, Italy

elegant Emilia-Romagna stylish romantic charm final touch timeless

A beautiful moment frozen in time as the bride gets ready with help from her stylist on her wedding day at the venue in Rho, Milan, Italy.

Captivating Bride: Getting Ready with Stylist in Rho, Milan, Italy Wedding Venue

love stylist emotional romantic wedding photography timeless bride

In a quiet room at the wedding venue Ristorante Al Botto in Almenno San Bartolomeo, Italy, the bride is pictured alone, sitting on a bed, fastening her shoe.

Bride Prepares in Serenity at Ristorante Al Botto: Almenno San Bartolomeo, Italy

Bergamo room Lombardy Ristorante Al Botto Bergamo Wedding Photography serene Almenno San Bartolomeo

Bridal party getting ready in the golden morning light at Shanghai Aman Resort, China, bridesmaids illuminated in a soft glow, a serene and elegant scene captured on a wedding day.

Golden Morning Glow: Bridal Party Primping at Shanghai Aman Resort, China

Shanghai Aman Resort Shanghai Wedding Moment soft glow morning light Resort scene

A candid behind-the-scenes shot from a wedding day preparations at Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou, China, showcasing the couple and their loved ones getting ready together.

Elegant Wedding Day Preparations at Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou Capturing Love in Candid Moments

Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou memories emotions Hangzhou City China Elegance moment

A candid wedding moment captured in Moulin Piongo, France, as a young girl lovingly assists her mother, the beautiful bride-to-be, with final preparations on the big day in this documentary-style photograph.

Captivating Candid Moment: Mother and Daughter in Moulin Piongo - A French Wedding Prep

mother bride preparations candid wedding moment young Girl dress red dress Isere Wedding Photography

In Oud-Beijerland, the Netherlands, an intimate moment unfolds as the bride is helped into her dress by a friend, captured in a behind-the-scenes shot on the wedding day at the venue.

Capturing the Bride: A Tender Moment in Oud-Beijerland, Netherlands on Wedding Day Behind-the-Scenes

bride getting ready Oud Beijerland Wedding Photographer intimate moment BW shot Netherlands Zuid Holland

A bride getting ready for her big day, applying makeup and getting her hair styled in a behind the scenes shot, captured at a private home in London, UK.

Behind the Scenes: Bride Prep for Wedding Day in Private London Home

bridal preparation big day Private home getting ready England United Kingdom makeup

A candid behind-the-scenes shot from a wedding at a Vosges, France venue, showing the bride getting her makeup done in a mirror.

Bride's Beauty Prep: Vosges Venue Reflections Capture Candid Makeup Moment Before France Wedding

Bridal beauty Vosges mirror bridal preparation Vosges wedding photography wedding venue wedding day

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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.