Wedding Photos of Joyful

The following “Joyful” 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 “Joyful” 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.

A picturesque wedding photograph of a glowing mist enveloping newlyweds in Dorsoduro, Venice, evoking an artistic painting-like ambiance on their special day.

Enveloped in Glowing Mist: A Romantic Wedding Portrait in Dorsoduro, Venice, Capturing Timeless Beauty

A funny moment at Wild Basin Lodge in Colorado captured on the wedding day, as the groom warms up by the fireplace after the chilly ceremony, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere.

Groom's Charismatic Cozy-up by Fireplace at Wild Basin Lodge Wedding In Colorado

love romantic atmosphere moment lodge husband ceremony

A lively moment at a wedding celebration captured in Milan, Italy, as the Bride joins a professional dancer and her Father for a spirited Belly Dance on the elegant grounds of Castello Visconteo Di Cusago - a joyful party shot from a unique low angle.

Captivating Belly Dance: Bride, Father, and Dancer Share Spirited Moment at Milan Castle Wedding

wedding celebration lively Milan Reception Photography elegant joyful grounds dancer

A vibrant and joyful wedding moment captured at Grand Hyatt in Goa, India, as the bride walks down the aisle surrounded by festive colors and celebration, epitomizing the joy and fun of the party atmosphere at this memorable event.

Bride's Joyful Journey at Grand Hyatt In Goa, India's Festive Wedding Party

party festive happiness memories moment Grand Hyatt colors

A unique and fun wedding photo at Irvine Estate in Virginia, featuring the groom and his entire bridal party holding light sabers for a night time group shot, capturing a joyful party atmosphere at a Star Wars wedding celebration.

Epic Light Saber Group Shot: Groom and Bridal Party celebrating joyfully at Irvine Estate

Night groom fun Estate venue Irvine Estate Star Wars Virginia Reception Photography

Wedding couple embraces at Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh, PA, captured in documentary style as family and friends joyfully dance in a circle around them.

Embracing Love: Wedding Couple at Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh, PA, Surrounded by Joyful Celebration

hug joyful love Pittsburgh Sheraton Station Square dance friends

Newlyweds exit Sollies Church in Var, surrounded by falling petals, captured in a candid moment during a lively wedding celebration.

Newlyweds Embrace Amid Falling Petals Outside Sollies Church in Var During Lively Celebration

church falling petals love bride Sollies Church celebration newlyweds

A romantic black and white portrait of a couple on their wedding day at Hospital de Santiago in Úbeda, Jaén, Spain. The historic building provides a beautiful backdrop as the couple shares a joyful embrace, with a smoke grenade adding a touch of whimsy.

Joyful Embrace: Romantic Wedding Portrait at Hospital de Santiago, Úbeda, Jaén, Spain

romantic couple historic smoke wedding embrace black white

A couple poses for a portrait on their wedding day amidst the natural beauty of Acadia National Park. In the background, a vibrant rainbow adds a pop of color to the serene and picturesque setting.

Breathtaking Rainbow: Newlyweds Embrace in Acadia National Park's Serene Perfection

celebration beauty Acadia Wedding Portrait love happiness joyful rocks

Guests joyfully celebrating at a wedding reception in Villa Santorini, Brazil, captured through nostalgic black and white style.

Nostalgic Elegance: Guests Celebrating a Wedding in Villa Santorini, Brazil in Classic Black & White

joyful happiness party candid guests guys event

At the lovely Village Hall in Blackpool, UK, a joyful bride is captured during her reception receiving a warm hug from a female friend.

GIDDY BRIDE GETS A SQUEEZE FROM BESTIE AT VILLAGE HALL WEDDING RECEPTION

joyful Blackpool reception party UK United Kingdom warm hug Blackpool wedding venue wedding reception

A joyful Hindu groom dances amid a circle of women during a wedding procession at Kew Gardens in London, UK, captured from a low angle perspective.

Groom Grooves in Kew: Hindu Wedding Celebrations in London Captured from Low Angle View

wedding procession Hindu London joyful dances groom women

A joyful bride holding a champagne glass on the right, surrounded by guests laughing as a baby is passed from a woman to an older man, while another child covers their ears.

Giggles Galore: Bride, Babes, and Bubbly - A Wedding Celebration

Older Man busy room Child Covers Ears bw joyful champagne glass action

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

bride Saint Affrique reception wedding in France microphone joyful Aveyron Aveyron photography

A newlywed couple embraces as they are showered with rice by their loved ones outside the Baronesse Tacco in San Floriano del Collio, Gorizia, Italy.

Blessings in Bloom: A Joyful Send-Off in Italy

rice throwing joyful Gorizia outdoor wedding send off loved ones Friuli Venezia Giulia wedding venue

Bride dancing and laughing joyfully, twirling her elegant wedding dress, at Wrightsville Manor in Wilmington, NC.

Elegant Twirls of Joy: A Wedding at Wrightsville Manor

joyful North Carolina photographer Wilmington NC bride NC Wedding venue dancing twirling

Bridesmaid in a beautiful Kimball Hall, Roswell, Georgia, laughing joyfully after catching the bouquet in a semi-symmetrical framed scene.

Bridesmaid Bliss: Bouquet Catch at Kimball Hall

caught GA photographer joyful Georgia Roswell Georgia weddings bouquet bridesmaids

Bride at Cowdray Estate in West Sussex, UK, laughing joyfully during heartfelt wedding day speeches, surrounded by family and friends.

The Joyful Heart: A Bride's Laughter at Cowdray Estate

uk weddings Cowdray Estate head table uk bride England england wedding venue family

A loving couple poses for a lifestyle portrait in Cornwall, UK. The tight shot captures their joyful smiles against a white background, beautifully composed by the photographer.

Celestial Love: Capturing Joyful Smiles in a Cornwall Lifestyle Couple Portrait

Cornwall photographer smiles engaged couple intimate photoshoot Cornwall poses

In Biscarosse, Landes, a couple shares a heartfelt picture session, radiating joy and affection as they embrace, their laughter echoing through the air. This captivating black and white portrait captures their genuine connection.

Laughter Echoes: A Captivating Biscarosse Wedding Portrait of Genuine Connection

smiles Captivating Newlywed Portrait Biscarosse Portrait Wedding Photographer Landes Artistic Bride and Groom Picture black and white wedding photo Landes

A couple's engagement portrait session at Cape Cod Airfield in Marstons Mills, Massachusetts, immortalizes their love and playfulness as they joyfully lift their two dogs into the air against the backdrop of a fading orange sunset sky.

Capturing Love and Playfulness: A Whimsical Engagement Wedding Portrait at Cape Cod Airfield

sunset dogs orange Marstons Mills playful engagement session joyful dog

At Crested Butte, Colorado, the newlyweds share a joyful pose on a playground swingset, radiating happiness as they celebrate their wedding day in a picturesque setting.

Newlyweds Embrace Joyful Playfulness on Crested Butte Swingset

Broomfield Colorado weddings Crested Butte embrace Artistic Crested Butte Wedding Photography newlyweds Picturesque Settings Swingset

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China: Hilarious moment captured at a hotel after the wedding ceremony as the bride's baby playfully touches her eyes

Hangzhou's Joyful Touch: A Delightful Post-Wedding Encounter at the Hotel

China Hangzhou wedding photography baby Hangzhou City touches wedding ceremony hotel

Chigwell Marquees in the UK showcases a happy bride and groom surrounded by friends celebrating their Hindu wedding ceremony

A Joyful Hindu Wedding Celebration at Chigwell Marquees

Chigwell Marquees friends Hindu Wedding Celebration Hindu Wedding Ceremony UK Bride and groom Chigwell Essex

Malopolskie Reception Venue: Guests cheer and toss the groom joyously in mid-air on the indoor dance floor during a memorable wedding celebration

Malopolskie Moment: Guests Lift Groom in Mid-Air at Joyous Wedding Reception

Malopolskie wedding photography mid air guests Malopolskie reception Polish weddings joyful Malopolskie wedding reception

Friends of the bride and groom jump and rejoice while dancing at Baronesse Tacco in San Floriano del Collio, Gorizia, Italy

San Floriano del Collio: Joyful Friends Dancing at Baronesse Tacco

joyful Baronesse Tacco Baronesse Tacco wedding San Floriano del Collio wedding Friuli-Venezia Giulia Gorizia wedding photography friend

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes bride bursts into laughter next to the groom during outdoor ceremony

Champagne Laughter: A Joyful Outburst in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

champagne ceremony Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes wedding photography Auvergne Rhône Alpes joyful groom bursts

At Savoie - Colonie de l'Espérance, the daughter of the bride and groom brings laughter as she plays the clown during the ceremony

Savoie - Colonie de l'Espérance: The Joyful Clown in the Wedding Ceremony

Savoie wedding ceremony ceremony daughter of the bride and groom joyful laughter Savoie wedding photography

At Shendish Manor Hotel in Hertfordshire, a delighted guest reacts as her friend catches the bouquet during the bouquet toss ceremony

Floral Fortune in Hertfordshire: A Joyful Capture at Shendish Manor Hotel

capture bouquet happy Hertfordshire weddings Hertfordshire bouquet toss floral

The award-winning photographer captures a joyful moment as the newlyweds walk together through confetti at a farm location in Suffolk, UK.

HAPPY NEWLYWEDS WALKING BLISSFULLY AMID CONFETTI STORM ON SUFFOLK FARM

Suffolk wedding United Kingdom wedding joyful farm happy UK United Kingdom

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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.