Wedding Photos of Wedding day

The following “Wedding day” 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 “Wedding day” 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 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

A low angle image captured at Convento de Penedo, as the bride and groom's hands touch beneath the ancient fresco of the chapel on their wedding day.

Tender Touch at Convento de Penedo: Bride and Groom's Hands Beneath Ancient Fresco

Convento de Penedo bride ceremony love hands fresco timeless

A beautiful shot capturing a guest taking a mobile phone picture of the elegant bride on her wedding day at Borgo Fregnano in Faenza, Italy.

Elegant Bride Captured by Guest at Borgo Fregnano, Faenza, Italy Wedding Day

mobile phone picture wedding photography Emilia-Romagna wedding day Faenza celebration

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

soft Shanghai Golden morning light getting ready Shanghai Wedding Moment glow

A touching pose between the newlyweds captured at the Wental Felsenmeer venue during a portrait session on their wedding day, as they share a first look embrace on a serene rocky hillside.

Newlyweds Embrace in Wental Felsenmeer: First Look Portrait on Serene Rocky Hillside

Essingen Wedding Portrait wedding day touching embrace hillside newlyweds venue

Newlyweds are captured walking towards a ski lift at Carrabassett Valley, Maine, after sharing their first look amidst a foggy summit on their wedding day.

Romantic Mountain Climb: Newlyweds Begin Journey to Ski Lift at Carrabassett Valley, Maine

sharing Maine ski lift wedding day summit Carrabassett Valley love

Wedding day portrait captured at the American Church in Paris, as the couple steals a private session post-ceremony, depicted in a vintage black and white image evoking timeless romance and intimacy.

Timeless Romance: American Church in Paris Wedding Portrait - Vintage Black and White Elegance

vintage couple timeless black and white Paris wedding portrait portrait Paris

In Córdoba, Spain, a beautiful bride and groom embrace in a touching portrait with a stunning reflection of the sky and clouds beneath them, captured on their wedding day.

Romantic Reflection: Bride and Groom Embrace in Stunning Spanish Sunset, Cordoba Wedding Day Portrait

Spain Sky Córdoba wedding day Calm Córdoba Wedding Portrait bride

A groom in a minute of quiet focus before the ceremony, captured at Domaine du Petit Malherbes on the wedding day.

Groom's Reflective Moment at Domaine du Petit Malherbes Before Wedding Ceremony

candid groom portrait before wedding ceremony portrait photography quiet groom wedding portrait groom portrait Gard

A beautiful bride and groom sharing a quiet, intimate pose at sunset on their wedding day at Domaine de Cuiset, Saint-André-sur-Vieux-Jonc, France. The couple is alone, enjoying each other's company before joining their guests for a night of celebration.

Quiet Sunset Romance: Bride and Groom in Love at Domaine de Cuiset, Saint-André-sur-Vieux-Jonc, France

intimate pose alone Ain Wedding Portrait beautiful bride groom wedding day Domaine de Cuiset

A romantic drone shot capturing a newlywed couple on the ground amidst a lush green hedge maze in Gelderland, Netherlands on their wedding day.

Newlywed Romance: Drone Shot of Couple in Lush Green Hedge Maze in Gelderland, Netherlands

lush maze hedge couple Gelderland Wedding Portrait Netherlands ground

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

Oud Beijerland bridal venue intimate moment Netherlands wedding day dress

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

London England bridal preparation makeup bride wedding day hair styled

A bride and groom dance gracefully surrounded by guests on their wedding day in Rutland, UK, captured in a beautiful black and white photograph on private land.

Elegant Rutland Wedding: Graceful Dance of Bride and Groom, Guests, and black and white Beauty

Rutland Private land groom graceful dance bride black and white photograph

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

wedding day bridal suite Vosges wedding photography Vosges makeup getting ready Bridal beauty

In Sarrebourg, France, a touching moment captured on the wedding day as the bride's daughter playfully experiments with makeup during a behind-the-scenes documentary shot at the venue.

Sarrebourg, France: Bride's Daughter's Playful Makeup Adventure, Behind-The-Scenes Wedding Day Documentary Shot

wedding makeup Sarrebourg Wedding Photography brides daughter daughter bride venue makeup

A candid shot taken during wedding preparations in Niderviller, France, showing the bride getting ready with the reflections of her mother and sister visible in the mirror. A captivating insight into the emotional moments behind the scenes.

Emotional Wedding Preparations: Bride, Mother, Sister - Reflections in Niderviller, France Captured Candidly

Moselle Niderviller Wedding Photography bride getting ready Grand Est Niderviller Emotional moments bridal preparations

In Sarrebourg, France, the groom shares a drink with his witnesses in a candid behind-the-scenes photo captured at the wedding venue, showcasing a moment of camaraderie and celebration.

Groom Raises Glass: Sarrebourg Snapshot of Camaraderie and Celebration at Stunning French Wedding Venue

Candid Moments camaraderie groom and best friends wedding day wedding day memories Candid Wedding Photos wedding venue

Bridegroom in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand, preparing for the wedding day with white cheek masks in a white, minimalistic hotel room setting on the bed.

THAI BRIDEGROOM WITH CHEEK MASKS IN MINIMALISTIC HOTEL

bed THAI BRIDEGROOM thailand weddings white getting ready Khao Yai National Park cheek

A woman framed by a delicate red gown as an iron presses the brides dress in preparation for her wedding day.

Ironing Out the Details: Getting Ready for Wedding Ceremony

Var wedding photographer pre wedding ceremony Var weddings red gown getting ready France Var photographer

In Aberdeen, Hong Kong, the adorable flower girl makes a funny face while her aunt styles her hair before the wedding, adding a touch of playful charm to the moment.

ADORABLE ABERDEEN FLOWER GIRL | WEDDING DAY HAIR STYLING

Hong Kong weddings wedding day hair styling wedding moment kids girls adorable flower girl

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

joyful West Sussex england wedding venue family uk weddings head table wedding day

Award-Winning Portrait: In the beautiful Guadeloupe, the bride and groom embrace with joy and smiles, as the wind tousles their hair. The groom wraps his arms around her, giving a tender kiss on her cheek, evoking a radiant smile.

Guadeloupe's Blissful Embrace: A Radiant Kiss in the Wind's Caress

evoking wind's beautiful blissful cheek portraits arms

A bride and groom hold hands while walking along a trail on their wedding day. The photo captures Mt. Rainier in the background, adding a stunning touch to this wedding image.

Mt. Rainier Love: A Breathtaking Wedding Trail Embraces Eternal Bond

portraits Breathtaking Wedding Trail photo hold hands Washington Eternal Bond trail

A modern love story unfolds amidst the breathtaking landscape of Seattle, Washington. Adorned in stunning Indian attire, the bride and groom share a tender embrace with touching heads, capturing their love on their wedding day.

Seattle Love: A Modern Indian Wedding Embracing Eternal Love's Embrace.

bride unfolds Seattle touching heads stunning Indian attire wedding day wedding

Award-winning wedding day portrait: a purple silhouette of a couple joining heads, creating a romantic atmosphere in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Pigeon Forge Purple Silhouette: A Romantic Wedding Day Portrait

purple silhouette couple photography Tennessee portrait Pigeon Forge Tennessee portrait session romantic atmosphere

A display of romance as the grooms unite, their foreheads touching, against a backdrop of the vibrant Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, under a dark blue sky.

Pigeon Forge Romance: Grooms Unite in Vibrant Wedding Portrait

Pigeon Forge backdrop wedding photography wedding day Pigeon Forge wedding Silhouette couple Tennessee portrait session

A captivating embrace in the rain, symbolizing their love's journey. This award-winning portrait captures the scene shared by the newlyweds at The Estate at River Run, Maidens VA.

The Estate at River Run: A Captivating Rainy Embrace Portrait

Virginia Artistic Portrait captivating rainy embrace portrait love journey Virginia rainy embrace wedding portraits Estate at River Run

Downtown Pittsburgh, PA: Local woman assists bride by brushing off invasive species lanternfly from her gown as she heads to her wedding ceremony with her maids

Pittsburgh's Lanternfly Rescue: A Local Woman's Wedding Day Heroism

downtown Pittsburgh wedding photos Pennsylvania streets wedding Pittsburgh wedding photos Pittsburgh Pittsburgh PA wedding photography

A WPJA awarded wedding photo captures a bridesmaid putting on mascara at a private house in Tucson, Arizona. The image showcases the behind-the-scenes moments of a wedding day.

AZ Wedding Preparations at a Private House in Tucson

Arizona weddings AZ Wedding Preparations Arizona bridesmaid Tucson Tucson wedding photography wedding day behind the scenes moments

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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.