Wedding Photos of Altar

The following “Altar” 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 “Altar” 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 joyful bride hears her groom's heartfelt vows at the Atwater Sports Club in Montreal, with the look of love and excitement on her face.

A Bride's Euphoric Reaction to Her Groom's Vows at Atwater Sports Club Wedding

At the stunning Mairie de Rennes, the happy couple joyfully signs their names on the wedding registry at the altar, surrounded by the ornate beauty of the historic building's golden interior.

Joyful Newlyweds Sign Historic Mairie de Rennes Marriage Registry at Ornate Altar Amidst Golden Splendor

Rennes Wedding Photography Rennes Town Hall historic building Rennes golden interior altar signing registry

A heartwarming moment captured at the beautiful Church of St. John the Baptist in Coccaglio, Italy. The priest blesses the couple at the altar, with outstretched hands reminiscent of Jesus on the cross.

Priest Blesses Couple at Italian Church in Touching Wedding Image

St John the Baptist altar priest blessings Coccaglio Wedding Photography stretched out arms Brescia Lombardy

Romantic and timeless, this award-winning wedding photo captures a couple's genuine happiness as they stand together at the altar of Kloster Wiblingen. A perfectly captured moment of love and joy.

A Timeless Wedding Photo at Kloster Wiblingen Portrays Genuine Happiness of Newlywed Couple

Baden Wurttemberg Wedding Photography altar Baden-Wurttemberg old church Kloster Wiblingen Church wedding Ulm

An intimate moment captured at the beautiful Notley Abbey in the United Kingdom. The bride playfully wipes off lipstick from the groom's lips, both of them wearing big smiles and displaying their love at the altar.

Intimate Moment Captured at Notley Abbey United Kingdom: Bride Playfully Wipes Lipstick from Groom's Lips at Altar, Displaying Love and Joy

intimate moment lipstick Aylesbury uk wedding photography United Kingdom altar abbey ceremony

A beautiful outdoor ceremony took place at Villa Jamele in Puglia, where the bride and groom were seated at the altar under the shade of trees. Guests filled the frame, creating a picturesque scene.

Villa Jamele in Puglia Hosts Stunning Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

shade of trees Apulia wedding photography Apulia Outdoor Ceremony couple sitting Villa Jamele Apulia guests

At Yanik Mektep in Istanbul, a bride and groom share a tender kiss in front of a picturesque outdoor altar adorned with beautiful flowers, surrounded by elegant white chairs.

Intimate Kiss Captured as Couple Weds at Yanik Mektep in Istanbul

Istanbul Istanbul wedding photography flowers white chairs tender kiss Yanik Mektep altar

At a ceremony in Moirax, France, the groom sheds tears of pure emotion as he stands at the altar. With a beaming smile, his bride stands by his side, ready to join him in marriage.

Tearful Groom and Beaming Bride Exchange Vows in French Ceremony

altar Moirax Ceremony ceremony Moirax Lot-et-Garonne France Moirax Wedding Photography

Capture of wedding guests waiting to be seated at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine, creating a timeless moment of anticipation and reverence on the special day.

Elegant Guests Await Seating at Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Portland, Maine Wedding

Portland ME Wedding Photography Portland-ME altar church ceremony beautiful architecture Cathedral of Immaculate Conception Bouchemaine

Captured at a serene Swiss lake wedding, the couple embraces at the altar by the water, creating a timeless scene of love and tranquility on their special day in Sempachersee, Switzerland.

Swiss Lake Serenity: Couple's Timeless Embrace at Altar by Sempachersee, Switzerland Waterside Wedding

couple love lake waterside altar special day serenity

A candid moment captured during a wedding ceremony at the Santa Rita Church in Milan, Italy, as a father lovingly removes his daughter's bridal veil at the altar in a serene and heartfelt scene.

Father's Tender Touch: Captivating Wedding Moment at Santa Rita Church in Milan, Italy

heartfelt altar veil serene love special moment candid

A timeless black and white wedding photo captured at Geelong Grammar in Victoria, Australia, featuring the bride standing at the altar with her bridesmaids in a line in the background, evoking a sense of elegant nostalgia.

Elegant Nostalgia: Bride and Bridesmaids at the Altar, Geelong Grammar, Victoria, Australia

timeless nostalgia love Australia classic elegant bridesmaids

In Hattonchatel, Meuse, the emotional bride's father leans in to give her a kiss just after she walks down the aisle for her wedding.

Father-of-the-Bride Lovingly Kisses Daughter at Charming Hattonchatel Wedding in Meuse

Hattonchatel wedding photographer daughter Meuse Photographer emotional Meuse weddings Meuse Hattonchatel altar

In Isere, a playful moment captured in a church as the couple’s son hides under the altar, trying to escape quietly during the priest’s speech at the wedding.

Secret Escape: A Child's Playful Moment in Isere Chapel

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes church ceremony priest speech Isère Church secret escape hiding son Isere Documentary Wedding Photography

At Vista Capital Wedding Venue in Alajuelita, San José, Costa Rica, the bride and groom share an emotional moment as they stand together at the altar for their long-awaited ceremony.

Alajuelita's Vista Capital: A Powerful Wedding Vow of Love

altar Alajuelita Alajuelita Wedding Vow of Love Emotional moment bride and groom Vista Capital Wedding Venue

Award-winning wedding photograph captures bride and groom sitting at the altar during their ceremony at Santa Maria Assunta's Church in Arezzo, Italy. The black and white shot adds a timeless artistic touch.

Timeless Artistry: Bride and Groom at Santa Maria Assunta

altar Arezzo Arezzo Artistic Image black and white open doors timeless touch Santa Maria Assunta Church

At Château-ferme d'Aboncourt, the bride and groom share a passionate first kiss, while their son ponders in the foreground

Château-ferme d'Aboncourt: A Love Uniting Three Hearts

Chateau-ferme dAboncourt tented ceremony altar Meurthe-et-Moselle Aboncourt Aboncourt Documentary Wedding Photography First Kiss

At the reception venue Chateau Kergrist-Bretagne, the tearful bride and bridesmaids experience an emotional moment as another woman delivers a speech from the outdoor altar pulpit

Emotional Moment at Chateau Kergrist-Bretagne: Tearful Bride and Bridesmaids Moved by Outdoor Altar Pulpit Speech

Emotional moment Cotes-d’Armor tearful bride Cotes dArmor Documentary Wedding Photography pulpit altar Chateau Kergrist Bretagne

A wedding photo award winner captured this image at Agriturismo La Dogana in Umbria, Italy. The photo shows the couple at the altar during their ceremony, with the shot taken from a distance through a large arched opening in the lobby.

Sacred Vows in Umbria: A Captivating Wedding Moment at Agriturismo La Dogana

ceremony Umbria altar Umbria Documentary Wedding Photography arched Agriturismo La Dogana

A symmetrical group at the altar in Pray, Montana, engaged in a prayer ceremony, with breathtaking views of green pastures and majestic mountains in the background

Symmetrical Group's Serene Prayer Ceremony: A Spiritual Retreat Amidst Pray, Montana's Scenic Majesty

Montana Montana outdoor ceremony mountains green pastures Pray MT altar symmetrical

In this award-winning wedding photo, taken in Stirlingshire, Scotland, the groom shares his first kiss as a married man, with their adorable dog by their side. The photo captures a heartfelt and memorable moment on their special day.

Scotland's Stirlingshire: Groom's First Kiss, Joined by Adorable Dog

altar First Kiss Scotland pet dogs guests seated Stirlingshire Stirlingshire Documentary Wedding Photography

An award-winning wedding photograph taken in Wokingham, UK, shows a beaming bride and groom holding hands during their civil ceremony at the Town Council. The image is taken from behind the altar, with guests seated behind them.

Radiance of Union: A Candid Glimpse into a Wokingham Civil Ceremony

UK Wokingham Documentary Wedding Photography England Wokingham Town Council holding hands civil ceremony altar

Zug, Switzerland: This WPJA Honor Award-winning image captures a touching moment as the bride and groom stand side by side, hugging each other gently at the altar. The photo was taken during their outdoor ceremony, with rows of seated guests.

Zug, Switzerland: A Tender Embrace - WPJA Honor Award-Winning Wedding Photo of Newlyweds at Altar

side by side head on shoulder Zug Documentary Wedding Photography altar Zug seated guests Zug Outdoor Ceremony

A charming religious wedding image was taken at the Church in Ardeche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, with the couple's friends pointing the children towards the altar for the wedding rings

The couple's friends directed the children to the altar at the Church in Ardeche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes for the wedding rings

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes wedding image wedding rings beautiful wedding Ardeche Church pointing children Charming Church

At the church ceremony in Siena's Basilica dei Servi, Villa Cavaglioni, the groom's good humor was captured in a wedding picture as he joked and laughed during the exchange of rings

At Villa Cavaglioni's Basilica dei Servi, the groom's good humor is on full display

joking Basilica dei Servi Villa Cavaglioni exchanging rings Siena Siena wedding photography altar

The couple stand at the altar at Assumption of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Cathedral during their ceremony in Denver, CO

The bride and groom are ceremoniously united in matrimony within the grandiose confines of the church

Denver Greek Orthodox Cathedral Colorado Glendale Denver Church Ceremony denver photographer altar

The low lighting in the Apulian church illuminated the couple as they stood at the alter, waiting to receive their Taranto blessing

The low lighting in the church provided a romantic atmosphere as the couple stood at the alter to receive their blessing

black and white Apulia Taranto taranto photographer altar romantic setting low lighting

Couple kiss during the ceremony at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London

The couple kissed at the altar in front of their family and seated guests during the indoor ceremony

altar London London wedding photography couple kiss London Ceremony Venue London ceremony Trinity Buoy Wharf

At the Presbiterian Church - São Paulo Brazil, the bride is laughing at the shepherd's jokes

The bride and groom are both laughing at the shepherd's jokes while standing at the altar in church

São Paulo Presbiterian Church São Paulo wedding photographer Sao Paulo Ceremony Brazil bride laughing altar

At the gorgeous outdoor venue in Turin, Piedmont, the boy and girl happily brought the rings to the altar, signifying the start of the beautiful wedding ceremony

The boy and girl brought the rings to the altar, during a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony

altar outdoor venue wedding ring delivery small boy and girl Piedmont rings outdoor wedding ceremony

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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.