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.

Award-winning documentary wedding photographer captures a joyful moment as the bride and groom smile while walking out of their ceremony under trees in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Moments of Love: Bride and Groom's Joyful Exit Under Philadelphia's Trees

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

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

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

Women guests at a ceremony in Ardeche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, sharing emotional moments as they leave - some shedding tears while others bursting into laughter

Ardeche Emotions: A Captivating Wedding Celebration in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Ardeche outdoor wedding Ardeche weddings Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes guests ceremony laughter tears

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 ceremony Savoie weddings wedding ceremony joyful Savoie wedding venue clown

In Paris, Île-de-France, the groom, the bride, and their son step out of the ceremony under streamers held by guests

Parisian Wedding Steppers: Streamers and Smiles

Paris groom streamers son smiles france weddings ceremony

At The Castelnau des Fieumarcon in Lectoure, Gers, France, the two men witnesses gracefully step over the train of the bride's dress during the ceremony

Lectoure Legacy: An Elegant Encounter at Castelnau des Fieumarcon

Gers wedding Lectoure Legacy france weddings Castelnau des Fieumarcon Elegant Encounter witnesses brides dress

At Jaipur, India, an emotional moment unfolds as the bride and groom are surrounded by their loved ones, shedding tears during the ceremony

Tears of Love: A Tender Wedding in Jaipur, India

wedding photography Jaipur wedding photography bride and groom Jaipur Jaipur couple ceremony unfolds

The award-winning wedding photographer captures a touching moment as the bride and groom share a private moment, reading their vows together before their ceremony at Bolton Valley in Vermont, USA.

Bolton Valley Vows: Intimate Wedding Moment Through the Lens, Captured by WPJA Award Winner

private moment Vermont Bolton Valley Vermont vt wedding photographer USA ceremony reading vows

A wedding guest throws a basket of lavender at the bride's face during a ceremony exit in the Mairie de Virieu-le-Grand in Haute Savoie, captured by a professional wedding photographer.

Lavender Deluge: Stunning Wedding Exit Moment in Mairie de Virieu-le-Grand Receives WPJA Accolade

wedding exit toss ceremony Haute Savoie bride basket End of ceremony Professional Wedding Photographer

At the Pretty Place Chapel Ceremony, the bride and groom's families come together for a heartfelt prayer. This picture captures the beautiful open back church and its breathtaking view of the valley and mountains.

Pretty Place Chapel Ceremony: Bringing Families Together in Prayer

ceremony breathtaking view South Carolina cross Cleveland SC mountains Pretty Place Chapel

A captivating wedding photo captured at Pieve di San Lorenzo in Pegognaga, Mantua, Italy. The intense moment of the blessing beautifully narrated through the illuminating light shining on the priest.

ILLUMINATED BLESSING: Captivating Wedding Photo at Pieve di San Lorenzo, Mantua, Italy

tight detail shot intense close up photography Pegognaga wedding wedding day details Pieve di San Lorenzo illuminated

Guests take a break on benches at the reception venue in Isere, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The WPJA awarded image captures a peaceful moment on a sunny day as they relax between the ceremony and cocktail.

Peaceful Interlude: Guests at Reception Venue in Isere, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes - WPJA Accolade

lawn Isere Sunny day relax peaceful moment outdoor reception party Auvergne Rhône Alpes weddings

A happy bride and groom smile and raise their hands in celebration after their ceremony at the Dekalb History Center. This image won an award from the WPJA, showcasing the photographer's expertise in wedding photography.

Capture of Jubilant Newlyweds at Dekalb History Center Earns Prestigious WPJA Accolade

celebration Decatur Georgia wedding ceremony GA wedding photography wedding photographer expertise Georgia Jubilant Newlyweds

Cape Cod, Massachusetts Home- This evocative wedding photo captures the bride standing at the window, illuminated softly at sunset, in a picture of elegance and readiness for her departure to the ceremony.

Cape Cod's Charm: Illuminated Elegance and Anticipation on the Massachusetts Coast

bride ma wedding photographer Cape Cod Massachusetts massachusetts weddings coast anticipation

In Telluride, Colorado, a documentary wedding photographer captures a heartfelt moment during the ceremony as the bride's daughters perform music together: one holds the sheet music while the other plays the violin.

Heartfelt Harmony: A Wedding Image in Telluride as Bride's Daughters Perform Music Together

moment Telluride Telluride wedding brides daughters music documentary wedding photographer ceremony

Marble, Colorado. The bride's parents observe the ceremony at the water's edge, captured by a documentary wedding photographer for a WPJA award-winning image.

Serene Elegance: Marble, Colorado. Parents' Intimate Gaze Immortalized in Wedding Photo

marble documentary wedding photographer Colorado small wedding Colorado ceremony waters edge brides parents

Quincy, Massachusetts wedding photographer receives WPJA Honor Award for capturing a black and white image of the bride and groom sharing a kiss in the aisle after their ceremony. The unique high balcony angle provides a stunning perspective.

WPJA Honor Award: Quincy Wedding Photographer's B&W Aisle Kiss - Stunning High Balcony Perspective

unique Massachusetts Couple stunning perspective balcony bride and groom ceremony Massachusetts

At Simply Rustic Farms in Renfrew, PA, a guest is captivated by a speech delivered by the bride's mother

Enchanted by a Speech: Simply Rustic Farms Hosts a Memorable Wedding Moment in Renfrew, PA

guest Renfrew Documentary Wedding Photography Renfrew PA ceremony Simply Rustic Farms Pennsylvania

In 's-Hertogenbosch, Noord Brabant, the couple emotionally embraces while the groom holds a microphone, reading their vows at the ceremony location with seated guests behind them

A Touching Moment: Emotional Couple in 's-Hertogenbosch Exchange Vows Amidst Seated Guests

microphone s Hertogenbosch Wedding Photography 's-Hertogenbosch emotional embrace reading vows ceremony

At Château Sainte Foix d'Anthé in France, the groom reaches into his pocket while the bride approaches the altar, capturing a moment of anticipation and excitement

A Captured Moment: Groom's Anticipation at Château Sainte Foix d'Anthé

ceremony Château Sainte Foix dAnthé Lot et Garonne Wedding Photography moment of anticipation Lot-et-Garonne bride entering ceremony

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

altar arched Umbria Umbria Documentary Wedding Photography ceremony Agriturismo La Dogana

A playful moment unfolds as the couple's son mischievously drives a toy truck through his mother's hair during their wedding ceremony at the District Winery in Washington DC

Through Thick and Thin: A Mischievous Drive into Forever

District Winery toy truck Washington DC DC documentary wedding photography ceremony couples son

A heartwarming moment captured by a skilled wedding photojournalist at Hall Barns, Prestwold Hall, Leicestershire. The Page Boy's joyful expression and father's supportive embrace radiate pure happiness and love on this special day.

Love and Wonder: The Page Boy's Expression at Hall Barns, Prestwold Hall, Leicestershire

Prestwold Hall sitting ceremony Leicestershire Leicestershire wedding photography Page boy Hall Barns

In Brabant Wallon, Wallonia, the couple and a little girl are gathered at the ceremony location, performing a sand ceremony.

Love in the Sand: A Whimsical Wedding in Brabant Wallon

Brabant Wallon ceremony sand ceremony white dresses Belgium wedding photography

The bride and groom exchange rings at The Round Chapel in Hackney, London, in a touching moment of their wedding ceremony

Wedding Ceremony in Hackney, London: The Bride and Groom's Touching Ring Exchange at The Round Chapel

london bride London wedding wedding ceremony Hackney London wedding photography ceremony

Groom carefully placing the ring on the bride's finger during the ceremony at Careys Manor, Hampshire, UK - captivating black and white detail image

Careys Manor, Hampshire, UK: Captivating black and white image of groom placing ring on bride's finger

captivating detail Hampshire Groom UK Careys Manor Hampshire wedding photography ceremony placing ring

The Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur sets the scene as the couple takes their first steps as newlyweds down the aisle following the ceremony

Newlyweds take their first steps down the aisle at the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur

Jodhpur Wedding Photography aisle Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur newlyweds ceremony Jodhpur Couple

Fireworks light up the sky as attendees depart the ceremony at Espai Les Panses in Valencia on New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve fireworks at Espai Les Panses in Valencia captivate attendees as they depart the ceremony

Espai Les Panses New Years Eve attendees fireworks Valencia departure ceremony

In a wedding scene setter at Hotel Eden Roc, Antibes, Côte d’Azur, France, the perfect weather reflected a stunning scene, with umbrellas providing an elegant touch for the sitting guests during the ceremony

Antibes, French Riviera, France - Stunning Wedding Scene Setter at Hotel Eden Roc with Elegant Touch

Antibes wedding perfect weather stunning scene Hotel Eden Roc Antibes France elegant touch

The bride and groom were recently married in Gary, Indiana, and exited the church to their guests joyfully throwing rice in celebration

The bride and groom wed in Gary, Indiana, joyfully exited to rice-filled cheers

ceremony Gary Indiana rice throwing Indiana Rice Filled Cheers exit church marriage

Pages

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.