Wedding Photos of Day

The following “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 “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 captivating black and white detail on a wedding day at Villa Contarini Giovanelli Venier - Padua, Italy, featuring a bride elegantly ascending a staircase in a dreamy backlight, accentuating the intricate details of her dress.

Enchanting Bridal Staircase at Villa Contarini Giovanelli Venier - Padua, Italy: A Timeless Moment

A bride gazes out the window at Brewery Gulch Inn in Mendocino, California, moments before putting on her dress on her wedding day - captured in a beautiful black and white photograph.

Bride's Quiet Contemplation at Brewery Gulch Inn, Mendocino, California: A Serene Pre-Wedding Moment

contemplation serene dress Mendocino quiet Brewery Gulch Inn bride

Bride and groom share a sweet moment as they cut into their wedding cake at The Woods At Eisler Farms in Butler, PA, showcasing a blend of anticipation and joy on their special day as they carefully slice into their decadent treat.

Anticipation and Joy: Sweet Moment Cutting Wedding Cake at The Woods At Eisler Farms

day reception venue special groom sweet moment tents tent

In Udine, Italy, a beautiful bride emerges from a convertible at her wedding venue, being gently embraced by the sun and wind on her day.

A Radiant Bride in Udine: Embraced by Sun and Wind at Wedding Venue

Udine wedding venue love convertible wind bride outdoors

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

photograph Elegance Gard beautiful bride makeup day Lussan

A beautiful bride illuminated by sunlight streaming through a window and a door, at the Château du Boisrenault on her wedding day, ready to join guests at the town hall.

Radiant Bride Glows at Château du Boisrenault, Eager to Marry at Town Hall with Guests

Town Hall glows day Buzançais elegant Buzançais Bride beautiful bride

A newlywed couple embrace each other on their wedding day in Córdoba, Spain. The drone captures a unique angle of the couple on a wooden dock by the water, surrounded by the scenery on their special day.

Romantic Newlyweds Embrace on Wooden Dock in Córdoba, Spain: Drone Captures Unique Angle

water newlyweds embrace wedding marriage Scenery Spain love

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

embrace couple romantic Jaén black white Hospital de Santiago whimsy

A romantic couple sharing a special day at Acadia National Park, captured in a unique black and white abstract portrait with the bride's reflection seen in a tidal pool.

Love's Reflection: A Unique Black and White Wedding Portrait at Acadia National Park

timeless Acadia National Park reflection portrait Maine wedding photography wedding photo day

A romantic wedding couple enjoys a serene canoe ride at sunset in Manchester, Maine, captured beautifully during their outdoor portrait session on their special day.

Serene Sunset Canoe Ride: Wedding Couple's Romantic Portrait Session in Manchester, Maine

paddle sunset photography portrait session Maine Maine wedding photography special

Beautiful couple portrait taken on their wedding day in Ibiza, featuring a stunning sunset backdrop with dramatic clouds, rocks, and a serene water view.

Stunning Ibiza Sunset: Captivating Wedding Portrait of a Beautiful Couple by Rocks and Water

portrait Ibiza Wedding Portrait rocks water sunset Dramatic wedding

A stunning wedding portrait capturing the bride and groom under the divine gaze at Paroquia Nossa Senhora do Montserrat. This enchanting image encapsulates the love and joy of their special day.

Divine Love: Bride and Groom at Paroquia Nossa Senhora do Montserrat in Enchanting Portrait

statue Porto Alegre stunning happiness special groom enchanting

Capturing their love amidst the golden embrace of a wheat field in historic Via Labicana, Rome, this award-winning portrait exudes an ethereal beauty, with the groom gently gazing at his radiant bride.

Golden Love in Historic Via Labicana: Award-Winning Ethereal Beauty Exudes

gazing at bride outdoors wedding couple Artful bride and groom newlyweds nature

The timeless love of a bride and groom as they share a tender kiss beneath a sunlit tree at The Post Barn in Newbury, Berkshire.

Whispering Romance: Sunlit Serenade at The Post Barn Wedding, Newbury, Berkshire

tender kiss bride and groom grass nature married couple daytime light of day

An award-winning artistic wedding day portrait captured at Villa Bonomo, Trieste, Italy. The image showcases the bride and groom, in a loving embrace, gazing at each other with the setting sun casting a beautiful glow.

Golden Embrace: A Romantic Wedding Moment at Villa Bonomo, Trieste

newlyweds artistic portrait sessions wedding couple bride and groom loving embrace sun Artful

Bride and groom share a heartfelt embrace atop Tent Ridge in Kananaskis, Canada. Against a stunning orange sunset, their love creates a romantic portrait to treasure forever.

Tent Ridge Embrace: Love's Portrait Amidst a Fiery Sunset

Kananaskis married couple day bride and groom nature Tent Ridge newlyweds

Creative wedding day portrait captured at a reception venue in Toulouse, France. The bride and groom tenderly embrace as the sun sets behind them, evoking a truly romantic atmosphere.

Romantic Toulouse: A Sunlit Embrace Captured on Wedding Day

artistic portrait sessions bright light France Artsy bride and groom nature outside

In this award-winning wedding photo, taken in Istanbul's Sultanahmet Square, the groom gracefully supports his bride's dress train as they walk together. The romantic scene is enhanced by the burst of sunlight at the top.

Sultanahmet Serenade: Love Awakens in Sunlit Istanbul's Heartbeat Square

Artful day outdoors nature Sultanahmet Square sunlight outside

In this award-winning picture, taken in Icart, Guernsey, the groom and his groomsmen are seen enjoying a relaxing chat on a balcony as they prepare for the ceremony. The picture captures the bright sunlight and the breathtaking view of the ocean.

Groomsmen bonding under the sun on Icart's heavenly balcony

Guernsey husband Icart creative portrait outdoors daytime relaxing

A beautiful wedding photo captured at a reception venue in Cleveland, Ohio. This sunset image showcases the rings and key details of the special day.

Sunset Splendor: Cleveland Wedding Shines with Radiant Rings

Cleveland Artistic Details Detail Wedding Picture sun Cleveland artistic wedding detail shots details ring detail

ROMANTIC WEDDING AT MALCESINE CASTLE: INTIMATE GLIMPSE OF A BRIDE'S ADORATION FOR HER GROOM

castle wedding bride Malcesine Castle connection photography heartfelt

The groom is captured in an artistic wedding photo at Humble House Taipei, Taiwan. He stands by a round window adorned with a captivating blue aquatic motif, reflecting a stunning image.

Groom's Reflection - Artistic Wedding Photo Unveiled at Humble House Taipei Venue

Taiwan day session artistic Humble House Taipei Humble House Taipei Weddings Taiwan wedding photography

Glamorous Wedding Portrait Elegantly Showcases Love and Connection at Moncel Abbey Venue

weddings Oise Moncel Abbey Oise Oise Newlyweds Moncel Abbey wedding photography groom Oise portrait

In a stunning vertical portrait against a dark backdrop, a couple at Hotel Hermitage in Lucerne is illuminated by the soft glow of lights, creating a romantic and enchanting scene.

LUMINOUS LOVE: A Wedding Unveiled at Hotel Hermitage in Lucerne

Switzerland soft glow vertical Lights Lucerne bw bride

In Yvelines, in a timeless black and white portrait, the couple raise their champagne glasses in a celebratory toast, their car's headlights illuminating the night as they share a tender kiss.

Wedding Brilliance Unveiled: Timeless Yvelines Soirée Shines in Monochrome

tender kiss timeless Night illuminating Celebratory Toast bride groom

A great wedding day image from Santa Barbara of the couple posing in the last light of the day in a vineyard

vines Santa Barbara couple Loren Haar CA last light day grapes

Casatenovo, Lecco, Italy wedding art couple portrait at Villa Lattuada of the newlyweds illuminated by the last ray of the sun of the day

Villa Lattuada newlyweds day sun IT couple portrait Italy wedding ray

creative wedding day portrait of the couple Enjoying each other behind the stage

enjoy Ljubljana Slovenia behind stage Slovenia wedding Ljubljana portrait enjoying creative

Hebei prewedding photoshoot before the big day - Love in the sky

Photo by: Vincent Mu - Beijing

Hebei engagement photography day Hebei Sky Hebei e session love

The Capitol Room wedding venue photos | Couple in the park during portrait session on wedding day

wedding venue photo of the Couple in the park during portrait session on wedding day

session day portrait dandelions The Capitol Room wedding MN

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.