Wedding Photos of First dance

The following “First dance” 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 “First dance” 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.

Photograph capturing the bride and groom's intimate first dance at The Pastures Hotel wedding. Professional black and white image showcasing the love between the couple.

Captured Elegance: The Pastures Hotel Bride and Groom's Intimate First Dance in Stunning Monochrome

Photograph taken at The Pastures Hotel capturing the bride and groom's intimate first dance in low light. A beautiful moment of love captured by the photographer.

Enchanting First Dance: Bride and Groom Sparkle in Low-Light at The Pastures Hotel Wedding

South Yorkshire intimate Mexborough The Pastures Hotel low light Mexborough Wedding Photography darkened room

A wedding photographer captured a beautiful moment at a wedding in Haut de la Fregate, Agen, Lot et Garonne. The photo shows the couple's first dance under colorful and dramatic lighting.

Ethereal Moment: Newlyweds' First Dance Illuminated in Haut de la Fregate, Agen, Lot et Garonne

reception Lot-et-Garonne dramatic lighting Haut de la Fregate darkened room Agen Agen Reception Photography

Wedding photo captured at Cape Fahn Hotel in Samui, Thailand, depicting the couple's first dance outdoors at night with a stunning display of fireworks in the background.

Stunning Fireworks Light Up Night Sky as Couple Dances Outdoors at Cape Fahn Hotel

Samui Wedding Photography couple Cape Fahn Thailand Cape Fahn Hotel fireworks Samui

At a private home in Treviso, Italy, children delight in the magic of the bride and groom's first dance, adding an endearing touch of innocence and joy to the reception festivities.

Whimsical First Dance: Children's Delight at a Treviso Villa Wedding

Children Veneto joy Treviso Wedding Photography Innocence Italy first dance

A heartwarming wedding scene unfolds as the couple shares their first dance at Quinta do Roseiral in Ericeira, Portugal, with children watching in awe as they float on the fog.

Magical First Dance Unfolds at Quinta do Roseiral in Ericeira, Portugal with Awe-Struck Children

first dance wedding scene fog heartwarming couple Portugal Ericeira

Aerial view of the first dance taking place in a charming garden setting at the Bride's parents private house in St Ives, UK, beautifully showcasing the outdoor wooden deck dance floor during a lovely wedding celebration.

Enchanting First Dance in Lush Garden Setting at Private House in St Ives, UK

bride parents United Kingdom first dance Charming celebration lush

Bride gracefully dips during first dance at the wedding venue of Calke Abbey Riding School, captured in a timeless black and white style, adding a touch of vintage charm to the romantic moment.

Graceful First Dance Dip at Calke Abbey Riding School: Timeless Vintage Charm in Black & White

dance timeless event Derby Wedding Moment Calke Abbey Riding School bride reception venue

Emotion-filled photo of newlyweds dancing at Zemono Castle in Slovenia, captured in a classic black and white style, showcasing the couple's intimate first dance on the unembellished dance floor from a unique overhead angle.

Love's First Waltz: Newlyweds Dance at Zemono Castle, Slovenia in Timeless Black and White

Zemono Castle first dance classic dancing floor newlyweds Unembellished

An elegant wedding scene captured at The Sanya Edition Hotel in China, as the couple's niece watches attentively during their first dance, adding a sweet touch to the celebration.

Lovely Niece Observes Adoringly: First Dance Magic at The Sanya Edition Hotel in China

hotel sweet celebration Sanya elegant China niece memories

A unique perspective of the first dance at The Lalit, Udaipur, on a wedding day, captured in a timeless black and white photograph with a low angle shot, evoking nostalgia and elegance.

Elegant First Dance Bliss at The Lalit, Udaipur: Timeless Black and White Romance

bw wedding photojournalist The Lalit black and white love nostalgia timeless

A beautiful image is captured as the newlyweds rehearse their first dance at Borgo Tre Rose Hotel in Montepulciano during a tranquil outdoor portrait session on their wedding day.

Elegant First Dance Rehearsal at Borgo Tre Rose Hotel in Montepulciano: A Tranquil Portrait Session

Outdoor wedding photo newlyweds beautiful image Outdoor captured Montepulciano session

Newlywed couple sharing a joyous first dance outdoors at their wedding reception at Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort.

Romantic Rhythm: Newlyweds Cut a Rug at Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort Wedding Reception

California - Northern dancing outdoors Romantic Rhythm Mourelatos Lakeshore Resort Tahoe Vista dance

In Pennsylvania, at Springwood Reception Venue in Verona, the groom is comforted by the bride during their emotional first dance as husband and wife.

Pennsylvania Groom Finds Serene Support in Bride's Arms at Verona Venue

first dance brides arms husband and wife Verona weddings bride pennsylvania weddings comforted

A groom tenderly carries his bride during their first dance at a wedding in Vosges, France, showcasing love and elegance in a stunning setting.

Groom's graceful twirl with bride in Vosges, France captures love and elegance perfectly

groom carries bride Vosges France Vosges french wedding photographer graceful twirl Vosges Wedding Photographer first dance

A joyful moment captured at Don Carlos Beach club in Marbella, Spain as the bride and groom share their first dance, with the groom dipping the beaming bride in a show of pure happiness and energy.

DIPPED IN DELIGHT: Bride and Groom's First Dance at Marbella Beach Club Wedding

Don Carlos Beach Club Marbella bride Marbella weddings joyful moment energy Pure happiness first dance

Silhouettes of a bride and groom dancing their first dance at Villa Medicea di Lilliano in Florence, Italy. A beautiful black and white shot capturing the romantic moment.

Eternal Elegance: First Dance at Villa Medicea di Lilliano

black and white Florence silhouettes Italy Villa Medicea di Lilliano groom romantic

Bride and groom share their first dance in perfect symmetry at Villa Cimbrone on the Amalfi Coast.

Dancing in Harmony: A Love Story at Villa Cimbrone

Ravello amalfi coast Amalfi Coast weddings love story Amalfi Coast Photographer first dance dancing

Newlyweds dancing under the enchanting lights of Baronesse Tacco in San Floriano del Collio, Gorizia, Italy, capturing their romantic first dance on their wedding day.

Ethereal Elegance: Newlyweds' First Dance at Baronesse Tacco

Friuli-Venezia Giulia Italy couple ethereal San Floriano del Collio wedding Gorizia Baronesse Tacco wedding photography Gorizia

A tender moment captured at Dyker Beach Golf Course in Brooklyn, New York as the bride gazes affectionately at the groom during their first dance.

Love in Brooklyn: A First Dance at Dyker Beach

Brooklyn Brooklyn Documentary Wedding Photography tender moment Gazing bride Dyker Beach Golf Course first dance affectionate gaze

A touching moment captured at Cielo at Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Colorado - a new stepson gazing up at his stepmother during their first dance, while the emotional father watches on.

Family Bonds: A Stepson's First Dance at Cielo at Castle Pines

Castle Rock Documentary Wedding Photography first dance Cielo at Castle Pines gazing emotional Father stepson Castle Rock

A stunning first dance wedding photo captured at the iconic Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago, showcasing the epitome of classic Chicago style in Illinois.

Chicago Rhapsody: A Timeless First Dance at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel

Chicago Documentary Wedding Photography class style lit dance floor Chicago first dance iconic hotel Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago

Photograph of the wedding couple's first dance at Kohl Mansion in Burlingame, CA. The shot captures the mood with the colorful lighting illuminating the dance floor from above.

Captivating Wedding Dance at Kohl Mansion, Burlingame CA

first dance California - Northern colorful lighting illuminated dance floor Burlingame Artistic Image Kohl Mansion dance floor

The bride and groom at Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China Hotel, gracefully twirl on the dance floor during their first dance, showcasing the bride's stunning dress movement

Hangzhou Hotel's First Dance: A Graceful Showcase of Stunning Elegance

China Hotel Hangzhou wedding photography Zhejiang bride and groom movement Zhejiang dress first dance

In Denver, Colorado, at a reception venue, a documentary wedding photographer captured this award-winning image of a couple's first dance. They are beautifully framed between two floating candle holders.

Denver, Colorado: Capturing the Elegance of Love's First Dance in a Stunning Award-Winning Photograph

candles documentary wedding photographer first dance beautifully framed Elegance Denver Colorado reception venue

Malopolskie Wedding Reception Venue: A heartwarming moment during the first dance as the groom, dressed in military uniform, joyfully spins his bride off her feet with one arm

Joyful Spins: A Heartwarming First Dance in Malopolskie

Poland Malopolskie first dance Malopolskie Wedding Venue military uniform bride Malopolskie Wedding Reception Venue

A newlywed couple shares their first dance moves at the historic Boettcher Mansion in Golden, Colorado, creating memories to last a lifetime

Golden Memories: Newlyweds Dance at Boettcher Mansion

outdoor wedding first dance Boettcher Mansion Colorado wedding photographer Golden CO colorado weddings

Bride and groom share their first dance on the charming patio at Cascina Montena, Zenevreto, Italy, illuminated by twinkling lights against a backdrop of a beautiful night sky

Twinkling Lights Illuminate Charming Italian Patio for Bride's First Dance

Cascina Montena dance illuminated patio Zenevreto wedding photography Night beautiful night sky couple dancing

At Hotel HO Ciudad de Jaén, Jaén: The wedding dance always has great moments - fireworks and sparks light up the scene as the couple enjoys a hot first dance, creating an unforgettable memory.

Jaén Sparks: An Unforgettable First Dance with Fireworks and Romance

unforgettable memory Wedding Dance Hotel HO Jaen first dance Jaén Spain Jaen photography

The image shows a view from the top of the grand staircase at Josephine Butler Parks Center in Washington DC, capturing the first dance of a wedding

The Enchanting First Dance: A Fairy Tale Beginning at Josephine Butler Parks Center in Washington DC

Josephine Butler Parks Center first dance staircase high angle DC documentary wedding photography Washington DC grand staircase

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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.