Wedding Photos of Wedding reception

The following “Wedding reception” 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 reception” 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.

At the Crystal Gardens Event Center, a heartwarming scene unfolds as the children of the bride and groom share a playful moment while peering in on their parents who are on the verge of exchanging vows.

Children's Peek at the Wedding Bliss at Crystal Gardens Event Center

A candid moment during a wedding reception at Reception Paviljoen Puur near Amsterdam, as a child plays a game of giant Jenga outdoors under the warm sun, captured in a charming black and white image.

Charming Candid: Child's Giant Jenga Game at Reception Paviljoen Puur, Amsterdam Wedding Celebration

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A couple sharing a romantic kiss while dancing on the dance floor at a wedding reception at Giardini del Meisino venue.

Romantic Dance Floor Kiss at Giardini del Meisino: A Wedding Reception Moment Captured Forever

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A captured moment of joy and action at a wedding reception, guests dance on the floor at Giardini del Meisino venue in Italy.

Romantic Revelry: Guests Dance at Giardini del Meisino Wedding Reception in Italy

wedding reception joy Giardini del Meisino Turin floor dance revelry

A charming young boy in a stylish outfit joyfully blows bubbles outdoors during a wedding reception at Manoir du Chêne Rouge à Beaussais sur mer, captured in a nostalgic black and white photograph.

Boy's Bubbly Joy: Nostalgic Black and White Moment at Manoir du Chêne Rouge à Beaussais-sur-Mer

Manoir du Chêne Rouge outdoors wedding reception Cotes-d’Armor stylish bubbles black and white

A candid and detailed shot taken at a wedding reception in Linz Church, showcasing children and matching dress patterns in a serene setting, capturing a documentary-like moment on the special day.

Children Dressed in Matching Patterns: Candid Moment at Linz Church Wedding Reception

special day photography wedding reception Documentary Children detailed Linz Wedding Moment

A candid moment caught in the chaos of a wedding reception at The Kingscote Barn in Tetbury, as wind sweeps a parasol onto the roof while the keyboard musician continues to play, capturing a party atmosphere during the celebration.

Wind Sweeps Parasol to Roof: Keyboard Serenade at The Kingscote Barn, Tetbury Wedding Reception

Gloucestershire party chaos The Kingscote Barn roof play wind

Newlywed couple sitting under crystal chandeliers at their wedding reception in Gelderland, Netherlands. The bride and groom are enjoying a romantic minute together at the elegant restaurant.

Romantic Newlyweds Under Crystal Chandeliers: Wedding Bliss in Gelderland, Netherlands

bride groom newlyweds Gelderland love romantic celebration

A bride looking playful as she sits in the back of a convertible car in Lille, Nord, showing off her wedding ring.

BRIDE IN RIDE: LILLE BRIDE THRILLED WITH BLING IN WEDDING WHEELS

wedding ring wedding wheels limo convertible car Lille wedding day Lille Nord

Bride joyfully dances in the pool at The Ritz in Duck, NC, while her friends playfully stretch out her dress in the water, surrounded by about 20 guests joining in the celebration, some fully clothed.

Dunkin' Diva: Bride Dances in Pool at The Ritz, Friends Help Stretching Dress

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An older couple shares a laugh at District Winery in Washington DC as the husband playfully steals food from his wife during the reception.

Hubby Hilariously Steals Food from Wife at Wedding Reception

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At the lovely Village Hall in Blackpool, UK, a joyful bride is captured during her reception receiving a warm hug from a female friend.

GIDDY BRIDE GETS A SQUEEZE FROM BESTIE AT VILLAGE HALL WEDDING RECEPTION

warm hug Giddy village hall Blackpool wedding venue bride Blackpool UK

A newlywed bride and groom joyfully ski together to their wedding reception at High Camp.

SKIING TO SAY "I DO": NEWLYWED BRIDE AND GROOM HIT THE SLOPES IN WEDDING ATTIRE

wedding attire groom Mountain Resort slopes snow joyfully ski together

A bride and her daughters looking elegant at the wedding reception in The Pastures UK, capturing a sweet moment together with a solero in hand.

Elegant Mom & Gals at UK Wedding Reception: Sweet Moments & Solero Sips

The Pastures UK Photographer United Kingdom The Pastures UK kids solero young Bridesmaids

Bride and Groom riding in a vibrant mini red car with the sunroof open, heading to their wedding reception in Rodano, Millepini, Italy.

Just Married: Italian Escape in a Red Mini, Groom and Bride Off to Reception

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At Domaine de Neuville, Yvelines, France, a beautiful bride tosses her bouquet to a group of excited girls eagerly waiting to be married.

Bride at Domaine de Neuville, France, Throws Bouquet to Excited Girls

Yvelines throws flowers french wedding Neuville venue young ladies eager

Newlywed couple at a wedding at Chateau de la Ripaille in Haute Savoie, with flower petals swirling elegantly around them as they exit.

Elegant Elopement: A Chateau de la Ripaille Romance

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Bride, groom, and wedding witnesses seated at the luxurious imperial table inside Zemono Castle during the elegant wedding reception in Slovenia.

Royal Revelry: Wedding Feast at Zemono Castle

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Wedding portrait captures the sweet and intimate bond of a newlywed couple in the serene setting outside of a San Francisco California reception venue.

Serene San Francisco: Capturing the Sweet and Intimate Wedding Bond for a Couple

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A couple embraces in a dip during a colorful wedding reception at Blue Venado in Tulum, Mexico. This image was captured by a documentary wedding photographer and has received an award from WPJA.

Tulum Dance Dip: Award-Winning Documentary Wedding Photo at Blue Venado, Mexico

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Newlywed couple enjoying their wedding reception at Mountain Meadows Golf Course in Pomona, California, surrounded by pink, blue, and purple dj lights as they dance with their guests

Pomona's Party Palette: A Vibrant Celebration at Mountain Meadows

Mountain Meadows party Pomona bride DJ lights golf course vibrant celebration wedding reception

A groom and his friends tear it up on the dance floor during his wedding reception at Boettcher Mansion in Golden, Colorado

Golden Groove: A Groom's Epic Dance Floor Spectacle at Boettcher Mansion

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A skilled wedding photographer in Jaén captured this award-winning image of a bride fearlessly taking the stage and rocking out with the band at her wedding reception held at Salon Las Palmeras in Arjonilla, Jaén, Spain.

Fearless Bride Rocks Out with Band: Award-Winning Documentary Wedding Photo, Salon Las Palmeras, Arjonilla, Spain

Spain bride award winning image Jaen weddings Jaén Salon Las Palmeras rocking out

Bride and groom burst into laughter at their Kansas City, Missouri wedding reception during speeches, capturing a joyful moment

Kansas City, Missouri: Burst of Laughter at Wedding Reception

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At Geneva: Bride and groom make a grand exit surrounded by a cascade of white streamers, as guests cheer on the sunny outdoor lawn

Geneva Wedding: Grand Exit with White Streamers and Cheering Guests

Switzerland wedding photography outdoor wedding Wedding Lawn wedding venue White Streamers bride and groom cheering guests

A photographer in Lincolnshire captures a joyful moment at a wedding reception in Scrivelsby Walled Garden. Guests participate in a space hopper race, bouncing on inflatable toys and having fun on the grass. This image has been recognized by the WPJA.

Joyful Celebration: Wedding Guests Race on Space Hoppers at Lincolnshire's Scrivelsby Walled Garden

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Two guests enjoying garden games on bouncy space hoppers during the reception at Scrivelsby Walled Garden in Lincolnshire

Scrivelsby Walled Garden: Joyful Bouncing, Gaming Guests at Wedding Reception

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Baltimore, Maryland Wedding Reception: A heartwarming moment captured as the bride offers comfort to a speaker during an emotional speech. Surrounded by beautiful red roses and vibrant decorations, love fills the room.

Baltimore's Blooming Love: A Captured Connection at the Wedding Reception

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At Hacienda Sitio de Mata in Costa Rica, a touching moment captures the groom's emotions as the bride embraces her mother after walking down the aisle. A heartfelt scene filled with love and family ties.

Costa Rican Wedding Bliss: Embracing Love and Family at Sitio de Mata

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A pro photographer in Texas captured this award-winning image of a bride and groom dancing at their wedding reception. The groom lifts the bride onto his shoulder, illuminated by purple DJ lighting.

Texas Tango: Award-Winning Photo of Dynamic Bride and Groom Dance Shot By Pro Photographer

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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.