SMALL WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS | choose love, not fear

Intimate Weddings & Elopement Photography

Since 2002, the WPJA has been connecting couples with the best, most artistic wedding photographers from around the world.

Dublin wedding reportage images by Aaron Daly of Leinster, Ireland
Wiltshire Wedding Reportage Photography by Alex Buckland of Cotswolds England United Kingdom
Portrait of Wedding Photographer David Butler II
UK wedding reportage photographer, Matt Ebbage
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes wedding photography by Coralie Garavel of the France WPJA
Portrait of French wedding photographer, Solène Lagant
Joss Denham -- North East Wedding Photographer
Portrait of Bill Tse, Wedding Photographer
Studio portrait of Moselle wedding photographer Jonathan Gabel of the Grand Est WPJA in France
Portrait of Nottinghamshire elopement and wedding photographer Martin Makowski, of United Kingdom England East Midlands
Engagement, Wedding and Elopement Photographer for New England, Andy Madea
Colorado wedding photography and CO couple engagement portraits by Joe Pyle
Studio portrait of Rish Agarwal, a candid wedding photographer
Poitiers wedding photography by Corentin Azamoun of the Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France WPJA
France engagement, elopement, and wedding photography by Mehdi Djafer
Serenay Lokcetin - Wedding Reportage Photographer
Tracey Buyce Wedding Images

Authentic Photography

The WPJA organizes various wedding photography rounds annually, recognizing and honoring exceptionally captivating images.

Take a look at the previous victors by clicking on the links below:

Intimate, Micro Wedding Planning & Elopement Articles

Kobe Vanderzande, of Limburg, is a wedding photographer for

There’s nothing quite like an intimate wedding reception in a tent, with its uniquely informal atmosphere, customized decor and proximity to the elements...

Not everyone has a lagoon or glacier next door, but there's no rule saying you can't have a small wedding in the great outdoors. Take advantage of natural...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

Steven Herrschaft, of Hessen, is a wedding photographer for Hofgut Weiniger
Tyler Vu, of California, is a wedding photographer for
Vincent Mu, of , is a wedding photographer for

WPJA Contest Photos - January 19th, 2024

Any wedding photographer is going to want to please their clients — but they also want their work to be appreciated on a broader scale. This is one of the reasons why the Wedding Photojournalist Association members love our regular photography competitions. These popular contests give our photographers the opportunity to submit their best images in hopes of being selected as a winner and being recognized for their creativity and effort. Our contests are judged by a panel of notable and respected working photojournalists and picture editors in the news industry, which adds an element of prestige to our awards.

A picturesque wedding moment captured at the Duomo di Biella in Italy, as guests shower the happy couple with confetti while they exit the church ceremony
At a Lyon Rhône Reception Venue, the girls eagerly compete to catch the bridal bouquet while other guests observe the exciting scene.
Sainte Maxime, France: A champagne accident spews onto a couch during bridal prep as the bride gets her hair and makeup done in the background
A couple and their friends hike to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for a wedding ceremony overlooking the beautiful White Mountains in New Hampshire. The photographer captures this scene, earning them a WPJA award.
At Relais Franciacorta in Brescia, Italy, a couple can be seen cutting their wedding cake amidst a spectacular fireworks display. The bride and groom share a romantic kiss under the night sky.
The groom and ushers at Two Woods Estate, West Sussex, getting ready for the big day by putting on their new socks - a thoughtful gift from the groom
Bride and groom joyfully celebrate their wedding at Felicity Church in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans, leading a second line parade
Echo Mountain, Idaho Springs, CO: Best dog watching his parents get married in a field at a remote location in nature. Spectacular scenery at Echo Mountain.

Artistic Guild - Creative Portraits and Details - January 31st, 2024

The Artistic Guild competitions are distinctly different from our other WPJA contests because this category is specifically for photographers who use their talent to create digitally-enhanced images, staged portraits and dramatic detail images. This competition attracts documentary wedding photographers who also view themselves as artists who are constantly looking to create their next masterpiece.

Award-winning photographer captures the bride's elegance at her Apulia home. Multiple reflections from bedroom mirrors beautifully frame the scene as she holds her bouquet of flowers.
In Moselle, a close-up shot at the wedding venue, the focus is on the hands of the newlyweds, with the bride's ring highlighted.
An award-winning wedding photographer captures love at the serene Nomade Lodge in Seine-et-Marne. This romantic portrait showcases an intimate couple under a veil and trees, radiating happiness and affection.
An award-winning image captures the vibrant aftermath of a joyous celebration at Woolas Barn, as colorful confetti adorns the floor, alongside the elegant footwear and the bride's pristine white dress.
Award-winning wedding photographer captures the couple's intimate pose at Ambient Studio in Atlanta. The artistic silhouette portrait highlights their love against the backdrop of exquisite drapery.
In Poitiers, the groom's witnesses carry him for a group photo at the wedding. The black and white portrait captures the humor pose.
At Crested Butte, Colorado, the newlyweds share a joyful pose on a playground swingset, radiating happiness as they celebrate their wedding day in a picturesque setting.
Wedding portrait of couple at Tenuta di Polline - Lago di Bracciano - Italy. Partial silhouettes of the couple holding hands on the lake shore, with warm tones and sunlight.

Diamond Awards - Pre-Wedding Engagement Portraits - April 8th, 2024

Couples who are searching for a wedding photographer often want a pre-wedding engagement portrait session as well as wedding day photography services. Engagement photographers need to rely on their skill and expertise in order to help their couples select a meaningful location for their portrait session. These awards allow engagement photographers to submit their most moving engagement images in hopes of being recognized for their creativity and skill.

Captured in Norwich's Waterloo Gardens, this portrait showcases a couple strolling through the enchanting wisteria pavilion, emanating a serene and romantic atmosphere.
The Elliots Beach engagement portrait captures the couple against a sky filled with birds at sunrise in Besant Nagar, Chennai, India.
Captured in St. Lawrence Old Church, a charming village in Hertfordshire, this pre-wedding photo exudes excitement as the couple eagerly anticipates their upcoming wedding day.
In the picturesque setting of Duino, Trieste, Italy, the couple embraces each other on sea view rocks, with the sparkling water serving as a stunning backdrop.
In Phalsbourg, France, a couple poses in front of heart-shaped green shutters for their engagement portrait, showcasing love and charm.
In a picturesque setting at Cape Cod Airfield, a couple takes a nostalgic walk beside a classic plane during the golden hour, symbolizing their timeless love.
In a lush jungle setting in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, a couple lovingly shares a kiss surrounded by vibrant palm fronds.
Captured in Cappadocia, Turkey, this pre-wedding photo session radiates romance. The couple, enveloped in a dreamy atmosphere, is beautifully showcased against the blue sky and fluffy clouds, with her bright red dress adding a vibrant contrast.

TLC - True Love Captured - March 3rd, 2023

This WPJA photography competition is focused on the emotions that are on display throughout any wedding event. The images showcase the powerful emotions that the couple are experiencing, and any of the feelings that any wedding guests may go through. The TLC contests follow a long-standing WPJA category tradition of capturing raw emotions.

The wedding photographer captured a timeless moment of love and joy as the bride's grandparents danced in an embrace at the Mountain Top Inn in Vermont
At a wedding in Bucharest, Romania, the groom lovingly hugged his sister - a beautiful black and white image captured the emotional moment
The wedding photojournalist at Fleurance, Gers, France captured a heartwarming moment of the groom embracing his daughter as he prepared for his big day
The photographer at the W Hotel in Chicago, IL captured a beautiful moment of the bride kissing her grandma right before walking down the aisle
The emotion of the proud parents hugging their son, the groom, as he prepared for his wedding day at House of the Groom in Siderno, Reggio Calabria was so beautiful it was captured as a timeless moment by the photographer
The wedding photo taken at West Haven, Connecticut captured a touching moment of a groom shedding tears as his mother lovingly does his hair for the big day
The bride's parents' emotional embrace and tears at the Chinese tea wedding ceremony in Sanya, Hainan, China was truly a beautiful moment to be captured by the photographer
The bride's tearful joy and the groom's humorous charm were beautifully captured in a wedding photo at Snowmass, Aspen Colorado with a backdrop of fall colored trees during their outdoor ceremony