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.

Chicago wedding and elopement photography by Milan Lazic of Illinois United States
San Jose wedding and elopement photography by Jipeng Han of Northern California
Wedding photography by Clementine Labrosse for Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France
California wedding and elopement photographer Annie Bang
Studio portrait of wedding and elopement photographer Erica Dietz
Portrait of wedding photographer Sarah Nader
Kirill Brusilovsky wedding photography for creative couples
At-work image of Europe-based Destination Wedding and Elopement Photographer Sofia Camplioni
Colorado wedding photography and CO couple engagement portraits by Joe Pyle
Colorado wedding photography and intimate elopements by Stacy Gillespie
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes wedding photography by Coralie Garavel of the France WPJA
San Antonio wedding photography by Kelly Williams of the Texas WPJA
Loic Nicoloso wedding photography in Saône-et-Loire, Bourgogne-Franche-Comte, France
Portrait of Gabor Kapuvari, an award-winning wedding photographer of Budapest, Hungary
France wedding photography in a documentary style by Florian Maguin
Italy wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Simone Miglietta
Wiltshire Wedding Reportage Photography by Alex Buckland of Cotswolds England United Kingdom

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

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...

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...

The Authenticity of
Wedding Photojournalism

Teun Bakker, of Noord Holland, is a wedding photographer for
Michelle Arlotta, of New Jersey, is a wedding photographer for
Patrick Lombaert, 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.

In this award-winning photo taken by a wedding photographer in Briey, Meurthe-et-Moselle, the bride and her mother are seen getting ready for the big day. Their reflection is captured in a round wall mirror.
At Younger Ranch, Colorado Springs, CO - A charming flower girl couldn't contain her excitement and impulsively interrupts the cake cutting ceremony, creating a heartwarming moment captured from a high camera angle.
In Worms, Rheinland-Pfalz, a young girl joyfully exits the church, tossing flower petals from a basket. This candid moment captures the pure happiness of a wedding day.
At Menton, Alpes Maritimes, France, the bride and her loved ones prepare for her wedding day in this black and white image, capturing the intimate moments before the ceremony.
In Georgia Botanical Gardens, the groom joyfully celebrates after the ceremony, yelling out and gesturing with excitement, adding a memorable twist to their special wedding day.
In Livermore, the bride prepares for her big day by engaging in a pre-wedding ritual in her dressing room, while a mirror reflection features a perfectly symmetrical duplicate of herself.
Charente-Maritime domaine de Puyrigaud: A heartwarming moment captured during the outdoor marriage certificate signing ceremony, as the couple embraces witnesses.
At Ardeche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Ceremony Location, the best man embraces his role as the angel of love, adorned with a toy bow and arrow. This whimsical wedding moment captures the essence of Cupid's enchanting presence.

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.

A wedding portrait at Villa Cavriani in Barbasso, Mantua, Italy, featuring the groom and highlighting the bride's gown in the foreground.
A black and white frame captures the bustling scene at Maison des mariés as everyone focuses on adjusting the final details for the groom. The photographer's artistic touch highlights the intricacies of the scene.
Award-winning portrait capturing the modern and stylish essence of a wedding couple at Domaine de la Grand Maison. The groom embraces his bride under a picturesque tree where they exchanged vows just moments ago.
Award-winning wedding portrait taken at Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach, FL. Bride and groom gracefully pose in front of a massive, unique vintage typewriter eraser installation.
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.
Capturing the whimsical spirit of the couple's wedding day, the artistically skilled photographer captured a stunning image as the couple playfully tossed their rings into the air, only for them to land back in their hands.
In Santorini, Greece, a bride and groom share a romantic kiss against the backdrop of the clear sea. The photographer captures their love from a high viewpoint, creating a dreamy image.
Award-winning wedding image captures the groom in reflection, donning his shirt at a stunning Chateauroux location in Indre. This artistic shot beautifully showcases the anticipation and preparation on the wedding day.

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.

A romantic engagement portrait captured in black and white at Catton Park, Norwich. The groom kisses his soon-to-be bride's forehead in a wildflower meadow, exuding a timeless and vintage aesthetic.
In the romantic town of Vals-les-Bains, France, a couple stands facing each other on a sweet spring evening, silhouetted between trees and bushes.
A tender session captured in black and white at Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, where a man lovingly kisses his fiancé, sitting close and cozy. Vintage vibes are exuded from this monochromatic portrait.
In their engagement portrait at Bok Building, Philadelphia, two women hold each other close after a private rooftop proposal at Bok Bar. Surrounded by candles, they exude relaxed romance.
A whimsical engagement portrait captured at Paris-Orsay Museum, with a vintage aesthetic. Their premonitory photo taken before their wedding ceremony adds a charming twist to their love story.
Captured in Forsyth Park, Savannah, Georgia, this engagement portrait features a couple sitting side by side on a wooden bench, gazing at the camera.
In a cozy hotel hall in Aix les Bains, a couple in love share a tender session among dreamy bokeh lights. They are close together, holding each other.
At Plage Guadeloupe, this engagement portrait showcases a couple standing on a boat in the sea, captured by a photographer from the water. A beautiful and romantic setting.

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 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
The wedding photojournalist captured the beautiful and emotional moment of the Bride as she reads her heartfelt vows in the sunshine beneath the trees at Hardy Farm in Fryeburg, Maine
The photograph captured a beautiful and emotional moment as the bride held back tears while saying her vows outdoors at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, WI
The groom's touching encouragement of his witnesses to make a speech at his outdoor ceremony at Les tables de Crespin, the reception venue in Tarn, France, was captured beautifully in this wedding photo
The photographer captured a beautiful moment of the bride joyously embracing her best friend on the dance floor of her San Francisco wedding reception
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
At a wedding in Bucharest, Romania, the groom lovingly hugged his sister - a beautiful black and white image captured the emotional moment
The photographer captured the beautiful, emotional moment between the bride and groom after they exchanged their rings in Trieste, Italy