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.

Megan Resch, Photojournalist & Wedding Photographer
Joss Denham -- North East Wedding Photographer
Foggia wedding photography by Pino Coduti of Apulia, Italy
Adventure weddings and elopement photography by Lauren Lindley
Oise elopement and wedding photography by Frederic Bry of the Hauts-de-France WPJA
Canada wedding and elopement photography by Lauren Hannah Garcia
Rob Dodsworth - Wedding Reportage Images
Elopements by Top Wedding Photographer Justin Edmonds
Parana Wedding Photography and Engagement Sessions by Heloisa Todescatt of Brazil
Indra Simons - iSi weddings - Dutch wedding and elopement photographer
Zuid Holland Wedding Photographer Ingeborg van Bruggen
Wiltshire Wedding Reportage Photography by Alex Buckland of Cotswolds England United Kingdom
Adventure elopement and wedding photography by Mike Kory
Wedding, engagement and elopement photography by Anastasiia Polyakov, of So Tender Is Humanity
Robin Goodlad is a UK based Wedding Reportage and Elopement Photographer
Kobe Vanderzande creates artistic and documentary images from marriage ceremonies and reception parties
Wedding and elopement photography by Jonathan Ryder

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

Romulo Morishita, of Wisconsin, is a wedding photographer for Madison, WI

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.

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
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: The proud grandfather of the bride captures cherished moments on his point-and-shoot camera from his seat during the ceremony
Wedding ceremony at Sofia's Church of the Nativity of Christ captures the moment when a priest in a red cape holds a cross while the bride holds a single candle
During the secular ceremony at Ceremony Location, Le Logis de Réputé in Sainte-Cécile, France, the bride and groom can't hide their excitement and joy as they react to a heartfelt speech
At the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Reception Venue, the bride is caught in shock as her husband accidentally falls out of his chair during the horah, prompting everyone to quickly lend a helping hand
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.
Chigwell Marquees in the UK showcases a happy bride and groom surrounded by friends celebrating their Hindu wedding ceremony
Bridal party enjoying a group lunch on concrete benches under a shade canopy at Nanping Fujian park wedding

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.

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.
Embracing Love: Celebrating the beauty of unity, two brides share an intimate pose against the backdrop of a striking industrial door in Kelham Island, Sheffield.
Captured at the Humble House Hotel in Taipei, the award-winning photographer utilizes the glow from phone flash light devices held by joyful wedding guests, creating a mesmerizing and luminous portrait of the couple.
Capturing the enchanting beauty of a historic Montpellier church, this award-winning image showcases the pipe organ player, immersed in their music, adding a touch of artistry to the wedding day.
At Piney River Ranch, a wedding couple shares a tender portrait session on the boat dock at sunset, with stunning reflections in the water of them, the mountains, and the clouds.
Wedding detail shot at party hall in Domartemont, Meurthe-et-Moselle: The bride embraces a loved one, revealing her foliage tattoo on her arm, captured from behind in a heartfelt hug.
At Stanlake Park Vineyard in Berkshire, UK, the groom gently slips the wedding ring onto the bride's finger, symbolizing their eternal love.
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.

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.

The Elliots Beach engagement portrait captures the couple against a sky filled with birds at sunrise in Besant Nagar, Chennai, India.
Captured in the serene Loonse en Drunense Duinen, Holland, this intimate engagement portrait showcases the couple in a romantic and relaxed setting, holding each other closely, framed through trees.
A stunning engagement portrait of a couple captured in the city of Aix les Bains, gazing into each other's eyes in a reflection in a puddle on the urban streets.
In Phalsbourg, France, a couple stands in front of a small castle, their silhouettes capturing the romance of their upcoming wedding engagement.
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.
A romantic silhouette of a couple in love at Lakewood Park, OH. The pair stands elegantly under a single lamp post, creating a striking image.
In the picturesque setting of Portopiccolo Sistiana, Duino, Trieste, Italy, this couple, hand in hand, gracefully descends the stairs during a romantic portrait session.
In Udine, Italy, a couple stands on a garden wall with a city view and the low sun behind them, creating a romantic and relaxed portrait session.

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 the stunning Mont La Salle in Napa, CA, the moment a bridesmaid holding flowers ran to hug the bride was truly a beautiful and emotional one that the wedding photographer was able to capture
The photographer captured the emotional moment of the bride picking up her friend in a foggy embrace on the dance floor of her Montpellier wedding
The photographer captured the beautiful, emotional moment between the bride and groom after they exchanged their rings in Trieste, Italy
The photographer at Ashton Creek Vineyard in Richmond, Virginia captured a beautiful moment of the bride and bridesmaids tearfully witnessing the groom's heartfelt vows
The happy couple leaving their civil ceremony in Biarritz, France with their little boy beaming with joy at his parents' marriage, is captured wonderfully in this wedding photo, showing the love from his mother
The brothers' emotional speeches and hugs at the Lobster Factory ceremony in Tournai, Belgium were beautifully captured in the wedding photo
The photographer captured the beautiful moment of a wedding guest giving the bride a big hug and a kiss on the cheek at the Private Home in Congham, Norfolk, UK