Wedding photos are often filled with moving pictures, unexpected candid snaps, and precious mementos of the celebration, but some photographers go above and beyond to capture the most arresting moments of the big day.
A newly curated selection of photos features truly unique images taken during weddings across the world, giving center stage to many emotional moments — and plenty of quirky happenings as well.
Fearless Photographers, a website that celebrates photographers’ exceptional work, picked many of the images as part of a series called Real Moments.
The snaps focus on ‘unscripted’ moments that capture the vulnerability, love, and support between the brides, grooms, and their guests, which are often brought to light over the course of a wedding day.
Other images come from a series titled Art and Beauty, which focuses on aesthetic photos. Some come from a collection titled Fun and Playful, which shows just how skilled some photographers are at capturing fleeting, humorous moments.
One of the images sees a bride breastfeeding her baby while someone holds a water bottle up to her lips so she can drink, while a woman fixes the child’s shoe and a man arranges that woman’s hair.
Another photo features a bride with two red rose petals that happened to be flying right in front of each of her eyes as she exited the church with her husband.
With a little help from my friends: This photo taken by Giuseppe Genovese sees a bride breastfeeding her baby while someone holds a water bottle up to her lips, as a woman fixes the child’s shoe and a man arranges that woman’s hair
Look of love: Another photo, taken by Ciprian Biclineru, features a bride with two red rose petals that happened to be flying right in front of each of her eyes as she exited the church with her husband
Busy: One bride was photographed by Elizabeth Golden pumping her breast milk while taking a phone call on the big day
Timing: One couple were posing for a romantic photo in the ocean when this excited dog decided to join them. Photographer Pasquale Minniti captured the moment
Moment: One bride was photographed by Valter Antunas enjoying a toast in a whimsical black and white photo
Weather forecast: This couple faced strong gusts of wind while posing on the beach for photographer Jeff Cooke
Optical illusion: One groom photographed by Fabio Mirulla found himself the new owner of a huge mustache courtesy of his umbrella, much to his bride-s delight
Bon appetit! The dapper dog in this photo by AV Fotoreportages seems to be yearning for a slice of wedding cake
Reaction: Jason Q Tran captured a little boy’s disgruntled facial expression while the bride and groom exchanged their vows
For real: The game seemed truly over for this little boy photographed by Laffler Photography being comforted by the bride
Celebration: One photo by Rimi Sen sees a bride being splashed with liquid as her guests surround her
Touch: Ufuk Sarisen captured the back of a man’s hand on the bride’s back, while Junior Barreto photographed a dog glancing intently at the bride’s dress while a protective hand brushes against it
Arrival: This shot by Ja’eli van Beveren Fotografie features a dapper man in a suit about to step off an elevator while three curious people lean forward as if to figure out what is going on next to them
Taking a break: One man tuned out the wedding celebrations to read Life Magazine next to a table covered with bouquets — a moment immortalized by Katie Kaizer
Moving: This photo by Wandering Woo sees a bride clearly overcome by emotion on her wedding day
Surprise! This bride and her bridesmaids were posing for Julie Fulsher when a goat decided to join in
Love: Photographer Ian Xu captured this black and white shot immortalizing the emotions of the day
Flying high: Photographer Andrev Zhulav snapped this spectacular shot of the bride’s wedding gown flying around
On the sidelines: One little boy and one little girl looked ready to exchange a kiss while the bride and groom exchanged their vows, in a photo snapped by Yure Richard
Focus: Photographer Geeshan Bandara snapped this shot of a bride surrounded by the attention of her groom and loved ones
Romance: Two brides exchanged a tender kiss in this photo by Arno de Brulin
Not having a great time: This flower girl, photographed by Callaway Gable, seemed distressed as she found herself in a sea of white dresses
Swimming: One couple posed for Sabina Mladin on a beach while letting the waves roll over them
Sweet relief: This bride, photographed by Sven Soetens, seemed happy to get rid of her bra
Timing: One man on a bike happened to drive right past two brides’ engagement shoot, resulting in this arresting shot by Bee Two Sweet
Sweet: Photographer Kathryn Krueger captured this moving photo of a bride’s first dance with her father
Together: Photographer Nat Wongsaroj captured two simultaneous moments of emotion in one snap
Chilly: This bride threw her bouquet for her guests to catch in a snowy, wintry setting immortalized by Allison Bounce
Splash! This bride photographed by HM foto ended up immersed in water, with her dress ballooning around her
Candid: Photographer Luise Figenio snapped this photo of a bride and her emotional groom during a toast
Gravity: One bride was photographed by Lisa Carpenter with her bridesmaid jumping inside a bouncy castle
Generations: This snap by Indra Simons sees a little girl sharing the smell of her bouquet with one of the attendees