Our Favorite Wedding Photos of 2022

bride in sunglasses eating a plate of spaghetti — Photo by Brogen Jessup / Design by Tiana Crispino

With over 185 Real Weddings published on Brides in 2022 with over 5,500 photos showcased, there are truly countless photos that we have loved this year. These images capture the beauty, emotion, and stunning designs from meaningful celebrations of couples all around the world. While every photo selected for a feature is a standout from wedding albums filled with thousands of snaps, there are a few that have stuck with us as some of the most breathtaking of the year.

These images have amazing photography, fun fashion, standout décor, and emotional moments that truly encapsulate the joy and beauty of a wedding. Ahead, see 25 of the Brides editors' favorite photos from 2022.

01 of 25

An Emotional First Look

first look with bride and groom crying on the shore of the Amalfi Coast — Photo by David Bastianoni

Before their wedding on the Amalfi Coast, Stephanie and Antoine were overwhelmed with emotion in this stunning first look photo. “My husband said he wouldn’t cry, and when he turned around, tears came falling down his eyes—and mine, of course," shares the bride. "It was a beautiful moment because we finally did it and got married at the same place we said we would five years ago.”

02 of 25

A Moment of Tenderness

Cassondra Kaeding and Allison McNamara together in wedding attire — Photo by Moni & Adri

For beauty pros Cass Kaeding and Allison McNamara's Tulum nuptials, doing their first look at their hotel before heading to their wedding venue made for some beautiful photos and calmed the nerves. "It was really nice to have that time just the two of us prior to the wedding," share the brides. "And, we traveled to the wedding together which I think made us both a little more calm and less nervous."

03 of 25

A Tear of Joy

bride taps bride on the shoulder as she wipes away a tear — Photo by We The Romantics

In a stunning shot, bride Kelly wipes away a tear as her fiancé Heather taps her on the shoulder before their trip down the aisle on a Houston rooftop. “Our first look was unforgettable,” Heather remembers. “As Kelly waited on the expansive balcony of the hotel suite, she played a song that means so much to us as a couple, ‘Grave’ by Thomas Rhett. I was so nervous when I walked out to meet her, but when I tapped her to turn around, she had the sweetest look on her face as she saw my dress for the first time."

04 of 25

A Cloud Full of Color

multi-colored smoke bomb behind the bride and groom in traditional Indian attire — Photo by Ana Hinojosa

The beginning of Priya and Johnny's sangeet was a rainbow of color. The couple gave smoke bombs to their wedding party, who let them off for a celebratory entrance into the festivities.

05 of 25

A Pre-Wedding Bite

bride with purple sunglasses eating a plate of spaghetti — Photo by Brogen Jessup

Getting enough fuel before your wedding day is an essential. It also can make for an incredible photo like this shot of floral designer Natalie Gill grabbing a bite before heading to her San Diego venue.

06 of 25

A Stroke of Light

a bride and groom walk through the architecture of Amangiri — Photo by KT Merry

The stark architecture of Amangiri and a beautiful light cast along the building creates a stunning contrast to bride Jaclyn's sweeping Milla Nova gown as she walks with her groom-to-be.

07 of 25

A Messy Kiss

Priya Krishna and Seth Byrum kiss after the Haldi ceremony at their wedding weekend — Photo by Lev Kuperman

After getting covered in tumeric paste for their Haldi ceremony, cookbook author Priya Krishna and her husband Seth Byrum share a tender—albiet messy—kiss at their New Hampshire wedding weekend.

08 of 25

A Stunning Sunset

bride and groom on cliff at Moab while the sun sets — Photo by The Foxes Photography

The day after their desert nuptials in Moab, Chastity and Francois took a hike up to the beautiful peaks of the national park for a portrait session. This shot of the pair as the sun is setting is truly a breathtaking moment.

09 of 25

A Reflective Photograph

bride and groom embrace next to Invisible House in Joshua Tree — Photo by Sydney Noelle Photography

Booking the Invisible House in Joshua Tree—a beautiful mirrored building in the desert—essentially guarantees stunning photos with the structure as the backdrop. This photo of Sage and Teddy before their modern wedding is proof.

10 of 25

An Adorable Flower Boy

a flower boy throws petal at a wedding ceremony aisle — Photo by Jana Williams Photography

The flower boy definitely stole the show during his trip down the aisle at actress Marielle Scott and host Ryan Bergara's Santa Barbara wedding. We love this action shot of his exuberant toss of petals.

11 of 25

An Elevated Embrace

bride and groom kiss on cliff at sunset — Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography

Grace and Travis said their vows atop a helipad of a villa in the hills of Malibu. "We loved the beauty of the place,” they explain. “It was up in the mountains where we felt close to God." After they said "I do," the light hit perfectly as they shared a kiss.

12 of 25

A Look of Love

bride looks at groom during wedding ceremony — Photo by Ryan Ray Photography

As Olivia and Eric exchanged traditional vows at their Connecticut ceremony, their photographer Ryan Ray captured a lovely moment of the bride gazing upon the groom.

13 of 25

A Moment of Friendship

brides sit on platform with baby's breath at wedding ceremony as friends give readings — Photo by Ana Hinojosa

For Maria and Andrea's wedding, they brought some of their closest friends to the stage to give readings and help them perform different unity ceremonies. “It was not traditional—it was very honest and heartfelt,” Andrea says. “We read a lot about different rites and ceremonies, and we took what felt important and true to us. We had friends participate by speaking about us and our union, we lit a candle that joined our lights as one, and exchanged rings."

14 of 25

An Ecstatic Exit

Jim Chapman and Sarah Tarleton walk down the aisle under tossed petals — Photo by Benjamin Wheeler & Ben Higgins

After Youtube star Jim Chapman and model Sarah Tarleton said "I do" at their beautiful Seville wedding, the couple recessed hand in hand as their loved ones tossed flower petals overhead. This stunning shot captures the absolute joy of post-wedded bliss.

15 of 25

An Enthusiastic Officiant

bride and groom begin recessional as Maya Rudolph cheers on underneath rose arches — Photo by PS Photography + Films

Actress Maya Rudolph put her all into cheering on her cousin Sabrina and her new husband Clark after she officiated their colorful Miami wedding.

16 of 25

A Post-Nuptial Cheer

Jules Von Hep and Mark Beverlo celebrate after their wedding ceremony — Photo by Jacob van Rozelaar

Isle of Paradise founder Jules Von Hep and Mark Beverlo were all smiles after they were pronounced husband and husband at their floral-filled ceremony in The Netherlands.

17 of 25

A Confetti Shower

groom kisses a brides cheek as confetti showers around them — Photo by Katelyn James

Wedding photographer Paige Vaughn set up a stunning shot while planning her own wedding. After saying "I do," on-palette confetti showered down from overhead as she and her new husband Nikhil shared a kiss.

18 of 25

A Rainbow Parade

Kate Austin and Sarah Sulsenti walk through aisle of rainbow flags — Photo by Ashley Rae Photography

Content creators Kate Austin and Sarah Sulsenti went viral after Sarah proposed to Kate on Ellen. On April 22, 2022, the pair finally tied the knot in New Jersey and celebrated in a moment of pride for their love and community by walking hand-in-hand down an aisle of their loved ones waving rainbow flags.

19 of 25

A Charming Getaway

Katie Sands and Brian Bochner in Jeep after wedding — Photo by Olivia Rae James

In appropriate Miami fashion, influencer Katie Sands and her husband Brian Bochner popped into a Jeep to drive around the town after exchanging rings. Luckily, their photographer Olivia Rae James was on hand to capture the joy ride.

20 of 25

A Fashionable Addition

Olivia Amato looks back in her wedding gown with a bow and a car behind her — Photo by Sarah Falugo

After her ceremony, Peloton instructor Olivia Amato swapped her cape for gloves and a large Ines de Santo bow at the back of her Mark Ingram gown. "The effortless cape gave me the cool and unique element I was looking for, and then changing into the gloves and bow gave me the glamorous structured element," explains the bride.

21 of 25

A Dramatic Dip

a groom dips a bride on the dance floor — Photo by Peyton Byford

A first dance is a great opportunity to have some fun with your new spouse and show off your best moves. Case in point: this deep dip from Claire and Josh's spring wedding in Texas.

22 of 25

A Golden Shot

bride in gold dress and groom near fireplace holding Champange — Photo by Kiyah C Photography

We love an outfit change and Indhira's golden gown for her reception absolutely shined at her Gilded Age-inspired nuptials to Jason. This moment captured on film beautifully showcases the dress and their love.

23 of 25

A Color-Coordinated Cake Cutting

Lindsey Metselaar in a green vintage dress and Steven Green eat wedding cake — Photo by Allan Zepeda Photography

Lindsey Metselaar also had an incredible outfit change at her Palm Beach wedding to Steven Green. She sourced a standout vintage gown with detachable sleeves from Happy Isles. "The fact that it was green, which went with our wedding theme and my new last name—I knew it had to be fate, and I had to have it for the big day! I decided to change into it for the cake cutting, since our cake had this amazing green detail," shares the bride.

24 of 25

An Illuminated Hora

bride and groom on chairs during hora dance beneath a ceiling installation of greenery and lights — Photo by John & Joseph

Horas are always an exciting part of a Jewish wedding ceremony, but this stunning ceiling arrangement of greenery and lights at Sam and Eli's gorgeous Puglia wedding absolutely elevated this incredible shot.

25 of 25

A Glowing Late-Night Kiss

bride and groom kiss while dancing under purple glow of lights — Photo by Jose Villa

Photographer Jose Villa captured a tender moment between the bride and groom as they danced the night away under the glow of colorful lights at their barn afterparty.