50 of the best engagement photos from around the world

• Junebug Weddings chooses 50 of the best engagement photos every year.
• Submissions come from around the world.

The average American couple spends just under $30,000 on a wedding, but for many, the celebrations start long before they walk down the aisle.

To mark the start of their happily ever afters, some couples take engagement photos, even traveling to an epic location — or a particularly meaningful spot — to get the perfect image.

Junebug Weddings has an annual photo contest to choose the best engagement photos worldwide.

Here are its winners from 2024.

A perfectly placed rainbow elevates this engagement photo taken in Glencoe, Scotland.

Taken by Simon Lees of SimonsStudio.      SimonsStudio

In this image, the sunset frames a couple in Toronto.

Taken by Ashlyn Mondoux of JustTheDaisies.      JustTheDaisies

This stunning photograph looks like it was taken in space.

Taken by Andra Lesmana of The Limitless Moment.      The Limitless Moment

Yosemite National Park is an epic location for an epic life moment.

Taken by Christie Abascal of Summit and Sur Photography.      Summit and Sur Photography

Similarly, the mountains of New Zealand provide a jaw-dropping backdrop.

Taken by Ben Lane & Sirjana Singh of Tinted Photography.      Tinted Photography

The contrast between this Indonesian beach's pink sand and the blue ocean is striking.

Taken by Stephen Yau of Stephen Yau Weddings.      Stephen Yau Weddings

This looks more like a piece of art than a photograph. It was taken in Iceland.

Taken by Mait Juriado of MJ Studios.      MJ Studios

Getting married is like walking into the unknown together, which is visually represented in this photo taken on Australia's Mount Hotham.

Taken by Rochelle Hansen of Love Wilder.      Love Wilder

No, this wasn't taken on Arrakis from "Dune." It's actually Ninh Thuan, a province in Vietnam.

Taken by Thien Tong of Thien Tong Photography.      Thien Tong Photography

Engagement photographers also captured intimate moments of joy between couples.

Taken by Aisha Khan of Ama by Aisha.      Ama by Aisha

After all, sometimes simplicity is the best choice for an engagement photo.

Taken by Yuliia Kosynska of YUKO.WEDDINGS.      Yuliia Kosynska

This photo, which could be an album cover, shows a quiet moment between a couple.

Taken by Alex Samsonowska of Alex De Lucca Photography.      Alex De Lucca Photography

This couple is the picture of serenity.

Taken by Giuliano Lo Re of Giuliano Lo Re Photography.      Giuliano Lo Re Photography

The simple act of holding hands can be made swoon-worthy with the right photographer.

Taken by Joel Jaszczyszak of Joelsview Photography.      Joelsview Photography

So can sharing a laugh with your fiancé, shown in this snap taken in Bali.

Taken by Irezz Pratama of Terralogical.      Terralogical

Jumping on the bed is an appropriate reaction to getting engaged, proven by this Kansas City couple.

Taken by Juliana Jumper of Juliana Noelle Jumper Photography.      Juliana Noelle Jumper Photography

A carwash might not be the first place you think of when you think engagement photos, but maybe it should be.

Taken by Valerie Lisuk of Valerie Lisuk Photography.      Valerie Lisuk Photography

This image was taken at Hudson Valley Vinyl in Beacon, New York.

Taken by Kathleen Whittemore of Kathleen Whittemore Photography.      Kathleen Whittmore Photography

Feeding each other cake is a tradition at weddings — feeding each other sauce after getting engaged should be, too.

Taken by Sara Rogers of Sara Rogers Photography.      Sara Rogers Photography

A Singapore couple celebrated their upcoming nuptials by flying a kite.

Taken by Amir Amran of The Honey Oaks.      The Honey Oaks

A rainy London day didn't stop this couple from celebrating.

Taken by Chris Grandy of Isle + Oak Photography.      Isle + Oak Photography

This couple in Kuala Lumpur didn't mind the rain, either.

Take by Jeremy Ong of Moments by Jeremy.      Moments by Jeremy

Florence's Duomo provides a classic backdrop.

Taken by Federico Antonio Cutuli of Studio Fotografico Bacci.      Studio Fotografico Bacci

This pair of fiancés was joined by a pair of deer in Nara, Japan.

Taken by Jackson Leong of Plan A Production.      Plan A Production

The seagulls in this photo taken in New Delhi, India, make it seem in motion.

Taken by Devansh Rangani of The Photo Lab.      The Photo Lab

Shadows create a compelling photo taken in Yokohama, Japan.

Taken by Bonjo Abadi of Terralogical.      Terralogical

Dramatic lighting was also key in this photo taken in Vienna.

Taken by Jennifer Grünauer of Jennifer Grünauer Photography.      Jennifer Grünauer Photography

Las Vegas isn't just for eloping — there are plenty of proposals happening there, too.

Taken by Jim Lee of Jim Lee Vision.      Jim Lee Vision

A pair of fiancées runs through a field in Colorado with their dog.

Taken by Brea Warren of Brea Warren Photo.      Brea Warren Photo

It's easy to miss this happy couple with this view of Los Angeles from Griffith Park.

Taken by Darren Hendry of The Hendrys.      The Hendrys

In this image taken in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, the couple looks straight out of the show "Yellowstone."

Taken by Navodita Kc of Navodita Kc Photography.      Navodita Kc Photography

The crowded streets of San Francisco are just as romantic as any national park, though.

Taken by Nayza Kuznetsova of Clouds Inside Photography.      Clouds Inside Photography

Reynisfjara, Iceland's black-sand beach, is a popular site for wedding photos, but it's also perfect for engagement photos.

Taken by Jane Iskra of ISKRA Photography.      ISKRA Photography

Guatemala's Santa Clara ruins also provide a dramatic location for photos.

Taken by Manuel Aldana.      Manuel Aldana

A couple reaches for the stars in Comox, Canada.

Taken by Kristen Cook of Freya Photography.      Freya Photography

These two only have eyes for each other in a crowded intersection in Tokyo.

Taken by Leonardus Aditya of Bare Odds.      Bare Odds

A couple in Bratislava looked giddy while taking their photos.

Taken by Andrej Horsky.      Andrej Horsky

A joyful photo taken in London gives us an up-close look at this happy couple.

Taken by Jasmine Andrews of Jasmine Andrews Photography.      Jasmine Andrews Photography

These two future brides in Hamburg are also overjoyed.

Taken by Michelle Fiedler of Weddings and Other Stories.      Weddings and Other Stories

Italy might be known for its pasta, but this bride-to-be prefers to take a bite out of her future husband.

Taken by Nico Vinx of The Ferros.      The Ferros

Australia's Anna Bay provided white sands and clear skies for this photo shoot.

Taken by Mikhael Andarias of Bare Odds.      Bare Odds

The lavender at Lake Ōhau in New Zealand adds a little magic to this photo.

Taken by Traci Edwards of Adventure and Vow.      Adventure and Vow

This intimate photo was taken in Positano, Italy.

Taken by Milly Baine of The Rose Reflective.      The Rose Reflective

Love is beautiful at any age, proven by this couple popping a bottle in Australia.

Taken by Nicola Bodle of Fox & Kin.      Fox & Kin

A couple in Berlin reaches for the light together.

Taken by Nina Twardowska-Lukasik of Nina & Darek.      Nina & Darek

No engagement shoot in Amsterdam would be complete without bicycles.

Taken by Pam Kornreich of Pam Jeanne Photography.      Pam Jeanne Photography

Drone photography made this dockside photo in Germany’s Lake Chiemsee possible.

Taken by Sebastian Schwemmer of Schwemmer Photography.      Schwemmer Photography

A bride-to-be wipes a tear from her fiancé’s cheek in Bali.

Taken by Tania Salim.      Tania Salim

This dramatic photo was taken by West Vancouver.

Mike Vallely, Shari + Mike Photographers, West Vancouver, BC      Shari + Mike Photographers

Is this a cover of a romance novel or an engagement photo? It's hard to tell.

Taken by Bridgitte Terence of inka.bali.      inka by bridgitterence