While marriage is celebrated in a variety of ways across the globe, powerful, intimate moments are found at each and every wedding.

From the first kiss to the first dance, the groom to the guests, there are plenty of opportunities to capture the perfect photo.

The International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers, or ISPWP, selected the best photos taken at wedding ceremonies worldwide as part of its Wedding Photography Contest for Winter 2017. 

The winners within a range of categories, including First Dance and Wedding Dress, were chosen by a group of talented photographers.

From emotional family moments to stunning engagement photos taken in beautiful places, scroll down to see the 21 most incredible and intimate photos of weddings from around the world. 

1st Place: Emotional Impact — A photographer captures the incredible moment an Italian mother hugs her bride daughter.

1st Place: Reception — A wedding guest in Buenos Aires, Argentina, gets some relief from the heat.

1st Place: Kids Will Be Kids — Children make their own entertainment at a wedding in Ibiza, Spain.

The INSIDER Summary:

• Royal weddings are usually lavish affairs, sometimes lasting several days.
• Wedding dresses range from simple white garments to vibrant and intricate designs.
• Here's what 15 royal brides wore on their wedding day.

A royal wedding isn't just a union between two people and their families. It's a national (and sometimes international) affair that attracts throngs of well-wishers, close media attention, and high-profile guests all hoping to catch a glimpse of the happy couple.

Simple, white wedding dresses are traditional in some countries, perhaps with a bit of lace or beading to add to the design. Other royal brides celebrate with bright, festive colors, rich embroidery, and precious stones the size of eggs. 

Here's what 15 royal brides wore on their wedding day.

Princess Claire of Luxembourg wore a wedding gown by designer Elie Saab.

Princess Sofia of Sweden chose a lacy dress by Swedish designer Ida Sjöstedt.

Princess Charlene of Monaco's simple Armani gown was embellished with subtle embroidery.

The INSIDER Summary:

• Russian oligarch Aleksey Shapovalov married model Ksenia Tsaritsina in a lavish wedding.
• He gave her a 70-carat diamond ring worth around $10.5 million for their 5th anniversary.
• The wedding featured an eight-tier cake and performances by musicians and acrobats.

Russian oligarch Aleksey Shapovalov and model Ksenia Tsaritsina don't cut corners. To celebrate their fifth anniversary, Shapovalov presented her with a 70-carat diamond ring worth $10.5 million.

Their recent wedding was just as extravagant, featuring two wedding dresses, an eight-tier wedding cake, and performances by musicians and acrobats.

Here's what it was like to be one of the lucky guests.

Russian oligarch Aleksey Shapovalov has been calling model Ksenia Tsaritsina his wife for years.

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 The couple has two kids together.

He recently gifted her with a 70 carat diamond ring worth an estimated $10.5 million to celebrate five years together.

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 The previous ring had 30 carats.

The opulence of their wedding followed suit.

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 Scroll through for the full effect.

• Speculations over who will design Meghan Markle's wedding dress began soon after her engagement to Prince Harry was announced.
• Israeli designer Inbal Dror has sketched three designs, which were leaked on Tuesday.
• This isn't the first time Dror has designed couture for elite clients.
• In 2016, Beyonce wore a bespoke dress designed by Dror to the Grammys.

The world has been hit with a serious case of Royal Wedding Fever since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement at the end of November.

First, there was the endless speculation over where the couple would marry — which was later announced to be St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. 

Then it was the date, which was confirmed on Friday to be Saturday May 19, 2018.

Now, the public has moved on to guessing which label Markle will choose to design her wedding dress.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Israeli fashion designer Inbal Dror — whose dresses are shown in the Instagram post below — was asked by palace officials to provide some sketches of potential wedding dress designs for Markle last week.

When approched by Business Insider, a spokesperson for Inbal Dror declined to comment on whether Dror had been approached by the palace.

Nevertheless, the spokesperson did say: "We have been responding to an initiative of the Bridal Council to present the sketches [for Markle]."

As of this morning, the dress designs have been leaked via celebrity news site TMZ. A spokesperson for Inbal Dror then sent the designs to Business Insider a few hours later. See them below:

The three designs from Dror, each annotated with the phrase "for Meghan Markle, with love," all feature tight bodices, high-neck collars, long sleeves, lace accents, and flowing skirts — which could be insights into the type of dress Markle is looking for.

British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tillman told the Daily Mail that he wouldn't be surprised if Markle and the royal family chose an international designer to craft the bride's gown — especially in light of the fact that Markle isn't British herself.

"We need to be embracing international business," said Tillman. "If we get ourselves into, 'She's marrying a British royal so she has to wear British' then we're isolating ourselves."

Dror's trademark styles tend to feature elegant fabrics, tight bodices, and plunging necklines. Her dresses typically tend to sell for between $8,000 and $10,000 (£6,000 and £7,500), although it's difficult to estimate how much a bespoke bridal gown for the royal wedding would cost.

This wouldn't be the first time that Dror has provided a bespoke dress for an A-Lister client. In 2016, Beyoncé wore a bespoke Inbal Dror gown — shown above — to the Grammy Awards.

The dress also featured long sleeves, white lace accents, a high collar, and flowing skirt — much like Dror's designs for Markle.

SEE ALSO: The most iconic image from 26 royal weddings throughout modern British history

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Whether you're already married, planning a wedding, or have simply attended too many to count, you'll know that a wedding day comes with a mix of emotions, from stress to sadness to utter joy.

Weddings also differ depending on where in the world they're taking place.

In order to "promote and celebrate the art of wedding photography from around the globe," the International Wedding Photographer of the Year (IWP) Awards have released their list of the best wedding photos from 2017.

Professional wedding photographers from around the world entered their best snaps from real weddings days into one of 9 categories — Single Capture, From Above, Black & White, Epic Location, Solo Portrait, Dance Floor, Bridal Party, Album, and Couple Portrait.

Each image was scored by six judges. The scores were then averaged out to determine winners and runners-up within each category, as well as The International Wedding Photographer of the Year — who received $3,000 and a range of camera equipment — and Runner Up.

Scroll down to see a selection of the 26 most beautiful and intimate award-winning photos which show the reality behind weddings around the world.

SEE ALSO: 21 beautifully intimate, award-winning photos from weddings around the world

Grand Prize Winner & Category Winner, Solo Portrait: Erica Mann captured a bride with a double rainbow after a storm along the banks of Cougar Creek in Canmore, Alberta, Canada.

Runner Up & Category Winner, Single Capture: Photographer Paul Woo said he was 'secretly bawling behind the camera' as the son of the bride expressed his emotion seeing his mother come down the aisle.

Category Winner, Black & White: The bittersweet father-daughter dance was captured perfectly in this shot by Bruno Sauma at a wedding in Massachusetts, USA.

• Meghan Markle's wedding dress remains a mystery, but plenty of rumors are swirling.
• Some rumors have included the possibility of Markle paying homage to Princess Diana with her wedding attire. 
• Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are getting married on May 19, 2018.

Meghan Markle's wedding dress remains a mystery.

Markle is expected to wear a traditional gown with a unique detail for the royal wedding on May 19.

Rumors around which designer she'll choose and how much money it will cost are swirling — including the rumor that it might include pieces of Princess Diana's 1981 wedding dress that was worn during her ceremony.

The list of potential designers for her wedding dress include Markle's friend and designer Roland Mouret — whose line of wedding dresses includes seemingly simple designs with structured lines. Israeli designer Inbal Dror has also been speculated. Dror's 2018 collection incorporates more lace, sheer fabric, and gems than Mouret's. Rumors of Burberry's Christopher Bailey designing the royal wedding dress have also been discussed.

Markle may very well wear two wedding dresses— changing into something slightly more casual after the ceremony. This move would echo Kate Middleton's dress change during her wedding in April 2011.

Rumors have also been flying that, like Markle's engagment ring— which includes two stones from Princess Diana's collection — Markle's dress or floral bouq might reference Princess Diana.

Below, take a look back at Princess Diana's wedding dress.  

SEE ALSO: Meghan Markle is taking fashion risks and dressing like no royal before her

DON'T MISS: What the average wedding budget looks like in America, from the engagement ring to the wedding dress to the venue

Princess Diana's wedding dress was designed by husband-and-wife team David and Elizabeth Emanuel. The gown had sequins, lace, and 10,000 pearls.

Source: Town and Country

The value of the Princess Diana's wedding dress was estimated at $115,000.

Designs of the dress were kept under wraps and only revealed on the day of the wedding.

• Ralph & Russo's wedding gowns have reportedly caught the eye of Meghan Markle, who is rumored to have chosen the designer for her wedding dress.
• Ralph & Russo also designed Markle's engagement dress, and their designs have been worn by various celebrities such as Beyonce, Angelina Jolie, and Lupita Nyong'o. 
• Meghan Markle's wedding gown is expected to cost roughly $135,584 (£100,000), according to sources who spoke to the Daily Mail.

Speculation is swirling on which wedding gown designer Meghan Markle will wear on her wedding day, along with how much it will ultimately cost, and who will pay for it.

In the running are designers Roland Mouret, Inbal Dror, and Burberry's Christopher Bailey. However, last weekend  the Daily Mail reported that Markle's wedding gown will be created by Ralph & Russo— the designer behind the gown she wore during her engagement photos with Prince Harry. 

Launched just 10 years ago in London, the Ralph & Russo line is run by Australian couple Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo. In the past 10 years the brand has grown internationally, and the designs have been worn by high-profile clients such as Beyonce, Princess Ameerah al-Taweel of Saudi Arabia, Angelina Jolie, Lupita Nyong'o, and Bella Hadid.

Below a look at stunning Ralph & Russo wedding gowns that might hint at what Markle's wedding gown could be.

SEE ALSO: There's a good chance Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will honeymoon in Namibia — here's what their itinerary could look like, including a moonlit dinner and hot air balloon ride

Worn by Camila Figueiredo Coelho, this Ralph & Russo wedding gown is a part of their summer 2018 line.

Model Shanina Shaik recently wore a Ralph & Russo wedding gown at her wedding.

This wedding gown is a part of the autumn and winter 2017/2018 Ralph & Russo couture collection.

A bride who never got to walk down the aisle is selling her brand new wedding dress on eBay.

As if that wasn't depressing enough, the ad itself is written from the perspective of the gown.

The bride, who goes by the handle "IJustHeardTheShopBellRing" on eBay, is from the UK, and tells Metro her slated city hall wedding in Manhattan fell apart just hours before she was going to say "I do" when she and her then-fiance decided to end the relationship.

"Rejected wedding dress seeks lasting love and holy matrimony," the listing reads.

The item's description reads:

I was supposed to be worn at City Hall in New York.

I was going to be the main attraction of a 60s wedding theme.

I was going to be low-key, but elegant (I still am, for that matter).

I was going to complement a 60s updo, nude courts and a bouquet of Lily of the Valley.

When my owner put on a dress just like me in Selfridges, she knew I was the one so she ordered me online and had me delivered to her husband-to-be in Brooklyn.

I'm not over the top, nor am I too dressed down, and she thought she could perhaps wear me to other occasions in the future.

She thought I was a dress she could look back on and smile, not cringe at fashion faux pas (she was right).

When I arrived, she kept me sealed in my box so nothing could ruin me.

Then they split up.

And she kept me in the box.

Because she couldn't bear to look at me.

I am a constant reminder to her of what could have been.

So she wants to sell me.

Not necessarily to a bride, but to anyone looking to give me the home I deserve.

A home where I'll get worn and admired and dry-cleaned (as and when necessary).

She can't take me back to DVF because they no longer stock me.

I'm limited edition, if you like.

And the first time I have been taken out of my box is for these photos.

Because who's going to buy a dress based on a picture of a box?

I can't wait to be worn by you (and to see the back of my cardboard confines once and for all).

Love,
Zarita (in Ivory).
xx

Here's a photo of the dress included in the listing:

The ivory lace number from Diane von Furstenberg is long-sleeved and is "a brand-new, unused, unworn and undamaged item in the original packaging (such as the original box or bag) and/or with the original tags attached" but comes with an invisible accessory — the saddest history ever.

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Britain's wedding industry is worth an estimated £10 billion ($15.9 billion) – so it comes as no surprise that some of the country's richest women fork out thousands for the dress alone.

Research from the popular wedding website hitched.co.uk estimates that the average Briton spends £36,000 ($57,181) on their wedding and £913 ($1,450) on a dress.

On the other end of the scale, Business Insider's recent interview with luxury wedding planner Sarah Haywood revealed that the wealthiest are spending around £1 million ($1.6 billion) for their big day and in some cases a lot more than that.

With this in mind, we looked at some of the most expensive wedding dresses to either be worn by or made by a British person, or to be walked down the aisle in the UK. 

Check out who made the list below.

8. Madonna's £50,400 ($80,000) dress – the Stella McCartney gown was made of ivory coloured silk. She accompanied it with a 37 carat diamond cross necklace when she married Guy Ritchie in Scotland in 2000.

7. Victoria Beckham's £63,000 ($100,000) dress – the Vera Wang structured ball gown was for her wedding to footballer David Beckham in 1999. She said in an interview with Stylist magazine that it's still in her closet, in the hope her daughter Harper would like to wear it one day.

6. Petra Ecclestone's £80,000 dress – the daughter of British F1 billionaire Bernie Ecclestone got her strapless gown designed by Vera Wang and accompanied it with a veil and tiara for her marriage to mining and gaming tycoon James Stunt in 2011.

After news broke of actress Jennifer Aniston's wedding to actor Justin Theroux, thousands of people online began sharing a photo of who they thought was Aniston, standing in a beautiful gown with her back facing the camera.

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One thing about fashion — it's always changing. And that's especially true when it comes to wedding dresses. From the long white gloves that were popular in 1915 to the puffy-sleeved frocks of the 1980s, this video from Reuters shows the transition white gowns have made over 100 years.

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The American wedding dress has become more and more revealing over the past few decades — some brides are even getting married in crop tops. And at this year’s Bridal Fashion Week in New York City, the trend toward bare skin went one step further with designers showing sheer wedding dresses.

Even big names like Vera Wang included dresses in their collection that exposed nearly everything.

“It’s more about the body now,” Vera Wang told the AP. “What we’re trying to do more is really capture a certain sense of intimacy in body language.”

The dresses are similar to styles worn by Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyonce at recent red carpet events. Perfectly placed sequins and lace keep the wearer from getting a public nudity summons, and brides can always add a stole or shawl to cover up if they want.

Keep scrolling to see the sheer wedding dresses that were a part of this fall’s 2016 bridal week since, unless you know some especially daring brides, you might never see one in a real-life ceremony.

Vera Wang's 2016 look book was filled with sheer designs.

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Many of them left little to the imagination.

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Carefully placed embellishments and feathers kept the gowns from looking too risqué.

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Fashion companies showed off their fall 2016 bridal collections this month — and they’re sexier than usual.

Weddings are usually a family affair, but designers are going for a seductive look, with styles that give the illusion of bare skin and lacy designs over nude fabrics. These looks are inspired by the red carpet, rather than the chapel.

Story by Jacob Shamsian and editing by Ben Nigh. 

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Brides on every continent know that it's all about the wedding dress.

In many countries, a bridal gown is a manifestation of a couple's heritage. The color, shape, and detail are designed in keeping with their customs and religious beliefs. In Turkey, the bride dons a red "maidenhood" belt for luck, and in Eritrea she accessorizes with a dark-colored velvet crown and purple and gold robe. Of course, no two brides are alike, and traditions may vary by region.

Let's take a look at how wedding dresses are worn around the world:

Before a Turkish bride leaves her father's home for the wedding ceremony, a brother or uncle ties a red maidenhood belt around her waist. The color signifies luck, sexuality, and happiness.

Sources: Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Today's Zaman

At a wedding in Ribnovo, Bulgaria, the bride gets her face painted white and decorated with colorful sequins by her female in-laws. The custom dates back centuries and is a highlight of the two-day ceremony.

Sources: Reuters and The Guardian

The Sri Lankan bride blends Eastern and Western traditions, donning heavily embroidered silk saris and European-looking veils. Her jewelry should include an uneven number of gemstones, as odd numbers are deemed auspicious.

Source: The Big Fat Indian Wedding

A 25-year-old bride who was getting her hair done near the site of a deadly crane collapse in lower Manhattan got a helping hand from an FDNY chaplain.

Story by Jacob Shamsian and editing by Kristen Griffin

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Russian billionaire Mikhael Gutseriev's son Said recently got married. It's one of the most lavish weddings we've ever seen, and included appearances from stars like Jennifer Lopez and Sting.

Story by Ian Phillips and editing by Carl Mueller

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This Game of Thrones wedding was so accurate it even had its own direwolf. It turned out much better than the typical Westerosi wedding. 

Photography: Katherine Elena Photography

Videography: Dorn-Long Films

Venue: Smithmore Castle | Planners: Something Perfect and Events by Elizabeth Ashley | Dress designer: RCB Fashion | Hairstylist: Mirror Bomb Studio | Makeup Artist: Lauren Nicole Cirillo | Invitation suite: Writing On Hearts |  Flowers: Fuschia Moss Floral Design  | Wolf dog: Full Moon Farm Wolfdog Sanctuary | Models: Austen Taylor Mauney, Courtney Edelman, Max DiNatale | Cake: Celestial Cakery

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While marriage is celebrated in a variety of ways across the globe, powerful, intimate moments are found at each and every wedding.

From the first kiss to the first dance, the groom to the guests, there are plenty of opportunities to capture the perfect photo.

The International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers, or ISPWP, selected the best photos taken at wedding ceremonies worldwide as part of its Wedding Photography Contest for Winter 2017. 

The winners within a range of categories, including First Dance and Wedding Dress, were chosen by a group of talented photographers.

From emotional family moments to stunning engagement photos taken in beautiful places, scroll down to see the 21 most incredible and intimate photos of weddings from around the world. 

1st Place: Emotional Impact — A photographer captures the incredible moment an Italian mother hugs her bride daughter.

1st Place: Reception — A wedding guest in Buenos Aires, Argentina, gets some relief from the heat.

1st Place: Kids Will Be Kids — Children make their own entertainment at a wedding in Ibiza, Spain.

The INSIDER Summary:

• Royal weddings are usually lavish affairs, sometimes lasting several days.
• Wedding dresses range from simple white garments to vibrant and intricate designs.
• Here's what 15 royal brides wore on their wedding day.

A royal wedding isn't just a union between two people and their families. It's a national (and sometimes international) affair that attracts throngs of well-wishers, close media attention, and high-profile guests all hoping to catch a glimpse of the happy couple.

Simple, white wedding dresses are traditional in some countries, perhaps with a bit of lace or beading to add to the design. Other royal brides celebrate with bright, festive colors, rich embroidery, and precious stones the size of eggs. 

Here's what 15 royal brides wore on their wedding day.

Princess Claire of Luxembourg wore a wedding gown by designer Elie Saab.

Princess Sofia of Sweden chose a lacy dress by Swedish designer Ida Sjöstedt.

Princess Charlene of Monaco's simple Armani gown was embellished with subtle embroidery.

The INSIDER Summary:

• Russian oligarch Aleksey Shapovalov married model Ksenia Tsaritsina in a lavish wedding.
• He gave her a 70-carat diamond ring worth around $10.5 million for their 5th anniversary.
• The wedding featured an eight-tier cake and performances by musicians and acrobats.

Russian oligarch Aleksey Shapovalov and model Ksenia Tsaritsina don't cut corners. To celebrate their fifth anniversary, Shapovalov presented her with a 70-carat diamond ring worth $10.5 million.

Their recent wedding was just as extravagant, featuring two wedding dresses, an eight-tier wedding cake, and performances by musicians and acrobats.

Here's what it was like to be one of the lucky guests.

Russian oligarch Aleksey Shapovalov has been calling model Ksenia Tsaritsina his wife for years.

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 The couple has two kids together.

He recently gifted her with a 70 carat diamond ring worth an estimated $10.5 million to celebrate five years together.

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 The previous ring had 30 carats.

The opulence of their wedding followed suit.

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 Scroll through for the full effect.