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Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

Why should we keep tradition alive in weddings?

We may or may not have realized, but traditions are a huge part of our daily lives. From wearing traditional clothing like “Baju Kurung” or “Baju Melayu”, to giving money packets or known as “ang pao” during occasions other than Chinese New Year for example during birthdays or weddings.  Keeping tradition alive in weddings, especially in a diverse and culturally rich country like Malaysia, has several significant benefits: 

Cultural Identity

Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures, including Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous traditions. Maintaining wedding traditions helps preserve these unique cultural identities and ensures that they continue to be part of the nation’s heritage.

Family Connection

Traditional wedding practices often involve family members in meaningful roles, strengthening family bonds and connections. For instance, traditional Malay weddings include rituals that honor both the bride’s and groom’s families, fostering a sense of unity and respect. 

Cultural Education

Weddings are a great opportunity to educate younger generations about their heritage. By participating in traditional customs, younger Malaysians learn about the significance of these practices and the stories behind them.

Respect for Ancestors

Many traditional wedding customs are rooted in honoring ancestors and paying respect to those who came before us. This respect is a way of acknowledging the wisdom and values passed down through generations.

Unique Celebration

Traditions can add a distinctive and personal touch to weddings. Malaysian wedding traditions, such as the vibrant Chinese lion dance, the colorful Indian mehndi ceremony, or the elegant Malay bersanding, provide a unique and memorable experience that sets each wedding apart.

Community and Social Cohesion

Traditional weddings often involve the wider community and foster a sense of social cohesion. They can serve as occasions for gathering friends, family, and neighbors, strengthening community ties and creating shared memories.

Spiritual Significance

Many traditional wedding rituals have spiritual or religious significance. For example, the Hindu saat phere (seven steps around the sacred fire) or the Islamic akad nikah (marriage contract) carry deep religious meanings that underscore the sanctity of marriage.

By keeping these traditions alive, Malaysians can honor their past, celebrate their cultural diversity, and create weddings that are both meaningful and memorable. If you’d like us to capture your Malaysian heritage through photos or videos, please drop us a message!

Why You Should Have a Pre-wedding Photoshoot

It’s a bit ironic that I’m writing this article because I didn’t have a pre-wedding shoot. With the benefit of hindsight, I do wish I had more information on the matter and had given the decision more thought. So if you are like me and on the fence of whether you wish to have a pre-wedding shoot, here are 5 reasons to help you decide.

1. Allows you to have more time on your wedding day 

You may wonder about the point of a pre-wedding shoot given that you will be having photographs at your wedding day happening in just a few months time. A wedding can be a very demanding and stressful affair. While we will definitely set aside some time to take some couple portraits for you on your actual wedding day, between the ceremony, family photo sessions and guest arrivals, you might not have as much time available to dedicate to your own photos. If you had pre-wedding photos taken, you could relax knowing that couple photos are the last thing on your mind during this already hectic day. Instead, you could spend the day fully immersed in celebrations, enjoying your meal and spending quality time with loved ones. 

2. Wedding day trial run 

You want your wedding photos to showcase you at your best while still having you be relaxed and natural.  Pre-wedding portraits will allow you some time to get used to being in front of the camera. You can practice your poses and reviewing your photos can also help you prepare better for the big day. You can even use your pre-wedding session to test hair and makeup. Knowing ahead of time what suits you best will allow you to feel more at ease on your wedding day. 

3. Get to know your photographer 

A pre-wedding session is also a great opportunity to get to know your wedding photographer better and get familiar with how they interact and collaborate with you. Additionally, it helps the photographer learn more about you two as a couple. For instance, are you both naturally tactile? Do you prefer more direction in posing? Having this opportunity to know one another and develop a bond can make you feel more comfortable around your photographer and confident that the photographer will be able to deliver you at your best. 

4. Variety of locations and styles 

On your wedding day, time constraints and logistics can limit photo opportunities. A pre-wedding photoshoot on the other hand, offers more flexibility and you have options to choose for diverse locations and as well as outfits. For example, you may like to take pictures at sunrise or sunset, this can’t be controlled (as much) on your wedding day but it can be planned for during a pre-wedding session. 

A pre-wedding photoshoot can also allow you to be as creative as you want. We have even photographed a pre-wedding session in a grocery store! Maybe you want a casual photoshoot or maybe you want to go glamorous with multiple wedding gowns in different styles. It’s a once in a lifetime occasion, so go all out! 

5. Tell Your Love Story 

A wedding (especially in Asia) can sometimes be a bit of an extended family event. A lot of the wedding planning revolves around creating a great experience for your guests. On the other hand, your pre-wedding session will be exclusively to celebrate you as a couple. You can use this photoshoot to tell your unique love story – perhaps engage in an activity you both enjoy or choose a location that is meaningful to the both of you. You can even take it one step further by adding on a pre-wedding video. A video will really capture all the emotions in the lead up to the big day and will be something you watch and reminisce on in the future. 

So there you have it! I hope this list has helped open your mind to the benefits of a pre-wedding session. A bonus from doing the pre-wedding shoot is of course the beautiful, professional pictures that you can use for your save-the-date announcement or to decorate the reception. 

If this article has convinced you to have your own pre-wedding shoot, get in touch with us! Do also check out our current promotion with That White Dress for gown rentals starting from as low as RM650. 

Gary and Beverley’s Pre-Wedding at the Chateau

We’re so excited for Gary and Beverley, the beautiful couple who won our ‘An Enchanting Pre-Wedding Giveaway!’ As a couple, Gary and Beverley radiate joy and love, and their heartfelt story was beautifully captured on photos and in video. This giveaway was made possible by our photography and videography team from Stories, in collaboration with the following vendors:

Venue: The Chateau Spa and Wellness Resort, Bukit Tinggi
Florist: Nook Flowers
Wedding Gown: That White Dress
Groom’s Suit: Men’s Suit Malaysia
Makeup and Hair: My Cherry Style

We would once again like to thank each and everyone of our amazing partners who made this giveaway possible!

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Noel & Celine – Peranakan Wedding Shoot in Melaka

This bridal photo session was organised as a styled shoot by the Association of Wedding Professionals (AWP). It was meaningful for me, because Melaka is my hometown, and I even took my own bridal portraits at the Persatuan Peranakan Cina Melaka 17 years ago. The Peranakan culture is slowly dying, so this is my tribute towards preserving heritage and encouraging couples to go back to their roots for their bridal portraits. It would be even more meaningful if couples could consider taking portraits at their family or ancestral home. Contact us if you’d like to book a portrait session!


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Pre-Wedding at Resorts World Genting – Atif & Irene

Who would’ve thought you can have your pre-wedding shoot at Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park and Resorts World Awana? Now you can! As Resorts World Genting’s pre-wedding photography and videography partner, we have made special arrangements for you to have exclusive access to these places from now until 30th June 2023. Each booking comes with a 1 night stay so that you can make the most of your time there.

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