Every glance, every smile tells our love story in poetry. We’re so excited for Joshua and Mabel, the beautiful couple who won the “Poetry of Love” pre-wedding photography contest! As a couple, Joshua and Mabel radiate joy and love, and their excitement to get married was beautifully captured on photos and in video. This contest organized by AWP Malaysia and our photography and videography team from Stories made it happen, in collaboration with the following vendors:
Venue: Astana at Bamboo Hills
Decor & flowers: Love & Love Weddings and Events
360 Photobooth: Tagbooth Photobooth
Groom’s Suit: Vestio Bespoke
Wedding Gown: Armadale Weddings
Hairstyling & Makeup: Michelle Touche
Bridal Shoes: Momentshoes
Wedding Cake: Ariana Raisya Sugar Art
Wedding Stationery: Acadia Card
Media sponsor: Bridepay
We would once again like to thank each and everyone of our amazing partners who made this contest possible!
Have a look at their pre-wedding video here:
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.
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!
The Majestic Hotel’s orchid conservatory is one of the most beautiful indoor spaces in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia! Imagine being surrounded by hundreds of orchids! As orchids require a certain cooling temperature to blossom, you and your guests can enjoy the fresh and cooling breeze as well. Adrian & Tracy didn’t want a huge glamorous wedding with hundreds of guests so the orchid room was perfect for them. We absolutely love how the photos turn out! Orchids seen in every photo :)
I first met Azran Osman-Rani at an ICF coaching event. He struck me immediately as down to earth, casual, approachable, the kind of person you forget is a CEO within five minutes of talking to him. Months later I had the pleasure of getting to know him better when I invited him to speak at one of the ICF events I organized for International Coaching Week. So when the invitation came to photograph his akad nikah, I felt genuinely privileged. It was not just another wedding. It was a chance to witness something quieter and more personal than the version of Azran most people know.
That quieter side runs through his whole story with Patricia. They found each other on LinkedIn, of all places, through a discussion post about branding and marketing. Their first date was at La Bodega, where they ended up talking about climate change. From there it grew into something built on shared instincts: a love for cities like San Francisco, Sydney and Seoul, and an equal pull toward nature, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Bali. Somewhere in that balance, in a convertible on the Pacific Coast Highway or on a trail in the Himalayas, two people who present very differently to the world found a rhythm that works entirely their own way.
Their akad nikah reflected that same spirit. Held at the home of Azran’s sister Azleen, who poured her own vision into every detail, the setting carried a whimsical mossy green forest theme. Elegant yet informal. Classy yet relaxed. Surrounded only by family and close friends, it felt warm, personal and intimate. Thank you for giving me this privilege of being part of your special day, Azran and Patricia!