Wedding

Jasmine Tai In Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits

Unique Pre-wedding Photoshoot Locations

As the word “unique” implies, unique pre-wedding photoshoot locations may be very different for each couple. For some, it’s the first place they met. For others, it’s the place where they fell in love. For some, it may be a common area. For others, it may carry a significant meaning that the couple will treasure forever. Here are some unique pre-wedding photoshoot locations that you may or may not have thought of:

The Chateau Spa & Wellness Resort

This resort is nestled amidst a lush tropical rainforest and inspired by an 18th century “Haut Koenigsbourg” castle in Alsace, France. This location is great for those European vibes couples would like to capture in their photos, without having to leave the country! Additionally, The Chateau Spa & Wellness Resort is located on unspoiled land and 3,000 feet above sea level, therefore it is very cool and you will be comfortable in your wedding gown or suit. We did a pre-wedding photoshoot for a newly engaged couple at this location recently and we are absolutely loving the vibes that the photos carry.

National Mosque

For Muslim couples, a mosque can hold deep cultural and religious significance. The mosque provides a beautiful backdrop for unforgettable wedding ceremonies. Taking photos at a mosque may reflect their commitment to their faith and the importance of spirituality in their relationship. Its unique modern design displays a contemporary expression of traditional Islamic ornamentation and art calligraphy.

River of Life

Some couples also like to choose a location where they first met, or a place where a momentous event happened, like a marriage proposal. While most people go to Japan for their pre-wedding photoshoot, this Japanese couple, Atsushi & Kumiko decided to have their photoshoot in the heart of Kuala Lumpur instead! The square’s vibrant urban setting offers a different kind of aesthetic compared to natural or private locations. It can highlight the couple’s love for the city and its dynamic energy.

Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat

A hotspring retreat offers a secluded and private environment, which allows couples to capture intimate and personal moments without the usual distractions of more crowded or public locations. More genuine and emotive photographs can be captured when the couple is calm and relaxed. Set against limestone hills, this location can be a reflection of a couple’s love for nature and the adventure they are about to embark on.

Genting Skyworlds Theme Park

Theme parks provide a distinctive backdrop compared to more traditional photo locations. The colorful and dynamic environment can make for memorable and visually striking photos, especially when the couple has fond memories of visiting them together. Couples can opt for a wedding gown and suit which can be an interesting contrast in a theme park. Or they can wear a more casual outfit that brings out the fun they are having in the theme park, as well as the life they are about to share with each other.

Construction Sites

Some couples might have personal or professional connections to construction or architecture. If one or both partners work in the field or have a particular interest in it, it can be a meaningful choice for their photos. The raw and unfinished look of a construction site may symbolize growth and new beginnings, just like their journey together. It adds a modern vibe to their photos, showcasing their uniqueness as an individual and their strength as a married couple.

Peranakan Association of Melaka

Associations like these often have beautiful, historic, or artistic backdrops that can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to pre-wedding photos. The intricate details and classic ambiance create a timeless atmosphere especially when the couple is of that particular heritage. We took these photos of Noel and Celine in their Baba & Nyonya wedding outfits, after being dressed by Cedric, a sixth generation Malaccan Baba.

Random Back Lanes

Choosing a random back lane allows for creative freedom and non-traditional photo compositions. The contrast between the raw, unpolished surroundings and the couple’s attire can make for visually compelling and memorable images. The less polished environment can symbolize the journey of a marriage —embracing the beauty in the imperfections.

We hope these locations inspire you to get out of your usual impression that pre-wedding photo shoots can only be done at nicely polished and fancy locations such as the Twin Towers. These ideas can also be an inspiration for your next photo shoot, whether it is for you and your spouse, or even your extended family. The possibilities are endless!

If you’d like us to capture your pre-wedding session through photos or videos, please drop us a message. Or if you need more convincing on “Why You Should Have a Pre-wedding Photoshoot”, you can read more here.

Jasmine Tai In Outdoor Weddings, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits, Wedding Films & Videos

Joshua and Mabel’s Pre-Wedding at Bamboo Hills

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:

Jasmine Tai In Chinese Weddings, Weddings

The History and Significance of “Kua” in Chinese Weddings

The traditional Chinese wedding garment “Kua” has been rather popular among young couples these days. Here is some information about this traditional garment – the significance and the meaning of this timeless and elegant garment for brides.

The traditional Chinese wedding ceremonial garb is known as the Qun Kua (裙褂). Unlike the white bridal gown, which follows fashion trends, the Chinese Qun Kua is timeless. This is because white bridal gown’s design changes over time, based on the current fashion styles and trends, while the Qun Kua remains pretty much the same over the years, since it was first introduced in the 1950s.

These days, the term “Kua” is being used to refer to the garb as an entire garment. However, the “Qun” actually refers to the skirt, which is the bottom piece, and the “Kua” refers to the top piece, known as the jacket. The top piece is a zipped jacket and the sleeves are three quarter lengths in order to display the gold bangles and bracelets that would traditionally be gifted to the bride by her family and in-laws. The bottom piece is a straight-cut long skirt in loose fit. The skirt symbolizes fertility because it is open and signals that children will issue forth, which is why trousers can never be worn to replace the skirt.

In Chinese culture, it is common to see the combination of dragon and phoenix. This combination signifies the perfect union (Yin and Yang 阴阳) between masculinity (symbolized by the dragon) and feminine beauty (symbolized by the phoenix). Other auspicious motifs like bats, clouds, goldfish, ducks and peonies are some of the commonly seen symbols on the Qun Kua. There is a certain way as to how the symbols are placed. Since bats are airborne they must appear higher up in the design composition; while goldfish, a symbol of abundance, swims in water so it goes near the bottom.

Generally, the base color of the Qun Kua is bright red which symbolizes prosperity. The intricate, auspicious motifs are then embroidered with gold and silver threads by hand of a skilled sifu or master. This is one of the main reasons why Qun Kua is very expensive and it takes anywhere between a few months up to a whole year to complete one set of Qun Kua.

The common misconception is the Qun Kua is similar with the QiPao (旗袍), known also as Cheongsam. Only a bride can wear the two-piece Qun Kua during a wedding whilst the Qipao is a figure hugging one-piece that can be worn anytime. The designs of the Qipao can be unconventional with different colors and patterns but the designs on the Qun Kua are unalterable. Due to this, more modern brides are more inclined to the Qun Kua due to its symbolism and rich heritage. They do this as a tribute to their Chinese culture. Since the Qun Kua has such a significance, many brides wear it during the Chinese Tea ceremony. The skirt is designed to be loose which makes it more convenient to kneel down and get back up during the tea ceremony. The shape and cutting of the Qun Kua is more forgiving and fits most body shapes and sizes well.

The traditional Qun Kua may include “children and grandchildren belts,” vertical brocade pieces sewn at the front of the dress which was believed to bring offspring to the new couple. Although many modern designs opt out of this feature, its inclusion can deepen the connection to the cultural heritage and familial aspirations. If the bride were to embrace the full tradition, it is essential to wear a red silk undergarment. This will envelop the bride in auspiciousness from the inside out, enhancing the ceremonial importance of the Qun Kua.

Having the bride’s mother help her get dressed into the Qun Kua is a beautiful tradition still observed nowadays — the mother is said to pass down her luck to her daughter. There are so many symbols, traditions and heritage that one wedding outfit can carry. We hope this article helps you see and appreciate the beauty of this timeless and elegant traditional Chinese wedding garment.

Bin Bin Tan In Musings, Portraits, Pre-Wedding & Engagement Portraits, Tips + Ideas, Wedding Films & Videos

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.

Suzyana Ong In Chinese Weddings, Parties & Events, Wedding Films & Videos, Weddings

Wedding at The Majestic Hotel: Adrian & Tracy

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 :)