Weddings these days aren’t complete without a pre-nuptial shoot. The prenup shoot isn’t a new invention. In the olden days, these photos are called engagement pictures, which are used by the couple to announce their impending nuptials in the newspaper. These days, engagement photos are also used to accompany a wedding announcement but mostly on Facebook and Instagram.
There are other uses for pre-nuptial pictures. You can use these on your wedding website, misalettes, and throughout your reception venue as decoration. Plus, they make lovely mementos for your future kids. Another great use for a photo shoot is that you and your wedding photographer get to know each other better. He or she will be able to understand how you interact as a couple, for example, or find out which angles are best for you.
Now that you know what prenup shoots are for, where should you have them done? A photographer’s studio is easiest because all of the equipment needed are there and you’re immune to the weather’s fickle mood. The best place to have your prenup shoot done, however, is the one that reflects your personality as a couple or tells your love story best. Try to have your photo shoot done where you met or where you fell in love. If that proves to be impossible, then choose a place that you both love—your favorite restaurant is a good place to start. Here are some suggestions we have for you:
If you like street fashion photography, then just go out and start shooting on the street! You can choose Makati’s busy mood and wear something colorful to stand out against the sea of people in black and gray corporate suits. If you’re going for a nostalgic feel, dress up in a pretty dress made of piña and put your man in a barong then pose on the cobbled-stone streets of Intramuros.
If you and your fiancé are the playful type, then check out Star City in Pasay. You can also go out of town and visit Skye Ranch in Tagaytay. The photos will definitely be gorgeous because of all the colors and lights around you. Best of all, you are going to have so much fun!
Our big museums aren’t encouraging of photo shoots since precious art and exhibits may be damaged, plus your shoot may inconvenience other patrons. They’ll agree to hold a shoot but they’ll charge a prohibitive fee, which makes art lovers sad since our museums have wonderful architecture that will frame a couple beautifully. If you insist on museums, try Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo. You can shoot in its lush gardens, by the Mediterranean-inspired white buildings, or against the view of the city below.
Greenery is best for couples who love gardening, picnics, or are botanists. If your family, a relative, or a friend has a nice garden, then you’ve found a beautiful (and free!) setting for your prenup shoot. No garden in your part of the city? Try Hillcreek Gardens in Tagaytay. It’s not just vast and gorgeous, the hotel is posh—treat it as a fabulous getaway to get rid of pre-wedding jitters.
For the couple who loves style, luxury, and convenience, a hotel is the perfect location. You can choose the hotel you booked for your wedding (they might include it in the package). The five-star hotels in and around the city usually have gardens, swimming pools, and themed restaurants to fit your every mood. Plus, they know how to accommodate and attend to a bride-to-be’s every wish. Try ritzy Solaire Resort Manila, or the very Filipiniana Manila Hotel. The grand staircases of Sofitel Manila, Makati Shangri-La, and Manila Peninsula are classic backdrops for weddings, too.