Everything you need to know about pre wedding photography plus our favourite Melbourne photoshoot locations
Let’s clear the air – pre wedding photography is so much more than a well-timed engagement photoshoot. It’s a style of photography that allows you to embellish your entire love story.
As a Melbourne-based husband and wife photographer/videographer team we see firsthand the nostalgia caught up in all of the in-between moments. There is plenty of wonder, intimacy and detail to be found beyond walking down the aisle.
And when we reflect on our own wedding, we wish we captured more. Our engagement session and snippets of camcorder footage in the lead up has never quite felt like enough. Which is why this article sits so near and dear to our hearts.
Being a pre wedding photographer isn’t just snapping some pretty engagement ring pictures, it’s about documenting the before, during and after of your love story in as much authentic detail as possible.
What is pre wedding photography?
A pre wedding photographer can capture all of the unfiltered emotional connection at many important milestones before your wedding day. This may include your:
- Engagement session
- Engagement party
- Bridal shower
- Bachelorette party
- Traditional tea ceremony
- Welcome drinks event, lunch or dinner
- Rehearsal Dinner
The beauty of booking a pre wedding photographer is that there are no rules. Just like weddings, what is sentimental to you, may be an afterthought for someone else. However, if you’ve gone to the effort of planning and organising one (or more) of these special gatherings, it intrinsically becomes a part of your pre wedding story.
The people you’ve invited to attend, the venue you’ve chosen and the outfit, decorations, food and meaningful touches you pour into what happens before saying ‘I Do’ – will offer its own unique flow of emotions and memories. Even one hour of coverage with a pre wedding photographer will offer a nostalgic glimpse into who you are as a couple in that moment.
And if you’re unsure what kind of pre wedding photography will tell your story meaningfully – we’re always here to help, offer advice and tailor a Collection of memories to suit you as a couple.
5 more things to love about pre wedding photography
1. Adorn wedding invites, favours, websites and more with meaningful memories
Here at Redbook Studios, all of our pre wedding photography Collections offer a preview gallery of your images within a week. This means you’ll have a collection of nostalgic captures to adorn invites, save-the-dates, your wedding website and personalised thank yous.
2. Find your rhythm and confidence with a pre wedding photographer
Meeting with your photographer before your wedding is one thing, but truly feeling comfortable, confident and at ease with them is another. Pre wedding photography can settle your nerves, give us an opportunity to gently prompt and refine the storytelling and together we can find a rhythm for capturing the meaningful moments.
3. Master the art of embracing (or ignoring!) the camera
We believe authenticity means more than perfectly posed polaroids – but even candid storytelling can bring up nerves. And that’s down to the camera we’re holding. While we are told time and time again that we blend into the background – pre wedding photography gives you the opportunity to practice melting into the moment, turning your attention to the friends, family and loved ones in front of you, ignoring the lens and allowing the event to unfold naturally.
4. See how your hair and makeup is going to photograph
Lining up your hair and makeup trial with a pre wedding event is a practical way to make the most of feeling beautiful. For example, if you envision an dappled afternoon garden ceremony, we recommend booking your pre wedding photographer for an outdoor afternoon engagement party – this way you’ll get to see how true-to-life everything photographs, while making some really special memories.
5. Step away from the stress, lean into one another and build excitement for your big day
Wedding planning is synonymous with stress. As you count down the weeks, pressure builds and it’s easy to get lost in the practicalities of chasing perfection. Booking a pre wedding photographer is an intentional way to slow down and enjoy the romance of falling in love and planning a future together.
Locations for Pre Wedding Photo Melbourne
This wouldn’t be written by Redbook without us recommending some of our favourite locations for pre wedding photos Melbourne. From the National Gallery of Victoria to the tranquil RJ Hamer Arboretum – here’s some location inspiration. Just remember that the magic is in the meaning: follow what’s sentimental for you as a couple.
