Short answer? No.
Long answer? No, but also yes, because this is Singapore and somehow we’ve made pre-wedding photoshoots feel as necessary as air-conditioning, bubble tea and complaining about MRT breakdowns.
Let me explain.
So… What Even Is a Pre-Wedding Shoot?
If you’re new to the wedding circus, welcome. A pre-wedding shoot is basically when you and your fiancé dress up like you’ve just walked off a K-drama set and pose lovingly in front of a waterfall, a mountain, or a random staircase in Fort Canning—all while a photographer yells “More chin! Less chin! Now act natural!” as you try not to trip in heels [3. Top 5 Heels Brands for Your Wedding] that weren’t made for actual ground.
Some couples go all out—flying to Korea or Paris for that cherry blossom/haute couture aesthetic. Others stick to good old Singapore hotspots like Upper Seletar Reservoir or Fullerton Hotel, which always sounds romantic until you realise you’re sweating through your rented gown and there are monkeys nearby.
Do You Need It? Honestly? No.
No one is going to cancel your wedding if you don’t have a pre-wed shoot. You can get married, have a beautiful ceremony, and live a long, fulfilling life with your partner without ever standing in a field holding a helium balloon that says “Forever Begins Today.”
Shocking, I know. But here’s the thing…
You Might Want One—And That’s Okay Too
Before you roll your eyes and declare pre-wedding shoots a scam created by the wedding-industrial complex (you’re not wrong), hear me out.
A pre-wedding shoot can be a genuinely lovely experience. For some couples, it’s the first time they’re professionally photographed together. It’s a chance to capture your personalities—without 200 aunties and uncles watching you awkwardly cut a cake shaped like a swan.
And in Singapore, where most of us live in flats with zero privacy and take engagement photos next to the laundry rack, a styled shoot in a dreamy gown can feel like your moment to shine. No distractions. Just the two of you (and a photographer [Do I need a pre-wedding photoshoot?], and maybe a makeup artist [56. Wedding makeup vs day to day makeup for females], and a lighting assistant).
What You Don’t Need:- To spend $6,000 on a full-day shoot with six outfit changes, a drone, and a camel. (Yes, someone has done this.)
- To follow Pinterest trends that don’t even make sense in our weather. (Stop wearing wool sweaters in Punggol.)
- To feel bad if you’re not the posing type. Not everyone looks natural cuddling under a tree while fake laughing into each other’s necks. It’s fine.
- A casual half-day shoot with just one or two outfit changes.
- Choosing locations that actually mean something to you—your first date spot, your go-to prata place, the void deck you used to hang out at (seriously, how iconic would that be?).
- Getting a photographer who gets you. Not just one who takes “aesthetic” shots of shadows and leaves.
TL;DR:
No, you don’t need a pre-wedding shoot. But if you want one—do it your way. Forget the Pinterest-perfect nonsense and make it fun, make it weird, make it yours.
Because let’s be real—your wedding journey isn’t about the photos. It’s about marrying the love of your life.
The photos are just a bonus. (A highly edited, hopefully well-lit bonus.)
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