Your pre-wedding photoshoot is one of the most exciting parts of your wedding journey. Choosing the right photo shoot destinations can transform ordinary pictures into extraordinary visual narratives.
These photographs capture the essence of your love story before the big day arrives, creating memories that you’ll cherish forever. This season brings unique opportunities to explore stunning locations that offer the perfect backdrop for your romantic pre-wedding moments. Let our team at Wedding Affair take you on this wild ride in this blog.
Table of Contents:
- Why Pre Wedding Photoshoots Matter
- Top Pre Wedding Photoshoot Destinations in India for This Season
- International Pre-Wedding Photoshoot Destinations
Why Pre Wedding Photoshoots Matter
A pre-wedding photoshoot is something more than a fad; it’s a chance to celebrate your relationship in a relaxed and intimate setting. Unlike the structured timeline of wedding day photography, these sessions let couples be themselves, try out poses and styles that work for them, and create a visual story that reflects their unique bond. The right photoshoot destinations can elevate these moments from simple photographs to artistic masterpieces.
Read Also: Check Out These 9 Stunning Jewellery for Indian Bridesmaids
Top Pre Wedding Photoshoot Destinations in India for This Season
- Udaipur, Rajasthan: The City of Lakes
The city of Udaipur remains an unparalleled romantic destination for photoshoots in India, especially during winters. The City Palace, with its overwhelming details in architecture and extending courtyards, forms a royal backdrop exuding timeless elegance. Serene waters of Lake Pichola, especially during the time of sunset, create magical reflections adding ethereal beauty to your pre-wedding photographs.
The weather is such during this season that it is comfortable enough to explore more than one location. From the vintage charm of Bagore Ki Haveli to the panoramic views from Sajjangarh Palace, Udaipur offers diverse settings within one destination. Colorful textiles and traditional Rajasthani elements hang across the narrow lanes of the city, adding authentic cultural richness to your frames.
- Goa: Beach Bliss and Portuguese Charm
Winter will turn Goa into a pre-wedding photography paradise. The beaches are not crowded, and the weather is perfect for outdoor shoots. Photoshoot destinations like Palolem Beach, with its crescent-shaped coastline and coconut palms, offer tropical romance. The quiet mornings at Ashwem Beach provide pristine, crowd-free backdrops.
Besides beaches, architectural variety comes from Goan Portuguese heritage sites like Chapora Fort and the Latin Quarter of Fontainhas. Vibrant colored houses, vintage doors, and cobblestone streets create frames worth capturing on Instagram. For couples wanting that bohemian feel, relaxed, candid shoots are possible at beach shacks, with hammocks dotting the shores.
- Manali and Kasol: Mountain Magic
The Himalayan landscapes of Manali and Kasol offer striking photoshoot destinations for a mountain-loving couple. This season, with fresh snowfall dusting its peaks and crisp mountain air, these destinations turn into winter wonderlands. When accessible, the Rohtang Pass provides snow-covered landscapes, setting the scene for dreamy, fairytale-like pre-wedding photographs.
Kasol’s riverside settings, along the Parvati River and with pine forests around, are quaint and offbeat. The wooden bridges, mountain cafes, and misty mornings add mystical overtures to your frames. More traditional Himalayan charm can be seen in the apple orchards and typical Himachali architecture of Old Manali.
- Jaipur: The Pink City’s Royal Heritage
The magnificent forts and palaces of Jaipur make it one of the biggest photography destinations in India for couples who desire grandeur. The Amber Fort’s mirror work halls and stepped wells, or baoris, create dramatic architectural frames. Hawa Mahal presents its iconic facade, while the geometric precision of Panna Meena Ka Kund presents unique perspectives.
This is the season when clear skies and pleasant temperatures make their heritage sites worth visiting, adding to a warm pre-wedding photo shoot between the couple-to-be. The buildings have an overall hue of pink throughout the old city. Nahargarh Fort over the hilltop offers good city views and sunset opportunities for the adventurous couples.
International Pre-Wedding Photoshoot Destinations
Santorini, Greece: Aegean Dream
Santorini embodies the ultimate romantic Mediterranean beauty, with picture-perfect white-washed houses, blue-domed churches, and breathtaking views of the caldera. The villages of Oia and Fira provide dramatic clifftop backdrops that drop down into the deep blue of the Aegean Sea. Shots at sunset are legendary here, as golden light washes over the volcanic landscape.
Narrow pathways of cobblestone, cascades of colorful bougainvillea falling down white walls, and traditional windmills create the most typically Greek frames. Black volcanic beaches, like Kamari, contrast with the red sand beaches at Akrotiri. Warm hospitality and photogenic architecture make every corner worth shooting for Instagram.
Paris, France: The City of Love
Paris doesn’t need an introduction to being the romantic capital of the world. The Eiffel Tower provides an iconic backdrop, whether photographed from Trocadéro Gardens or along the Seine River. Picturesque streets of Montmartre offer up bohemian elegance with their artistic heritage and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
The historic bridges of Pont Alexandre III and Pont des Arts make your frames architectural masterpieces. Then add variety: the glass pyramid at the Louvre, the manicured beauty of Luxembourg Gardens, and quaint Parisian cafes. The cherry blossoms of spring give way to golden foliage in autumn, each season painting Paris in different romantic hues.
Bali, Indonesia: Paradise Tropical
Bali combines spiritual serenity with tropical beauty, offering a huge variety of photoshoot locations on one island alone. The many temples, such as Tanah Lot, perched on rocky outcrops, and Uluwatu Temple, boast clifftop ocean views as mystical backdrops. Tegalalang Rice Terraces put on display a vibrant green stepped paddy field that epitomizes the Balinese landscape.
The jungle swings of Ubud, hidden waterfalls such as Tegenungan, and sacred monkey forests add adventure to your shoot, while pristine coastal settings grace your camera from the beaches of Nusa Dua and Seminyak. Traditional Balinese gates and carved stone architecture inject cultural richness into every frame.
Read Also: 12 Things to Keep in Mind While Planning a Wedding Menu
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best time of day for pre-wedding photoshoots?
A: These are early morning and late afternoon, specifically between the hours of 6-8 AM and 4-6 PM, respectively. In general, the midday harsh sunlight should be avoided unless shooting in shaded or indoor locations.
Q: How many days should be allocated for a destination pre-wedding photoshoot?
A: Most couples plan their destination photoshoots in 2-3 days. For international destinations, consider 4-5 days to account for jet lag, travel time, and exploring multiple locations comfortably without rush.
Q: Do we need permission to shoot at popular photoshoot destinations?
A: Most heritage sites, forts, and public spots require photography permits, particularly for commercial shoots. It applies both domestically and internationally. Research the requirements beforehand; collaborate with your photographer to secure the necessary permissions.
Q: How many outfit changes should we be considering?
A: Typically, 2-4 outfit changes are enough for a full-day shoot. That’s enough variety without being overwhelming. Coordinate outfits with the selected photoshoot destinations for visual harmony.
Q: Should we book a makeup artist for our pre-wedding photo shoot?
A: Professional makeup is a must for photoshoots. The camera lights and editing are different from those of the wedding day, so specialized makeup gives you the best look in all different scenarios. For destination shoots, many photographers work with local makeup artists they trust.
Q: Can we include our pets in the pre wedding photoshoot?
A: Of course! Most couples will need to add favorite pets that hold special meaning. Be sure to discuss these in advance with your photographer to plan locations and logistics accordingly. International travel: be mindful, it will require a lot of planning, quarantine times, and documentation.
Q: How long before the wedding should we book for a pre-wedding photoshoot?
Q: Book 3-6 months in advance, especially in peak wedding season and for international destinations. Popular photographers get booked in advance, so too do photoshoot destinations. International shoots require extra lead time due to visa processing, flight bookings, and accommodation during peak tourist seasons.
