Overseas wedding photoshoots: 7 exotic Asian destinations less than 6 hours away

Think skylines with ancient temples and hot-air balloons, sleepy towns with quaint charms and even an amphitheater of rice terraces.

By Karen Fong for Cleo and Cassandra Koh - 18 Apr 2018

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These days, pre-wedding photo shoots are great for couples to really capture a sense of who they are together – before their wedding.

While Paris and Europe may be a go-to for the idea of romance and nature, there are actually a multitude of places right in our backyard that are more accessible, cheaper and different.

“Choosing a destination is a very personal decision,” says Kelly Fan, chief photographer at StudioKel Photography who does shoots both local and overseas for couples.

“It should be one that speaks to both your hearts, one that bears sentiment or even better, that invokes wanderlust.”

She added, “A photographer is there to capture that adventure. The photos captured should reflect the greater stories of your travels and bond. When in doubt, the road less travelled will always offer a good adventure.”

Here are some of our suggestions for that stand-out pre-wedding shoots!

This story was first published in Cleo.

Images: 123rf

Bagan, Myanmar

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The timeless, ancient city of Bagan plays host to this mystical sight every golden hour - a multitude of hot-air balloons suspended over the ornate Buddhist monuments towers.

There's no better setting than this to enjoy and capture the golden hours of the day!

Hoi An, Vietnam

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This coastal town in Vietnam is experiencing a resurgence with its beautiful quaint qualities (and direct flights from Singapore to Danang).

In addition to its famed lantern festival held on the 15th of every month, the town's European ambience, coffee shops and old world charms are just a few draws to make your pictures unique.

During my personal trip through Vietnam and Laos, Hoi An was one of the places that really stood out to me.

Hokkaido, Japan

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For breathtaking fields of flowers or snow-capped mountains, Hokkaido is your ultimate destination.

Rent a car and drive out to Furano, roughly two hours outside of Sapporo and just, keep, going.

Yangshuo, China

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One of the most scenic spots in China, Yangshuo is a quieter, smaller town compared to the popular, tourist-drenched Guilin nearby.

In Yangshuo, you can get gorgeous mountain views replete with misty clouds, as well as bamboo rafts drifting along the river (if you dare board one with your wedding gown on).

Banaue, Philippines

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While this might be a harder place to get to than say, the rice fields of Ubud, Bali, the Banaue Rice Terraces in the Philippines are often called "The Eigth Wonder of the World".

Imagine not just having these gorgeous terraces behind you, but these gorgeous terraces behind you, but also the mountains in the mist. How unforgettable would that be?

Dondra Head, Sri Lanka

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Only four hours from Singapore, Sri Lanka offers everything from white sandy beaches to ancient ruins that are the perfect backdrop to showcase your love for each other.

Pictured: Dondra Head Lighthouse at the southest cape of Sri Lanka, the highest lighthouse in the whole Asia.

Luang Prabang, Laos

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Another quaint town experiencing a resurgence, Luang Prabang retains its quality of a quiet, peaceful town.

Wedding shots can include a mix of the quaint town contrasted with golden temples, or venture out further to amazing landscapes like the Kuang Si waterfalls for something extra special.