11 places in Singapore for pre-wedding portraits filled with local flavour

From a durian stall to a photo op right in front of Old Chang Kee, Chinatown proved to be a picture-worthy backdrop for Damian and Vivien!

Photography: KIMNSHIN

Just a skip and a hop away from Chinatown is the red-light-district-turned-hip-enclave-and-foodie-haven Keong Saik estate. With its rows of conserved shophouses, it evokes a nostalgic charm. 

See their photos, here. 

Photography: Androidsinboots

It doesn’t get more Singaporean than our public housing estates. Plus, taking your photos in your soon-to-be home adds a intimate and personalised feel to your portraits that’s uniquely yours. Just check out real couple Wu Jie Zhen and Jared Kong’s wedding photo series, which they took in their pre-renovated home. 

Photography: The Beautiful Moment Photography

Or even if your home’s already done up, having your bridal portraits taken in your crib gives it that keeping-it-real vibe too.

Wedding photos of Anthea and Vincent. Photography: Androidsinboots

Even better when you include one of our (many) must-eat Singaporean breakfasts, fragrant kaya and butter toast, and mugs of steaming kopi.

Image: @intricked/Instagram

For Dasreena Kaur and Ishvinder Singh, they knew they wanted their shoot to capture the beauty and vibrancy of Singapore and decided on Little India – even before they found their photographer.

“We felt [Little India] to be a place bustling with colours, activity and culture. Moreover, we wanted to do something different from the norm and Little India seemed to be a rather unconventional choice for a wedding shoot”, says Dasreena. See their photos here.

Photography: Androidsinboots

This iconic spot along Koon Seng Road features pastel-hued shophouses with ceramic Peranakan tiles, and makes for the prettiest backdrop if you’re looking to give your wedding portraits a heritage-inspired feel. Keep from going beyond the gates – we’ve heard of how Instagrammers often trespass into residents’ homes just for a photo.

Image: @lightedpixelspixies/Instagram

See also: A WEDDING PARTY ON THE GROUNDS OF A COLONIAL HERITAGE BUILDING – SEE HOW THIS SINGAPOREAN COUPLE DID IT 

Formerly the Supreme Court and City Hall buildings, this national monument is steeped in history and a reflection of our colonial roots. Plus, you have to admit that its classical architecture and towering columns make for a stately backdrop.

Image: @calinengphoto/Instagram

To commemorate their time spent on the MRT trains during their courtship, Jun Min Toh and Xiang Hao Pang took pre-wedding portraits at Joo Koon station!

Photography: Digio Bridal

And speaking of public transport, take your cue from this Singapore couple who arrived at their wedding in an SMRT bus – just be sure you pick a non-peak period, make it snappy and aren’t inconveniencing anyone!

Photography: Andri Tei (www.andritei.com)​​​​​​​

What with all the hype surrounding the swanky Jewel Changi Airport (where, by the way, you can soon shoot your wedding photos), it’s the iconic Changi Control Tower that still tugs on our heartstrings. 

Image: @bridelopeproductions/Instagram

And of course, there’s no leaving out Singapore’s oldest housing estate, Tiong Bahru. If you need more convincing, just look to Sheila Sim’s uber-cool noctural shoot at Tiong Bahru with hubby Deon Woo.

Photography: Brian Ho/The Galeria