Pre-Wedding Shoot in Japan Part 1

Hi all,

This will be a long post, maybe split into 3 parts as I have quite abit of details to cover. So me and J went for our Pre wedding shoot in Japan in the first week of May 2017, spring like weather and still sunny at the same time, I guess its the best of both world for any outdoor shoots. Temp was ranging from 18-23 degrees Celsius. Here is a sneak preview of my photos! just one to let you know what you guys are in for.

The photo below features a Full Set Kimono outfit at Sorakuen.

Alright back to the focus, some of you may wonder why fly all the way to Japan? Why not just take one in Singapore and save on the hotel and flight tickets? 

We decided to head there, not only for the weather and the amazing view, but more of the traditional kimono shoot. We really loved how the outfit looks and we also love the Japanese culture itself. Not that we are Japanese, we just prefer this country and these outfits. Not only that, it gives us an excuse to go for holiday! hehe. I was introduced to this studio by Blogger Lian Meiting. I will link her experience with them down below. http://lianmeiting.blogspot.sg/2016/07/japan-wedding-shoot-with-decollte-part-2.html Her shoot was in Kyoto and Kobe, but mine was in Kobe alone. We covered two specific areas, suggested to match our outfits. Soraku-en garden 相楽園 + Kyu-kyoryuchi 居留地

My kimono shoot was at Sorakuen, this place was gorgeous. like mind blowingly beautiful despite the lack of sakuras when I went. And that Kyu-kyoryuch was the European look alike place in Kobe, filled with modern buildings and high street brands.

Package details

Here is what they offered me.

- 2 outfits- kimono and white gown. all accessories and inner garments, the kimono has special inner garments to match with. shoes as well.

- Hair and makeup ( both groom and bride )

- The guide/translator.

- transport up down the whole day

- all Photos

- album plus shipping by air

- Album has 35 photos edited.

- throughout the shoot, photographer, MUA and translator will follow. 

280,000 yen (exclude tax)

*This price was quoted in Year 2016*

Also, I paid extra 50,000 yen for the top photographer at the Kobe branch, with award winning photos and an extensive portfolio.

All of the above was done prior to us flying into Japan, through email in Singapore.

Kobe Studio

Here onwards was done when we at the studio at Kobe.

We took the normal train from Osaka to kobe, took 30-45mins.

Location based reservation was done and time to choose the outfits.

I was there with the studio for 2 days. translator was introduced to me , she is chinese and Japanese speaking. a soft spoken lady with immense speed at translating between both languages. she was with me the ENTIRE time. helping me out at every step.

DAY ONE

1st day we were there from 12noon-4pm (that is damn long btw) to choose our outfits. White gowns were quite limited for outdoor shoot but still sufficient.

 They have these range of super fancy gowns that the locals love to wear during their wedding day. so cute right!

Their range of suits were pretty good tbh. From colours to vest to tie to bow tie.

We firstly went to choose the white gowns first and everyone had to wear white clean gloves to touch the gowns. Some were meant for indoor shoot, but mine was outdoor, so I selected a few that would be more feasible for outdoor shoot. ie not so heavy and not long crazy train.

White Gown Fitting ~

We selected about 3/4 and we went ahead to try it out. As usual we had the entire area to ourselves and J just had to sit outside to wait for curtains to open and close. My dresses were all different cuttings, from Mermaid to princess design and from bustier to empire waist cut.

This one is the Japanese style. ruffles, diamonds ribbons all together, look so kawaii right! :)

 Flattering cutting on me, but the chest area was abit too matured, so this didn't make it to my choice.

 Another tube top with a classy simple design, quite beautiful tbh, But I'm not feeling the ruffles at the bottom.

Suit Fitting~

J also had a great selection of grey, black and navy blue colour, shiny matte and patterns all that to choose from.

Usually the Japanese couple will go for smth quirky and fancy for the groom , thus J is trying the vest with checkers and polka dots like below.

 Interesting patterns on the vest and bow tie. loooks so cute :)

 Navy blue is his colour. flatters his skintone the most.

 We went with this instead. Formal classy and dashing handsome :) we stick to black and grey which suits his skin colour etc.

As for gown selection, the brides are very conservative and small size so they always stick to tube top and princess gown. they do alot of those tiara plus long gloves and all that, which is not really my style. Tiara I don't mind but gloves. erm. not really.

My Final pick~

This was the gown I went with. poofy big princess cut.

Something I will never wear IRL cause its for a photo shoot. The place we are heading to is very grand and western looking. This was my final pick.

Also, to add, the undergarments they use, are not Nubra and stockings.

They wear these inside instead.

Very very new to me and very interesting.

Its like a corset type of thing, but its very soft yet gives that structure to the body. and the pants, airy and flowy. so cute. I dash out of the fitting room , the private area, to get water from J.  Woah the translator and the bridal assistant quickly close the curtain and cover their eyes. LOL. I think this is their equivalent of Bra and Panties. LOL. so cute one they all. And its not cheap, each set of this can cost up to 200usd.

so after the western outfit has been selected. *Phew*

we move on to the traditional outfit that we are both most excited about.

click on the link below for part two!

PART TWO

Love,

Wing

*All photos in thia blogpost is my hardwork and effort, please do not misuse them or steal them for other purposes. Should they be shared on other platforms, pls do credit my photos appropriately*