Your step-by-step roadmap to capturing your love story before the wedding day.
A pre-wedding shoot is more than just a photoshoot—it’s a beautiful way to freeze your love story before the big day. For many couples, these images become cherished memories, used in wedding invites, decor, albums, and social media. But planning the perfect pre-wedding shoot requires clarity, creativity, and a little preparation.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to plan a dream pre-wedding shoot with ease, ensuring the photos are not just good, but truly reflective of your unique bond.
Often considered an essential part of the modern wedding preparation, a pre-wedding shoot offers immense value beyond just pretty pictures. It's a strategic rehearsal for your wedding day.
When done right, it sets the perfect tone for your wedding journey and provides high-quality content for your wedding album.
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Before selecting anything else, sit down and talk to your partner about the aesthetics and feeling you want to capture:
This clarity helps the photographer tailor their approach to your specific story and style.
Your pre-wedding shoot's success depends heavily on the team behind the lens. Invest time in finding the right professional.
| Checklist Item | Why it Matters |
|---|---|
| Experience | Look for a portfolio specifically showing pre-wedding work, not just weddings. |
| Signature Style | Ensure their style (candid, editorial, cinematic) matches the vision you discussed in Step 1. |
| Couple Dynamics | A good photographer knows how to direct couples gently to capture genuine emotion. |
| Storytelling Ability | The best shoots tell a compelling, beautiful narrative. |
At mapleshades, we guide couples from concept development through to the final execution with a seamless and enjoyable experience, making sure every detail aligns with your dream vision.
Your location defines the atmosphere and narrative of the shoot. Consider places that are aesthetically pleasing *and* logistically feasible.
These offer natural light and expansive backdrops. Popular choices include:
Ideal for privacy, weather control, and a controlled aesthetic:
For couples seeking a grander, more exotic backdrop, consider:
Jaipur, Udaipur (royal/heritage), Rishikesh, Manali (mountains), Goa (beaches/vibrant).
Tip: Choose a place that genuinely reflects your vibe as a couple and minimizes travel stress on the day.
Your wardrobe should complement the theme, location, and season. A typical shoot includes 2-3 outfit changes for variety.
Flowy gowns, pastel dresses, tailored tuxedos, coordinated formals. Best for luxurious or scenic locations.
Denim jackets, casual shirts, co-ords, light summer dresses. Ideal for street-style or picnic themes.
Lehengas, sherwanis, sarees, Indo-western fusion outfits. Perfect for heritage or traditional themes.
While natural chemistry is key, having a few planned concepts helps guide the photographer and ensures you get diverse shots. The best shots often happen when you forget the camera is there.
Walking hand-in-hand, hug from behind, forehead touch, dramatic gown flow/twirl, close-up candid laughs, soft kisses, silhouette shots (especially at golden hour), and drone shots for wide, epic frames.
Have a mood board or references ready to share with your photographer, but ultimately trust their professional expertise to execute the shots beautifully.
Lighting is the most critical element. The time of day significantly impacts the mood and quality of your images.
| Time Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Best for Outdoor Shoots | Golden Hour (6–9 AM or 4–6 PM). This provides soft, warm, flattering natural light, known as the "magic hour." |
| Best for Indoor Shoots | Anytime, as the light is controlled, but midday is often best to leverage large windows if available. |
| Time to Avoid | Harsh Sunlight between 11 AM – 3 PM, which creates strong shadows and causes squinting. |
Professional makeup and grooming are essential. They add polish, confidence, and ensure you look your best under professional lighting and high-resolution cameras.
| For the Bride | For the Groom |
|---|---|
| Soft, natural makeup that highlights features. | Basic grooming (neat haircut, beard trim, clean nails). |
| Use waterproof products for comfort and longevity. | Focus on skin prep and avoiding shine/oil. |
| A dedicated hairstylist for touch-ups between outfit changes. | A well-fitting wardrobe that is wrinkle-free. |
Props and themes are excellent tools to add personality, creativity, and a distinct narrative to your photographs.
Flowers/bouquets, balloons, a vintage car or bicycle, meaningful items (letters, first gifts), simple umbrellas, vibrant dupattas, or signs showing your wedding date.
Romantic Date, Traditional Cultural Attire, Retro / Classic Cinema, Street-Style, Travel/Adventure Theme, or even a theme based on your favorite movie or book.
A comprehensive pre-wedding shoot involves several moving parts. Be clear on what your chosen package includes to avoid surprises.
Typical Costs May Include:
mapleshades offers customizable pre-wedding packages designed to fit a wide range of needs and budgets, from single-day local shoots to elaborate destination experiences.
This is arguably the most important step. The best photos are captured when you are genuinely having fun and focused on each other, not the camera. Your authentic chemistry is your best prop!
Remember: It’s your moment—enjoy the process and let your love shine with Mapleshades!
Ensure a smooth and magical experience by proactively avoiding these common pitfalls:
Aanya & Krish
We found this team while searching for the best wedding photographer in Delhi — and honestly, it was the best decision ever! They made us feel so comfortable and captured every vibe perfectly. Every picture feels like a Pinterest board come alive!
Tanish & Rhea
Super chill team, zero awkward posing! We went for a candid wedding photography package in Delhi and got shots that look straight out of a movie. Totally worth it!
Meher & Aayush
We wanted something minimal yet emotional — and they absolutely nailed it. If you’re hunting for creative wedding photographers in Delhi NCR, just book them without thinking twice!
Aarav & Kiara
Our pre-wedding shoot was insane! From concept to execution, everything felt effortless. These folks are easily the most talented destination wedding photographers near Delhi.
Vihaan & Myra
They made us laugh through every shot, and the results are next-level candid. I still get compliments whenever people see our wedding album. Totally the best candid wedding photographer in Delhi!
Reyansh & Niyati
We had a multicultural wedding and needed a team who understood both traditions — and they delivered beyond expectations. Their storytelling approach is unmatched.
Aarohi & Dev
These guys are like your hype team and photo crew rolled into one. The photos are so real and vibrant. If you’re in Delhi, you can’t go wrong with them!
Kabir & Ishita
Our wedding film was pure magic! Every moment was captured beautifully — the lighting, timing, and editing were absolutely perfect. Hands down the top wedding photographer in Delhi NCR!
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