Why Book a Pre-Wedding Shoot? 7 Reasons Couples Love It
When couples ask me “Janis, do we really need a pre-wedding shoot?” I always smile because I know the secret: it’s usually the groom asking. Brides are often sold on the idea. Grooms, however, tend to think of it as another thing on the list right after “buy socks that match the suit.”
As a pre-wedding photographer, I can tell you it’s one of the smartest extras you can book.
But here’s the truth. A pre-wedding shoot isn’t just a warm-up. It’s like a rehearsal dinner but with a camera, less food, and far fewer awkward speeches. By the end of it you’ll have photos you actually want to put on the fridge, plus a whole lot more.
What is a Pre-Wedding Shoot?
Let’s clear this up. A pre-wedding shoot (also called an engagement shoot, a couple’s session, or “photos before the big photos”) is a relaxed photo session before the wedding day.
I usually take couples somewhere beautiful, like the cobblestone streets of Florence, or that little secret rooftop in London I won’t tell you about until you book me. We walk, chat, sometimes laugh a little too much, and capture photos that actually feel like you, not two mannequins forced into a catalogue pose.
7 Reasons to Book a Pre-Wedding Shoot
1. You get comfortable in front of the camera
Unless you’re secretly a part-time model, chances are you feel a bit awkward when someone points a lens at you. That’s normal. A pre-wedding shoot is the perfect way to shake that off. By the time your wedding arrives, you’ll know how I work, and you’ll actually enjoy it. Yes, really.
2. We get to know each other
Your wedding photographer is the one supplier who literally follows you around all day. Better we get the awkward “so what do you do for work?” chat out of the way beforehand. When I’ve done shoots in Paris as a fun Paris pre-wedding photographer, the wedding day always runs smoother, because by then we’re already friends.
3. Save-the-dates, invites, Instagram bragging rights
Those engagement photos? Perfect for your wedding invites or save-the-date cards. Or, if you prefer, blow one up to A1 size and hang it above your fireplace so everyone who visits knows you’re ridiculously photogenic.
4. Capture your love story in everyday clothes
Weddings are glamorous, sure, but you’ll probably only wear that dress once. A pre-wedding shoot captures you in something closer to real life. Your favourite jeans, that dress you actually feel comfortable in, his shirt that’s not strangling him at the neck. Future you will thank present you for these photos.
5. Pick a dream location
On your wedding day, there’s no time to dash off to the beach at sunset or sneak into the gardens of that gorgeous villa nearby. A pre-wedding shoot is your chance.
I’ve photographed couples wandering through the streets of Paris, chasing sunsets in Santorini pre-wedding shoots, and hiking mountain trails for an adventure pre-wedding in Italy. Some have even braved the fairytale lakeside of Hallstatt in Austria or gone all out for a romantic pre-wedding photoshoot in Venice.
And if mountains are your thing, nothing beats the snow-capped romance of Switzerland — I even wrote the ultimate guide to a pre-wedding photoshoot in Switzerland.
6. It’s fun. No, really
I know some of you think photo shoots are torture. But picture this: a walk, some jokes, maybe a coffee or gelato halfway through, and lots of laughter at the silly prompts I’ll inevitably give you. Half the time, couples tell me afterwards: “That was actually… fun?” Yes. Exactly.
7. More memories before the big day
Your wedding day will fly by faster than your uncle at the open bar. Pre-wedding photos are extra memories you’ll cherish long after. They remind you of the excitement before the wedding, when you couldn’t stop grinning at each other.
Common Questions About Pre-Wedding Shoots
Is a pre-wedding shoot necessary?
No. But is pizza necessary? Technically no. Would life be better with it? Absolutely. A pre-wedding photoshoot isn’t mandatory, but couples who do one always tell me how much more relaxed they felt on the wedding day. It’s the easiest way to practice being in front of the camera and to get engagement-style photos you’ll actually want to frame.
How long does a pre-wedding shoot take?
Usually anywhere from 4 hours to 2 days, depending on the location and how adventurous you are. Some couples go for a quick city session, others plan a full destination pre-wedding photography adventure in places like Paris or Venice. I’ve also done two-day shoots in Santorini and Switzerland where we chased sunsets and stopped kissing only for coffee breaks.
What should we wear for a pre-wedding photoshoot?
Something comfortable that makes you feel like a million dollars, even if it only cost fifty. Most couples bring two outfits: one casual for relaxed engagement shoot vibes, and one dressier for those magazine-worthy portraits. Think flowy dresses in Santorini, smart suits in Paris, or cosy sweaters for mountain shoots in Switzerland or Hallstatt, Austria.
Where can we do a pre-wedding shoot?
Honestly, anywhere. A park you love, a city you’re obsessed with, or a secret spot that feels like yours. I’ve photographed couples in vineyards in Italy, castles in Switzerland, mountain trails in Austria, and once smack in the middle of a busy London crossing. Destination pre-wedding shoots in Venice, Paris, and Santorini are also some of my most requested sessions — because let’s face it, nothing beats romance with a view.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the fence about a pre-wedding shoot, here’s my advice: do it. You’ll get photos that show your love in a way the wedding day can’t always capture. You’ll be less camera-shy, more relaxed, and you’ll walk into your wedding day already knowing your photographer (hi, that’s me).
So, what do you say? Ready to plan your pre-wedding shoot?
👉 [Check out my pre-wedding photography packages here]