Singaporebrides | Fashion

August 2015

Retro 1950s Engagement Session Styled Shoot at Universal Studios Singapore

Get inspired by the fun retro theme of our styled pre-wedding shoot in Universal Studios Singapore, featuring a story of 1950s romance beautifully told by Androids in Boots (Still + Motion).

We’re thrilled to share with you our retro engagement session styled shoot! Universal Studios Singapore was the perfect setting to bring the nostalgic American 1950s to life. Referencing sweet first dates sharing milkshakes in red diner booths and the chivalric romance of the American 1950s, this retro pre-wedding shoot captures young love with personality and character in a beautiful series of bright, lighthearted shots by AndroidsinBoots (Still + Motion).

We love the idea of themed engagement photoshoots, where couples can tell their own unique story while anchoring the shoot with a theme. Choosing a shared love for a themed pre-wedding shoot is a great way to get personalised photos, and lets couples feel comfortable being themselves on the day of their shoot. For our retro shoot, we went with a more casual and playful vibe that allowed real-life couple Christabel of Bellywellyjelly and Joal to just have fun with the story of a 1950s couple recreating the scenes of their first date. It was so sweet to see them practicing dance moves by the jukebox!

To inject colour and character, the styled pre-wedding shoot was set in Universal Studios Singapore’s Mel’s Diner, and along the alleys of the New York Zone with their bright storefronts and gritty brick walls. Inspired by iconic pin-up girl style, we envisioned a bridal look with a flirty tea-length frock, complete with a victory roll hairstyle and classic red lips. For the groom, a dashing blue suit and a retro peaked cap brought the fifties look together. Styled with vintage accessories and huge balloons, the retro engagement session really captured whimsy and old-fashioned romance.

Read on for our little chat with beauty, fashion, and travel blogger Christabel and her love Joal, where they tell us what the shoot was like for them, and give tips on achieving fun and natural engagement photos!

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Hello, Christabel and Joal! You’ve been together for almost two years. Long enough to think about weddings! Did the shoot prompt any thoughts of the future?

Christabel: It made me think about what our wedding will be like, and stirred up this warm and fuzzy feeling within.

Awww. And Joal?

Joal: It was a really fun shoot!
(He’s not elaborating, but we could see the love in his eyes when he was twirling Bel around.)

Did you learn anything new about each other?

Joal: Although we had a lot of fun, Bel is still very serious when it comes to modelling and taking photos. So one thing I learned was that she’s very serious when she works. And very passionate.

Christabel: JOAL CAN’T CARRY ME IN A WEDDING DRESS! (Oh no.) Haha but really, I’ve learnt that we work well as a team, and life is always more fun with him around.

He did it in the end! And you both looked like you had a lot of fun trying. Do you have any tips for couples who want natural, love-filled shots like these?

Christabel: I would say to forget that the camera is there (I know it’s not easy). Have in mind how you want the pictures to turn out before attempting them. Have poses in your head if you’re looking for some posey-posey shots. If you’re like me and you like candid pictures, try talking to your partner and laughing about past memories. Don’t focus too much on the camera, and just look into each other’s eyes. Enjoy the moment, and keep a conversation going. The pictures will turn out really natural.

Joal: Well, I think the most obvious tip is to actually have fun! We’re both quirky people and we’re very comfortable with each other. As long as you’re comfortable with your other half and have fun while you shoot, the photos will turn out a lot more real and natural. Just loosen up, be yourself, and enjoy the time spent with your partner. :)

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Thanks for sharing with us!

We want to say a big thank you to all of the incredibly creative vendors who collaborated with us on this styled shoot and brought our 1950s engagement photography vision to life. Click for the full vendor credits and special thanks for the amazing gown, suit, makeup, accessories, and styling vendors, along with some expert beauty tips to brides preparing for their own pre-wedding photography shoot. Of course, we also owe thanks to Universal Studios Singapore for providing the perfect colourful, retro setting!

Couples who are looking for fun, unique settings to document their own love stories can find them in Universal Studios Singapore™ with the Resorts World™ Sentosa Wedding Package. For fun and creative pre-wedding photography, the bright colours of the vintage storefronts in the Hollywood Zone, the brick walls of the New York Zone alleys, and the magical spires in Far, Far Away provide a myriad of photo opportunities. With a VIP Tour Guide to personally escort you, three single day passes, a two-hour photography and videography session, access to a VIP changing area, and a meet-and-greet session with Woody Woodpecker or Winnie Woodpecker, this $388 nett package will give you all the unique and colourful backdrops you need to create your love story. Contact [email protected] or 65776077 for bookings or more information. Visit the Universal Studios Singapore website for more information on the theme park and its exciting attractions.


Credits: Photography by AndroidsinBoots (Still + Motion), feature image cropped from original.

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Retro 1950s Engagement Session Styled Shoot at Universal Studios Singapore