Singaporebrides | Photography

August 2016

Meiting and Shunxiong’s Charming Pre-Wedding Shoot in Japan

Meiting and Shunxiong celebrate their love in an intimate pre-wedding shoot in Japan.

Popular influencer and former Singapore Airlines stewardess, Lian Meiting, 29, first met her fiancé, Koh Shunxiong, 30, Real Estate Agent, at the Suntec Convention Centre where she was working part-time at an IT Fair. One goofy smile and a message on Friendster later, the pair got acquainted and eventually became an item. In preparation for their upcoming big day in November, Meiting and Shunxiong embarked on an overseas pre-wedding photoshoot with Decollte Wedding Photo Group in Japan – one of their favourite countries to travel to! Read more about their experience in beautiful Kyoto and Kobe as you feast your eyes on these lovely images, and find out how Meiting and Shunxiong overcame the challenges they faced during the shoot.

Tell us about the day you met. When, where and how did you meet?

Meiting: We officially met when I was a student working part-time selling cameras at the annual IT fair held at the Suntec Convention Centre. Prior to that, Shunxiong already knew who I was because he came across my blog and profile on Friendster (omg, ancient). I was giving out leaflets and he took one from me followed by flashing me the biggest, goofiest grin you could ever imagine, so that left an impression on me. That night, he went back home and sent me a message on Friendster and I replied because I remembered him as the queer dude who looked like he had just won the lottery.

Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 1 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 2 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 3 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 4 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 4a Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 5 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 6

What was the proposal like?

It was absolutely beautiful and I was completely caught off-guard. We went to Maldives with four of our friends and we were told that one of them was going to propose to his girlfriend on this trip and we were all part of the plan to help him pull this proposal off. So, on the actual day of the proposal, the guys went off to the beach to set up and the girls were supposed to stay in the room and play the proposal clip for the girlfriend in question. So, imagine my surprise when I saw Shunxiong and my face on the screen! I was then told to head to the beach where he was waiting for me. The sun was setting, the horizon was a beautiful painting of pink,orange and blue with soft waves crashing onto the beach. He was standing on the sand inside a heart that was lined by candle-lit lamps and there were LED lights embedded in the sand that said “WILL YOU MARRY ME”.

Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 7 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 8 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 9 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 10 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 11 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 12 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 13

Tell us about your pre-wedding shoot. What was it like? Why did you pick Japan as the location for your shoot?

Shunxiong and I have always wanted to have an overseas wedding shoot because it was too hot in Singapore to have an outdoor shoot without perspiring. We decided on Japan as it was our favorite country to visit (we would go yearly) and we just love the culture, scenery and its every aspect. It was also a good excuse for a holiday trip! We planned for our pre-wedding shoot to be during the first half of our trip so we could relax and I can eat all I want for the rest of our trip!

Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 14 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 15 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 16 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 17 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 18 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 19 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 20

Was there a theme? If so, tell us more about your theme.

We had three different looks for the shoot. The first was us in the traditional wedding Kimono and Yukata and the shoot would need to be carried out in a respectful way as we were wearing the most formal Kimono. The second look was the western wedding gown and tuxedo and we went for a more moody feel for this set. I wanted the pictures to be non-posey and as natural as possible and I wanted a darker mood to it. The third and final look featured me in my Singapore Airlines’ Kebaya in an indoor shoot. I wanted a memory of my time with the airline and we added this set as a last minute addition.

Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 21 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 22 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 25 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 26 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 27 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 30 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 31 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 32 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 34

How was the actual day like? Did things run smoothly? How were you feeling?

It was raining the entire day during our shoot but that didn’t dampen our mood as the crew at Decollte Wedding Photo Group made it as comfortable for us as possible. We started the day early in Kyoto for hair and makeup before heading to the Gion area for our Japanese themed shoot. We were lucky that it was only drizzling lightly because I wouldn’t want to imagine how heavy the kimono would be if it was soaked. It was already very heavy on its own and wearing it for two hours was all I could take. For our second set, we drove one and a half hours to Kobe and I was glad that I managed to nap during the drive. The weather was not in our favor because it rained the entire evening and we had to carry out the shoot under pretty heavy rain. It was also rather cold but thankfully I had my leather jacket on.

Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 24 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 23 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 35a Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 35b Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 35c

What was it like working with the team at Decollte? Was there a reason for choosing them as your pre-wedding photographer?

Everything was done very professionally and we were always placed as their top priority. Our photographer, Toshiya Mizuma, captured the best images of us and we shared the same synergy for the shoot. There was no awkwardness or shyness at all, which was a huge relief for me because my fiancé, Shunxiong, usually stiffens up whenever he is in front of a camera. I also absolutely love my hair and makeup done for each look. Akiko-san, my makeup artist, is a gem to work with as she nails each style perfectly every time. I am also very grateful to Yoyo, my Taiwanese translator, as she was the one who helped us communicate with the Decollte team.

Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 35 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 36 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 37 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 38 Meiting and Shunxiong's Pre-wedding Shoot in Japan 39

Share with us a behind-the-scenes moment that was especially memorable to you.

It would definitely be when we were under the heavy rain, sheltered by an umbrella while walking down the streets of Kobe. We were trying to capture “walking shots” and my gown was soaking wet from my ankle up to my knees and it wasn’t easy to walk in it. But we had a good time laughing because we must have looked really ridiculous walking in the middle of the road in a wedding gown and tuxedo under the rain. Oh, but the photographs from this set turned out to be one of my favorites of the lot.

The Location: Kyoto and Kobe, Japan
The Photographer: Toshiya Mizuma from Decollte Wedding Photo Group
Her Outfit:Wedding gown and Kimono from Decollte Wedding Photo Group / SIA Kebaya
Her Shoes: Taylor Says – Til Death
His Outfit: Tuxedo from Common Suits / Yukata from Decollte Wedding Photo Group
His Shoes: Suit Select
The Wedding Bands: Michael Trio
The Hair and Makeup: Akiko-san


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Decollte Wedding Photo Group; pre-wedding shoot; Japan; kimono; yukata

Meiting and Shunxiong’s Charming Pre-Wedding Shoot in Japan