Singaporebrides | Real Weddings
November 2024
Melissa and You Quan’s Scenic Destination Pre-Wedding Shoot in Bali
Melissa and You Quan travelled to Bali for their pre-wedding shoot where they captured their love against the majestic and beautiful scenery the Indonesian island is famed for.
Melissa Mook, 29, Baker, and Ker You Quan, 31, Barista Trainer, met while working at Common Man Coffee Roasters. Love struck them unexpectedly and before they knew it, they were smitten with each other. After a surprise proposal in Osaka, Japan, the lovebirds travelled to Bali, Indonesia, for their pre-wedding shoot, where they captured their love against the island’s majestic and beautiful landscapes.
What was it about your partner that drew you to each other?
Melissa: To be honest, I don’t really know! It sort of just happened really quickly and naturally, but I think one point would be how serious he is with his work. I am a very serious worker too, so I guess that aligned, for a start.
What do you love most about your partner? What was the moment that made you realise that he/she was the one for you?
Melissa: I love how he loves me for me. He is always the more patient and forgiving one and he is very encouraging and supportive in whatever I want to do. It was when I realised that I really wanted to be with him all the time that I knew he was the one for me. And as clichéd as it may sound, I could no longer picture a life without him – that was when I knew.
Tell us about the proposal.
You Quan: I had planned for the proposal to take place during our trip to Osaka, Japan. On the day of the proposal, nothing went according to plan and I was really panicking because the day was ending and we were already heading to a restaurant for dinner. I was determined to make the proposal happen on that day because it was Valentine’s Day and I thought it’d make that date exceptionally meaningful for us moving forward.
So, I suggested that we have a coffee break at this really cute coffee shop which I had wanted to visit, just a few minutes away from where we were. It was next to a quiet alley and I thought, this is it, a quiet spot perfect for the proposal. The proposal went really well!
Take us back to your pre-wedding shoot. What was the actual shoot day like? Were there any challenges/obstacles along the way?
Both: We chose Bali for our pre-wedding shoot because we hd never been there before, and we wanted a location that offered beautiful landscapes. Bali was the perfect choice. We didn’t really have a specific theme in mind. Instead, the first thing we looked for was a photographer whose work we identified with, whom we felt was able to story-tell and not make the photos look too posey or heavily edited.
Melissa: The weather was one of our biggest challenges. I also did my own makeup and hair. Climbing up and down the rocky terrain at the Black Lava field was also another activity that gave me much so much stress for fear of tearing my gown. We were surprised to see a full-scale production team present at one of the venues for our sunrise shoot, but thankfully we were able to find a beautiful spot at the location to proceed with the shoot.
Prior to the booking of the trip, the weather forecast suggested that Bali would have already transited into the dry season. So, you can imagine our dismay when we landed and it was pouring, followed by occasional drizzles and thunderstorms. We were thankful the latter did not happen during our shoots.
What were some of the memorable/funny moments during the shoot?
Melissa: It would definitely have to be me trying to hold it in until we returned to base camp for bathroom breaks! It was really inconvenient for me to visit the makeshift toilet at Mount Batur, so our ride back to the base camp was fast and furious. Brewing the Aeropress on top of the jeep for the photoshoot was also another moment we would remember from the shoot, as well as the group of tourists serenading Ed Sheeran’s Perfect during our shoot on the jeep at Mount Batur.
Do you have any advice about planning a pre-wedding shoot to share with couples who are currently planning theirs? If yes, please share them with us.
Both: Be prepared, both mentally and physically. If you are doing sunrise shoots at an overseas location, be prepared to wake up really early. It can be really tiring and outdoor shoots can be totally unpredictable. While you can check the weather forecast, be prepared for changes. It drizzled throughout our two-day shoot and while we worried, naturally, I would say embrace the situation and enjoy the moment, as it makes the photos truly one of a kind.
The Pre-Wedding Venue: Bali
The Bride’s Outfit: Digio Bridal
The Groom’s Outfit: Digio Bridal
The Engagement Rings: JannPaul Diamonds
The Pre-Wedding Photographer: Wei Zhen from Synchronal Photography
The Florist: The Glasshouse
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