Jackson Grant Shoots Rio & Rachel's Singapore Pre-Wedding
Australian photographer Jackson Grant, initially unavailable for Rio and Rachel's wedding, instead captured a high-energy couples session across their favorite Singaporean spots, featuring local hawker stalls and a retro mall.
Alternative Session in Singapore
Australian photographer Jackson Grant recently completed a dynamic couples session in Singapore for local residents Rio and Rachel. Grant, who was already booked on the couple's wedding date, collaborated with them to create a unique pre-wedding experience.
The session, described as movement-based and set against Singapore's humid backdrop, explored the couple's personal haunts rather than typical tourist attractions. This creative approach allowed Rio and Rachel to capture their relationship with their preferred photographer, even without a traditional wedding shoot. The images, produced by Jackson Grant Weddings, showcase the city's vibrant energy and the couple's connection.
Local Route and Unique Style
Rio and Rachel, both Singaporean locals with backgrounds in art, dance, and music, designed a route reflecting their everyday lives. The journey included a visit to a popular hawker stall for their favorite mee hoon kway, a vibrant red retro shopping mall, and a park with stepping stones they frequent in the evenings.
The session also incorporated a ride on the 167 Bus, a route where they often shared earphones. This personalized itinerary, moving "from bus, to bike, to bitumen," according to Grant, offered a genuine portrayal of their life in Singapore, distinguishing it from conventional pre-wedding photography.
Bespoke Attire and Floral Details
The couple showcased multiple distinct looks throughout the session. Rachel wore an ivory satin gown by Arotagas and a pink dress by Desigual, complemented by a custom necklace from Inez Designs. Rio's attire included a pinstripe suit adorned with enamel pins and embroidered patches, featuring brooches by his friend Nathanael Ng and a custom tie by Aldrie Indrayana.
The floral arrangements, crafted by Meteor Flowers, incorporated yellow star-shaped blooms, purple globe amaranth, red tropical foliage, and large green leaves, adding a vibrant touch to the visuals. Hair and makeup for the session were handled by Ann Lin.
Implications for Asia's Couples
This Singaporean couples session highlights a growing trend for engaged couples across Asia: prioritizing a specific photographer's style over a fixed wedding date. When a preferred vendor is unavailable, couples can explore alternative sessions, such as engagement shoots or post-wedding portraits, to still secure their desired aesthetic.
Opting for a personalized route through familiar cityscapes, as Rio and Rachel did, also offers a more authentic and intimate reflection of a couple's story, providing images that a traditional wedding day might not capture. Couples planning their weddings in Singapore or other Asian cities should consider these bespoke options to ensure their visual narrative is truly unique.
Two newsletters, one newsroom.
The Vow brings you Asia’s most beautiful weddings and smartest planning advice every week. The Wedding Business Brief keeps the industry current twice a month. Both are free.
