Text by Emma González | Photos by Bruno Maestrini
In China wedding photography is a huge business. My impression is that the pre-wedding photos are more important than the actual ceremony with family and friends. Many Chinese couples I know are extremely proud of their pictures and some even have huge prints on their living room wall.
Usually the couples hire a photographer and a small crew of make up artists and fashion stylists to immortalize their romantic moments before they become husband and wife. They spend a whole day, or sometimes even a weekend, posing in different outfits in front of variety of romantic settings. It is not unusual for richer couples to fly a photographer all the way to Europe just for these pictures.
For the shoot, photo companies offer a wide selection of dresses and accessories. Additionally, the make up artist and fashion stylist make sure that they look at their best in every picture.
There are places in China that are particularly appealing to those having their wedding pictures taken. One of those places is the coastal city of Qingdao. It is almost virtually impossible not to come across a wedding photoshoot when walking by the seaside. Another place that attracts the soon-to-be married couples is Suzhou for its beautiful canals. In Beijing, a popular spot is the Temple of Heaven.
Photographer's note: It's interesting to note that all these photos, with the exception of the top one, were taken at the same place during a one hour interval. We went to a Christian (episcopal maybe?) church near the lake and to our surprise dozens of couples were having their photos taken. I guess originality is needed in the Suzhou market. Or maybe the church was the most affordable package.
This could have ended in tears. The groom was trying not to fall down standing in two very unstable rocks while the bride was passionately kissing him for several minutes while the photographer searched for the perfect shot. I can imagine him thinking : "No pain, no gain", while he was struggling to stand straight. Nonetheless, I bet it turned out an amazing picture.
As I mentioned before, these photographic session can last hours or even days. It can be extremely tiring to walk in heels all day while someone keeps telling you to stand straight and smile. This bride takes a rest in a park while the photographer prepares for the shoot.
Many Chinese brides prefer the Western style dresses for their wedding pictures, instead of red. Traditionally, white has been the color used for mourning clothes in funeral services in most countries in Asia, including China. However, the strong influence of Western cinema has changed that and now young brides in China wear white wedding gowns. Nonetheless, it is still true that Chinese couples wear both red Chinese clothes and Western style outfits during their big day, where they change dresses at least once during the party.
Being a wedding photographer is no easy task as this adventurous shooter is showing. Because it is such an important event in their lives, the brides tend to be quite demanding and it is common to see them bossing around the photographer and the small crew. After all, every little detail needs to be perfect.
We should never forget that this is China and there is always room for extravagance. Here, we can see a couple that has opted for not-so conventional outfits. The woman is wearing a puffy satin pink dress with a green ribbon. She has accessorized her outfit with a pamela hat covered with flowers. The best thing is her childish facial expression and her pigtails. Meanwhile, the groom poses in a very tight outfit in white and pink.
Emma González is a journalist and connoisseur of fashion and author of the anti-fashion blog El Mundo DeSastre.