Timeless Classics: A List of Photo Props to Prepare for Pre-Wedding Shoots
2018.10.14 published
What shooting props should I prepare?
Props you want to have ready for your wedding photo shoot.
Whether it's a studio photo or a location photo, having the same background can lead to having similar photographs. However...
If you have some items, it's possible to take different variations of photos in the same place. Naturally, this increases pose ideas, making photos with the same background have different atmospheres, which is appealing.
However, there are truly countless types of props for your photoshoot. While looking at the wedding photos of senior brides, you might even become unsure about what to prepare.
Therefore, this time, we will summarize popular and classic items among brides as shooting props.
Please pick your favorite items from this list and prepare them ♡
【Classic Prop】 Pre-shoot Prop ① Garland
A classic item, the garland.
If you're doing a pre-shoot in a dress, the phrase "JUST MARRIED" works well. If you're in traditional attire, the phrase "結婚しました" (I got married) is perfect.
➡ Check out garlands on Rakuten
➡ Article on how to make a Japanese-style garland using washi paper is here
【Classic Prop】 Pre-shoot Prop ② Calligraphy
Photos taken while holding calligraphy paper are called calligraphy shots.
You can write your favorite words like "I got married," "couple," "Happy New Year," or "started with ○○ (his last name)," giving a high degree of freedom as a prop for traditional attire.
Some may prepare ink stones, washi paper, and ink to take on calligraphy seriously, while others may download calligraphy-style fonts and use printed paper. There are also websites that can quickly create calligraphy-style images.
➡ Article about what words to write for a calligraphy shot is here
Shots that look like writing.
【Classic Prop】 Pre-shoot Prop ③ Initial Object
The initial object is used not only as a pre-shoot item but also for venue decoration on the wedding day.
You can find them at 100 yen shops or 3coins.
Besides wood and white paint, wire objects are also standard.
➡ Check out various initial objects on Rakuten
Among object types, large LOVE objects were also popular long ago.
You can DIY by adhering paper napkin flowers to a cardboard or styrofoam base.
【Classic Prop】 Pre-shoot Prop ④ Red String
A red string shaped into "寿" (longevity), "LOVE," "♡," etc., created by threading yarn with wire.
The classic method is to hook it around your pinky finger for the photo.
➡ Article explaining how to make a red string is here ♩
【Classic Prop】 Pre-shoot Prop ⑤ Photo Props
Photo props that can be used with both traditional and western attire. There are various designs in colors and shapes.
➡ List of articles about photo props is here
➡ Check out photo props on Rakuten
Fans with words written on them are particularly popular among brides doing traditional attire pre-shoots.
Many seem to want to display fan props at the welcome space on the wedding day ♡
Fan props can be DIYed by attaching mizuhiki, artificial flowers, or origami with a glue gun to a fan.
Items with a lot of artificial flowers glued onto them are also called "fan bouquets" ♩
➡ Article with 8 designs of fan props is here
【Classic Prop】 Pre-shoot Prop ⑥ Couple's Amulet
One popular shot with traditional attire is when the couple gently wraps a couple's amulet with their hands. Using an amulet for wedding photos is unique to Japan. If you're doing traditional attire pre-shoots, this is a must-have.
Especially popular is the "Yorisohi Amulet" from Nogizaka Shrine in Tokyo, designed based on hakama and shiromuku.
【Classic Prop】 Pre-shoot Prop ⑦ Photo Frame
An idea of using just the photo frame as a pre-shoot prop.
You can take various compositions by bumping heads together inside the frame, kissing, or using perspective to get your entire body in the frame.
Easy to use as a decorative item on the wedding day, so be sure to find your favorite at a home goods store ♡
➡ Special feature on budget-friendly photo frames from 100 yen shops, 3coins, Flying Tiger, and IKEA
【Classic Prop】 Pre-shoot Prop ⑧ Old Photos
Using old paper photographs as shooting items is also recommended. Common choices include wedding photos of each other’s parents, photos from when the couple was born, or photos from Shichi-Go-San.
This evokes feelings of family connections and the passage of time, creating wedding photos that resonate with viewers. It's particularly appreciated by family members.
【Classic Prop】 Pre-shoot Prop ⑨ Clapboard
The clapboard, a tool used in movie and drama shoots. Since it's made of blackboard, you can write both partners' names or initials, and the wedding date with white pens or chalk.
Photos using the clapboard could be great for an opening movie indicating "We're starting now!" ♡
It's also a point that you can find them at 100 yen shops easily.
➡ Check out clapboards on Rakuten
【Recently Popular】 Balloons ♡
Up to this point, I've introduced traditional shooting props...
But I've picked out some recently recommended items as well ♡
First off, balloon bouquets ♡
These are bouquet-shaped balloons with flowers or diamond ring balloons inside, and you can have your favorite text on the surface, so you can order them with the couple's names or anniversary ♡
The balloon bouquets on Marry feature over 15 varieties. Please take a look *
➡ You can buy balloon bouquets here