No modern wedding is complete without a photo shoot before or after the big event. How else will your wedding album have fun, candid shots of just the two of you, minus all the heavy wedding attire? Not to mention frames crowded with friends and relatives. A montage of intimate images celebrating your relationship, pre/post wedding photo shoots are a necessity these days.

 

Just as you want your wedding to be unique, it’s natural to yearn for a pre/post wedding album that is different from what everyone else does. After all, your relationship is unique and it deserves a celebration like no other. Don’t limit yourself when it comes to imagining this once in a lifetime event. Choose Jeju Island, and make it the most memorable, most joyful experience of your relationship.

 

Imagine a wedding album featuring some of the breathtaking natural wonders of the world. That’s what Jeju Island can offer you, and more. Situated off the coast of South Korea, Jeju Island boasts of some of the most awe-inspiring sceneries known to man. In fact, it is listed among the world’s new seven wonders of nature and is often called the ‘Hawaii of South Korea’.

Hike up to the land of fairy tales

To begin with, there’s Mount Hallasan, a dormant volcano and the highest mountain in South Korea. The mountain lies at an altitude of 1,950 metres above sea level and can be hiked up and down in a day. Climb up with your partner and soak in the majestic views while catching your breath. And then you two can be movie stars in your own little film, with backdrops that will make you feel transported to another world. In springtime, azaleas will greet you with every colour of the rainbow. Close your eyes for a few seconds and imagine lying in a bed of purple flowers, with your sweetheart by your side and the blue sky above. It must be as close to Heaven as one can get! Or if you prefer a different kind of bliss, if the more austere but equally inviting autumn colour palette is more your style, Hallasan is ready with its warm golds and deep reds.

Walking trail on Mt. Hallasan 

That’s not all. Hallasan is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site as well. The Baengnokdam Lake is a crater lake at the top of the mountain, which offers a unique backdrop for your photos. So do the numerous varieties of alpine plants. There are a host of lovely animals as well, like chipmunks and beetles, butterflies and woodpeckers. What more do you need to feel that you’re living a fairy tale?

 

Blue waters and white sands equals perfect photographs!

As amazing as it is, Hallasan is not the only destination for your wedding photography. Being an island, it goes without saying that Jeju has a great number of beaches. In this hypnotic world of blue water and white sand, the most glittering presence is that of Hyeopjae Beach. Colourful seashells dot the white sandy beaches here, vying for attention with the pretty striped umbrellas set up for a relaxing day by the sea. The beautiful horizon is broken by the emerald green Biyangdo Island, which might remind you of a slightly fat man, floating peacefully on the azure sea and drinking in the blue sky.

Hyeopjae Beach, Jeju Island

Near Hyeopjae Beach is another address guaranteed to make it into your pre/post wedding album. The Hallim Park is sprawled over almost 100,000 square meters and offers irresistible backdrops for your photographs. There are many kinds of gardens like the Water Garden and Bonsai Garden which would please even the most discerning eye.

 

Ethereal caves of Manjanggul

If you want to give your photographs a truly unique touch, try the Manjanggul Caves. Formed of lava tubes, this cave looks like an underground railway tunnel. If you or your significant other are a Harry Potter fan, you are in for an added treat. The Manjanggul caves might remind you of the twisted tunnels of Gringotts Bank, where the Boy Wizard and his friends had one of their most memorable adventures. But fear not, there are no wicked goblins or hungry dragons lying in wait for you here.

Grandfather Stones (Dolharubang)

While we are on the topic of lava and fun photographs, the ‘grandfather stones’ of Jeju deserve mention. Carved out of volcanic rock in the eighteenth century, these statues were meant to protect the inhabitants from forces of evil. The giant phallic statues of old men are reminiscent of the moai of the Easter Islands, though less forbidding thanks to their grinning faces. According to local rumour, rubbing the nose of a stone ‘grandpa’ will facilitate the birth of a son. True or not, it’s something worth trying, just for the fun of it. And just imagine the number of humourous photo opportunities! Who said wedding photography has to be dully romantic?

 

Cheonjeyeon Waterfall

Waterfalls make for stunning backdrops and in Jeju, the Cheonjeyeon waterfall will take your breath away. The waterfall has three sections, beginning from the ceiling of a cave. Water flows over the next two falls and gathers in sparkling blue water, a sight fit for kings. Or should we say Gods, because the Cheonjeyeon is also called the Pond of God. According to legend, nymphs come down to the pool from heaven, to bathe in the blue water and enjoy the stillness of the night. You might not meet a nymph, but you’ll surely come away from Cheonjeyeon with some beautiful photographs and even more beautiful memories.

Cheonjeyeon Waterfall

An Idyllic Fantasy

Few can resist the quaint charms of the countryside, with its laidback vibes and simple, feel-good way of life. If you are looking for such vibes for your pre/post wedding photos, head to the St. Isidore Farm on the west coast of Jeju Island. Named after a Spanish saint, this farm offers bucolic backdrops for serene photographs. Don’t miss the only Ctesiphon house in South Korea. This small hut is built in the architectural style of Ctesiphon, a city in Baghdad and is a popular spot for wedding photography. The verdant slopes are home to cattle and horses, which will add a touch of the countryside to your photos. Cool off after all that posing in the sun with some lip-smacking homemade ice-cream, sold in the farm cafe. Look out for the milk carton shaped benches in the parking lot of the cafe. They are an ideal spot for fun photographs. If you want to cherish the memory of the Isidore Farm in a more tangible way, you can pick up one of the miniature Ctesiphon huts sold at the farm.

Ctesiphon Hut, Jeju Island 

Of Flowers and Forests

 

Continuing on the quiet country lanes, we come to two of the most beautiful locations in Jeju. These are both perfect for a pre or post wedding photo shoot. If you are fond of flowers (and who isn’t?) and want to strike a floral note in your wedding album, book yourself a trip to Camellia Hill. It is the largest camellia arboretum in the East and offers spectacular views throughout the seasons. The garden is at its most beautiful in the winter, for the cold makes the camellia blossoms more divine, their colours deeper and more fascinating. The red flowers offer beauty even after perishing from their branches, forming a flaming pathway that creates an illusion of warmth in the middle of the winter chill. The other three seasons are not far behind, presenting a smorgasbord of lovely blooms like hydrangeas, azaleas, cherry blossoms and tulips.

 

Saryeoni Forest Path 

If green is more to your taste, try the Saryeoni Forest Path and pretend to be spirits of the forest, embarking on a new life together. Japanese cedar, Hinoki cypress, Konara oak, Red-Leaved hornbeams are some of the trees that call this forest home. The nature of the forest has been painstakingly kept intact, so you might feel like you have somehow arrived at the beginning of time. Deer flit in an out of the green curtains and the silence is broken only by the murmur of winds and birds. There are benches in discreet corners, to rest your feet or perhaps lie down for a while, with your head on your beloved’s lap. As the photographer does his work, you can lose yourself in pleasant thoughts of your future together.

 

Added to an abundance of natural beauty are several other advantages that make Jeju Island a top draw for pre/post wedding photo shoots. Jeju is well connected by air. There are regular direct flights to Jeju from international cities like Tokyo, Beijing and Shanghai. South Korea also has an excellent domestic flight network. The visa requirements are liberal, which cuts down on the stress of planning a trip. There are terrific hotels all over Jeju, the largest island of South Korea. Last but not the least, some of the best Korean beauty products are made from the volcanic clay of Jeju. Which means you can pick up some great items for your trousseau!

 

What’s more, Jeju Island has a well-developed infrastructure and a host of service providers who can seamlessly arrange professional photo shoots. Whether you want a simple photo shoot or an elaborate, exotic photo album, you will find the perfect professional help. Let them handle your needs while you soak in the beautiful scenery and relax. For further information, assistance with itinerary planning, sample photos and great suggestions, contact the Korea Tourism Organization at their New Delhi office at india@knto.or.kr.