Hello Muse - Korean Pre-Wedding Photography Review Pt. I

Before I dive into my review of Hello Muse's pre-wedding photography services, I would like to share a few details of our journey from engagement to marriage. ​

When Dave and I became engaged earlier this year, we quickly made the decision to forgo the traditional ceremony/reception and opted for a simple courthouse wedding along with a dream honeymoon + pre-wedding photo session in Korea. Why? Because it made financial sense for us (I recently purchased a home) and we wanted to share the whole process with our closest friends and family. We were initially met with a lot of criticism for our decision, but we learned to take their comments in stride and not let it get in the way of what was important: the love we had for one another and what made us happy. 

So on to the review! You may be wondering. What exactly IS pre-wedding photography? This is a special type of photo session that is very popular in Asian countries and takes place at least a year before the actual wedding date. I can understand how confusing this practice may be for many since it means the bride must wear a wedding dress in front of her groom before they get hitched - *gasp* isn't it bad luck? But remember, the actual wedding day can be hectic for the bride and groom. It could be difficult to find time out of mingling with guests and coordinating vendors to take photographs without feeling rushed. That's where pre-wedding photography come in! During this session, the couple takes their time (about 4-6 hours) in a quiet, intimate setting to snap high quality, themed photos. The final copies can also be used as part of planning for their big day. I've attended a few weddings where the photo were incorporated into save-the-date invitations or elegantly showcased as canvas decorations at the reception. 

Why did I choose Korea? I was inspired by Youtuber Bubzbeauty's gorgeous pre-wedding session a few years ago. You can check it out in her video below: 

After doing a bit of research into Korean pre-wedding studios, I came across Hello Muse. I immediately fell in love with their portfolio and made sure their company was legitimate by carefully reading up on client reviews via their social media pages. 

I submitted an inquiry in July and received a swift response from Anna, one of their English speaking staff, within a day. She kindly answered all of my questions and provided clear information on pricing options for each studio. After selecting a standard photography package, Anna sent me a contract to sign and our session was confirmed within a week. At this point, I could not wait for our trip in November! Four months seemed like an eternity...

Our Hello Muse package details:

- Studio: Obramaestra 
- Dress Shop:Kim Mi Sook 
- Make-up/ Hair (for both bride and groom): En Cloe 
- Transportation from Hello Muse office to studio 
- Snack box for Dave and I 
- 4 hours of studio photography 
- Bridal Assistant for touchups on makeup/outfit
- 30 page hardcover photo album 
- 1 large framed canvas 
- CD of 30 high-quality edited images
- All 500+ unedited JPEG images 
- Video by Special Film 
- Express Mail Delivery Service 

Stay tuned for my next blog post where I share some sneak preview photos along with details on what exactly happened during my session. :)

If you have taken pre-wedding photography in the past, please do not hesitate to share your experience with me in the comments section below. Thank you very much for reading!