Popular locations for wedding photographs in Taipei range from Yangmingshan, with its mountain scenes, to the landmark Taipei 101 building, Miramar Ferris Wheel, Longshan Temple, northern coast and seaside town of Tamsui.
In recent years the old district of Wanhua has gained popularity thanks to the box-office hit “Monga,” while some couples have pictures taken in the themed rooms of motels.
A variety of sites is important, according to industry experts. Zhou Tai-feng, head of a Taipei association of wedding picture studios, remarked that some engaged couples have a clear idea of where they want their pictures taken, while others rely on ideas from the studio.
Zhou explained that the more scenes in a couple’s album of wedding pictures the better. It is only a short ride from Yangmingshan to the north coast, where shots can be captured along the shore before heading to Fisherman’s Wharf in Tamsui or back to the streets of Taipei to have pictures taken in the evening. This is one of the most popular routes in planning wedding shots, Zhou said.
Ding Chen-ru, the owner of a wedding picture studio, added that shooting locations cannot be too far from Taipei. For instance, parks next to the Grand Hotel are a good choice because there is a nice natural setting with scenes of the hotel in the background. Tatung University along Zhongshan North Road is also a great place, she said, given the canopy of trees along the trails in the campus and the red brick buildings.
Other suitable places include Jingtong, the Taipei Botanical Garden, Taipei Water Museum, the township of Jiufen, Taipei Film House, Aletheia University, National Taiwan University and Fort San Domingo in Tamsui. Ding said the beauty of these places is such that it is almost impossible for the pictures not to come out lovely.
Some couples decide to have their photos taken at the place they first met. Zhou pointed to the example of a couple who put on their high school uniforms and had their wedding pictures taken next to a bus stop. Ding recalled a pair who met when taking diving lessons. Consequently, the groom wore shorts and the bride a simple veil for their pictures next to a pool.
(This article originally appeared in The Liberty Times July 3.)