Couples that are looking for something very different from their usual surroundings are now considering the option of a destination wedding package. Part of this package includes the services of a professional photographer. In the west these photographs are usually taken on the day during the ceremony, be it in a 13th century gothic church or a shimmering white sandy beach in Australia.

In Asia the phenomenon known as destination wedding photography has a slight twist. Instead of the photographs were taken on the wedding day they are usually taken weeks or months in advance of the big day. This fashion of shooting pre wedding photographs in exotic locations is more popular in Asian countries like Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan and Malaysia than anywhere else in the world.

Many Asian couples are looking for exciting romantic fairytale European towns and cities to have their pre wedding destination photographs taken.

Central and Eastern Europe offer an unparallel choice of romantic fairytale settings. With centuries of history behind them cities like Budapest in Hungary, Prague in the Czech Republic, Vienna in Austria and Krakow in Poland have magnificent castles and cathedrals which provide the perfect backdrop for pre wedding photographs. Budapest in particular is a fantastic city at the heart of Eastern Europe; Known as the Paris of the east it has an amazing array of architectural styles including gothic, baroque and art nouveau.

Aside from the photographer and assistant most overseas pre wedding photography packages include the services of a professional makeup artist. The makeup artist plays an essential role in insuring that the couples look their very best for their pre wedding photographs. Usually the bride and groom bring their own wedding dresses of choice for the shoot although some photography packages also include the option of hiring wedding dresses and suits from a local wedding specialist. However in the end it's the professional photographer who's the dream maker creating memories the couple will look back on and treasure for a lifetime.

I have recently begun shooting overseas pre wedding photographs mainly for the Asian market in Budapest Hungary and surrounding Central European countries. Budapest in particular offers couples unparallel opportunities to shoot their dream like photos in numerous fairytale settings around the city such as at the Buda Castle, Fishermen's Bastion, the Chain Bridge, the Parliament and the Freedom monument just to name a few. Couples who have had their pre wedding destination photographs shot in Budapest have all agreed that this beautiful city far exceeded their wildest expectations.