27 Stunning Locations for Pre Wedding Photography in Penang

Penang’s George Town is known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great place for food — don’t miss our guides to iconic Penang food and Penang best breakfast. Penang couples love to take pictures with the unique antique buildings along the streets of George Town. The old facades and architectural styles are a special part of Penang’s special heritage. Not only that, but George Town is also filled with interesting mural paintings too.

Photographer Sunny Tan of Sunnysan Photography says that Armenian Street is in highest demand, together with Muntri Street and its surroundings, and of course, all the colonial buildings set along Beach Street. Considered as “bank street” for the presence of many local branches of international banks, it’s a hot spot for Penang pre wedding photoshoots thanks to its many historical buildings. One last interesting area is Lebuh Carnarvon and the web of lanes that jut from its sides.

Don’t even think of staying at this old hotel that’s been hosting budget Penang backpackers for decades, but definitely consider coming here for some amazing pre wedding pictures, suggests Penangite and wedding photographer Kenn Foo. Hang Chow Hotel’s ground floor still looks like a traditional kopitiam of old, with stone and mahogany tables, Peranakan tiles, and columns studded with old-world mosaics. One of the photographic highlights is the left-hand wall with the staircase leading on the first floor, where the actual hotel is. The multi-coloured tiles make for a very dynamic, impressive background.

Kenn Foo also suggests stopping at the heritage bicycle shop along Armenian Street. The place is literally a “polished junkyard” filled with old-timer bicycles and memorabilia hanging from the walls and the ceiling. Give a bright-coloured gown to the bride, set up some flashlights, and you’ll get an amazing play of shadows and contrasts.

Heritage, Colonial and Vintage Locations for Pre Wedding Photoshoot Packages in Penang

The Pinang Peranakan Mansion is an old mansion turned museum that, according to Vernon from Momento Wedding Photography, has a beautiful oriental vintage theme for a pre wedding photoshoot. The interior is full of old antiques and testifies the truly unique old Penang Baba-Nyonya culture — a fusion of Straits Chinese and Malay culture. Every corner of the mansion offers stunning opportunities to create very elegant touches in every pre wedding photos. Once in Penang, you shouldn’t give the Peranakan Mansion a miss.

Tan Jetty is one of the six clan jetties strung along Weld Quay, on the coastal side of George Town near the Penang Ferry jetty. Tan Jetty is — luckily — not as popular as the overtouristed Chew Jetty, but it has its own uniqueness. Penang wedding photographers and couples love the long stretch of unbarricaded bridge that goes all the way to the end. It is simple, clean and of course, a unique Penang cityscape.

This hotel on the edge of George Town is studied to be like an English Mansion that feels like a long-lost home, and it’s a perfect pre wedding photoshoot venue if your idea is creating dreamy, cinematographic images that enhance darkly coloured gowns. The interior design is a mix of classic and neo-noir, perfect to create images with suffused lights and play with contrasts and shadows, says Timmy Khong of Tie the Knot Photography.

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Few other locations in Penang Island are as symmetrical and secluded as the main Indian temple near Botanical Gardens and the entrance to Penang Hill’s Moongate and station 5 Hike. Timmy Khong of Tie the Knot Photography loves to shoot here as there are no other modern building around the 21-meters-high gopuram of the temple, which makes it definitely picture-perfect. Consider that it’s also in walking distance to the Botanical Gardens, and can be easily combined with a pre wedding photoshoot in that location.

Well, it may be a bit overly choreographed, but if you and your partner are after an Old China—Colonial Shanghai vibe, photographer Kenn Foo also suggests organizing your Penang pre wedding photo shoot using the interiors of Manchu Bar. With its profusion of hanging Chinese paper lanterns, dim lights, atmospheric shabby-chich furniture mixing with vintage chairs and paper umbrellas make for a perfect setting if you want edgy, dramatic photographs that play with contrasts, light, and look exquisitely vintage China.

If your dream is seeing your husband or wife “pimped up” as the proverbial Prince and Princess on a horse, look no further than Countryside Stables in Balik Pulau. Timmy Khong of Tie the Knot Photography love coming to this farm with couples as the horses just add that regal, unique edge to any pre wedding photography. “And they have ponies too, which are too cute to shoot around the couple,” he says. The surrounding paddy fields are also a clever secondary locations you may want to use.

Incredible Skyline and Scenic Views for Pre Wedding Photoshoot Locations in Penang

“The icon of Penang offers photographers a beautiful, clean background,” says Penang wedding photographer Timmy Khong of Tie the Knot Photography.
Stretching for 13,5 kilometres across the Straits Sea from George Town to Butterworth, the Penang Bridge offers a chance to create stunning sea views and a characteristic background that stands up to other famous pre wedding photography overseas destination. What’s more, says Timmy, is that catching a boat to capture that perfect shot, couples may even be greeted by dolphins. And if you are adventurous enough, why don’t you boat all the way to Pulau Aman? This car-free island is perfect for unique sea-themed images.

READ MORE — How to Catch the Penang Ferry 

Penang’s highest building at 232-meters offers unparalleled views over George Town and the northern side of the island from the 68th floor. The TOP offers the Rainbow Skywalk, Asia’s highest glass walkway, and a skyscraper-top terrace and restaurant where, if you don’t suffer vertigo, you can get some powerful shots — especially using the city lights after the sunset.

READ MORE — 13 Great Things to Do at KOMTAR

The Helipad on the top of St. Giles Wembley Hotel is right next to KOMTAR and offer similar outstanding views over George Town and the Straits of Melaka. Photographer Sunny Tan says that, in his opinion, compared to the Top at KOMTAR, St. Giles Wembley Hotel’s helipad has more choices of angles for shooting incredible pre wedding photos.

The viewing platform on top of Penang Hill is a perfect vantage point to see most of George Town nestling against the island’s northeastern coast. You can see the First Penang Bridge and the Straits Sea, crisscrossed by the iconic Penang Ferry — which looks like a mini replica from up here. Early morning is great for sunrise pre wedding shooting, provided the couple is OK with waking up very early to catch the first train up Penang Hill at 6 am. Sunset is another good option, but be mindful of the crowds here — too many tourists and people would inevitably ruin your pre wedding photoshoot.

READ MORE — The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Penang Hill

Beautiful Beach Pre Wedding Photoshoot Locations in Penang

Tanjung Tokong Beach is not just yet another Penang Beach, as it has different elements to it, say Vernon of Momento Wedding Photography. This beach has an abandoned building — an iconic WWII shelter —, a stretch of round, dark boulders on each side, and often one can find colourful sampans (traditional small fishermen boats) lined up along the shore. The best is going in the morning to catch the natural beautiful sunlight and avoid the crowd, otherwise, for a cinematic experience, come at sunset and wait for the Pandora tree of Penang Avatar Secret Garden to light up.

Vernon also suggests Batu Ferringhi as it’s less crowded, and it’s just right behind Shangri-la Rasa Sayang Hotel, Shangri-la Golden Sand Hotel, Lone Pine Beach Hotel, or even Hard rock hotel — which can always be good to take some pictures of yourself and partner. The hotels nearby also mean that in the early morning, the place is safer because monitored by their security systems and guards.

Timmy Khong of Tie the Knot Photography also says that Batu Ferringhi beach looks different throughout the year due to the tides and gives him chances to portrait couples in a relaxing and lovely environment, especially during sunset. “Every sunset is unique, we are surprised every time, for each couple will get a uniquely coloured sky”.

READ MORE Best Hotels in Batu Ferringhi

This spot is near the entrance of the “Hutan Simpanan” Protection Jungle, better known as Penang National Park, near to Teluk Bahang and Escape Theme Park (a great thing to do in Penang with kids). “End of World” means the end of the area inhabited by the people of Penang (which starts in Batu Maung) and there’s a restaurant with the same name here. The spot to take great pre wedding photos here is a fishing jetty which. Sunny Tan says this is a very good spot to capture a sunset scene.

Stunning Natural Pre Wedding Photoshoot Locations in Penang

The lush greenery and collection of tropical plants and spices at this famous park on the way to Batu Ferringhi offer a clean and simple setting. The dark green background makes the couples stand out very nicely in most photos, suggests Vernon. Not only that, but the Tropical Spice Garden has a beautiful lake and a big swing for that special element in your frame. Simple, minimalist and natural: the perfect match for any Penang pre wedding photoshoot.

The Botanical Gardens is a very popular place for Penangnites to go working out and jogging, brisk walking, do taichi etc. Many people, however, don’t know that there’s a beautiful hidden spot at the top of the hill inside the gardens. Vernon of Momento Wedding Photography suggests going at the beginning of the year when the weather is a bit hotter. This makes the grass and leaves dry up, helping Penang wedding photographers achieve a surreal autumn feel and effects in their shots.

READ MORE – Best Things to Do at Penang Botanical Gardens

Tucked away in a non-descript suburban area on the fringes of George Town, Suffolk House is a stately colonial mansion and also one of the best Western restaurants in Penang. The place is popular, and certainly one of Malaysia’s most famous wedding venues: it’s set next to the lush gardens behind Taman Doby Ghaut, where cows roam freely, and the Air Hitam river flows almost undisturbed — believe us or not, we saw wild otters running around here. The perk of coming here for a pre wedding photoshoot is capturing the giant trees and the old bridge strung over the river — one hidden spot that even few locals know about, and makes instead for some very powerful images.

Vernon of Momento Wedding Photography also suggests Teluk Bahang Dam as a beautiful hidden spot for a natural pre wedding photoshoot. The dam is huge, with streams running down the viridian hills behind it. In the right season — check the best time to visit Penang here — you may also catch Dragon Boats float on the dam, adding a very special detail to your pre wedding images. Vernon also says that this is a nice option for couples who love a simple and clean background.

Timmy Khong of Tie the Knot Photography suggested this hidden spot, a resort built over a lush hill in Sungai Ara, in the southern part of Penang island. There are six incredibly beautiful villas here, which all mix wood with modern furnishings, and are a delight to photograph. Timmy loves the brown and green contrasts, and says that when couples get here, out of the city, it’s easier to capture them in a moment of intimacy for more realistic portraits.

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We have already spelt out the best reasons to visit the Habitat on Penang Hill, but a pre wedding photoshoot can easily be another one.
The Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk is the highest point in Penang island, perfect to shoot beautiful natural panoramas that blend the canopy of Penang’s oldest rainforest with the blue backdrop of the Straits Sea and Gunung Jerai, in Kedah, in the distance. Otherwise, the Habitat has a beautiful walk and also Flight of the Colugo, an exciting zip-line for some very different images.

Penang has some beautiful jungles, and not using their features in a pre wedding photoshoot is a big mistake. Timmy Khong of Tie the Knot Photography suggests shooting at the Batu Ferringhi Waterfall as the frame with the sunset falling right behind the well-positioned rocks and water flow is perfect for his shooting style. The sunset is the best time to visit, as the rocks glow in reddish hues, adding great vibrance to any image.

Kenn Foo suggests this luxurious boutique hotel in Balik Pulau, a real slice of Northern Thailand in Penang — the resort is made up by some delightful, entirely reconstructed North Thai-Lanna cottages set in the starking contrast of Penang’s jungle. Tucked on top of a hill surrounded by durian plantations, Malihom is also a perfect spot for pre wedding photography in Penang, as you’ll be able to capture beautiful natural spots against backgrounds dotted with those beautiful Thai mansions.

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Beautiful Pre Wedding Photoshoot Locations in Seberang Perai

Penang island has many good locations for your pre wedding photoshoot, but don’t underestimate the attractions in the mainland of Seberang Perai. Smaller towns like Bukit Mertajam, Nibong Tebal, and Penaga have a few other impressive locations that make for ideal (and original) pre wedding images in Penang. And if you are a sports lover, check out our guide to the best hikes in Seberang Perai, such as the easy and scenic Bukit Juru, perfect for beginners, the Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest, or Bukit Panchor State Park.

Vernon of Moment Wedding Photography loves England House, a terrace villa with huge surrounding land. Born to be a guesthouse, it quickly transformed into a dedicated venue for wedding receptions and photo shoots. The place itself is a treasure trove of vintage Malaysiana, with a wealth of decorative items and perfect scenes built and thought by the owner, a former wedding photographer. Don’t forget that’s also a gorgeous venue for a wedding set up.

This unused quarry became famous on Instagram thanks to the many locals who loved to photograph its wide, ever-changing pools. As Bayz Beh of Bayz Creative Photography says, Frog Hill lake’s colour turns from green to aqua and turquoise depending on the weather, and it’s super clear. To be honest, this location is a bit hard to get to — be prepared for dust or a lot of mud if you decide to come during the rainy season — but it certainly offers a chance to catch some stunning pre wedding photographs. If you want to visit, read our complete guide to Frog Hill.

Both Balik Pulau on the island and the surroundings of Seberang Jaya are filled with paddy fields, one of Malaysia’s quintessential landscapes.
Sunny Tan of Sunnysan Photography says that it’s best to come here in the early morning if you want to catch a hazy, sunny atmosphere, while sunsets are ideal to capture the couple against a burning sky.

READ MORE — Best Eats and Things to Do in Balik Pulau