Pre-Wedding & Celebration Photography
A commemorative portrait, staged by a butler in a house of fireplaces and roses
About Pre-Wedding & Celebration Photography
Pre-Wedding & Celebration Photography is a use of the Manor for recording the milestones of life, from pre-wedding portraits to anniversaries, birthdays, sixtieth birthdays and family photographs, in an antique house in Odaiba. Photographs are taken with your own camera or smartphone, or by a photographer you bring with you.
From the double doors to the Lounge, the story of an arrival can be captured in sequence
Celebration photography is not only a formal portrait facing the camera; it is time to record, in one continuous sequence, the door opening, the two of you walking, receiving the roses and taking your seats. Your butler opens the French oak double doors, leads you to the Dining Room dressed with roses, and before the fireplace arranges the chairs so a little space opens between the two of you.
In the Study, a quiet frame with a letter or a book in hand; in the Wardrobe, the scene of dressing; in the gallery, family drawing near. In the same attire, standing, sitting, turning and joining hands each change the expression of a photograph. Your butler prepares the next scene in advance and keeps the photographer's path clear.
You are welcome to bring your own attire. Using the mirror and clothes rail, your butler checks hem, collar and cuffs. One full set of morning coat is included, though sizes and styles are limited. Please tell us your height and clothing size before booking. Other sizes may also be discussed.
Pre-wedding, anniversary and family photographs each suit a different setting
| Occasion | Suited setting | The butler's gestures | People |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-wedding portraits | Double doors, Lounge, Dining Room | Opening the door, presenting roses, drawing out a chair. The same gestures are performed slowly so the moments before and after your eyes meet can be captured in sequence | 2 to 6 |
| Wedding anniversary | Dining Room, Lounge | Roses placed at your two seats, tea brought to the table. If you bring an item marking the year of your wedding, it is photographed on the table with your hands | 2 |
| Birthday | Dining Room | Your butler arranges the items you bring and the candles. A group photograph before the candles are blown out, and the guest of honour turning round, are taken separately | 2 to 6 |
| 60th, 70th and 88th birthdays | Lounge, Study | The chair of the person celebrating is placed at the centre and the family arranged around it. Positions are checked on screen so seated and standing faces do not overlap | 3 to 6 |
| Family photographs and Shichi-go-san | Dining Room, gallery | Standing and seated rows are arranged according to the family's heights. A frame looking to camera and a frame looking towards the child are taken in sequence | 3 to 6 |
| Coming of age and graduation | Study, Wardrobe | The backdrop is chosen to suit the colour of the formal dress. Sleeves and hems are arranged, and hands holding a certificate or keepsake are recorded too | 1 to 4 |
Up to six people. From the fifth person, ¥5,800 (tax included) is added per person.
From the double doors to the Study, the passage of time in four scenes
The Double Doors
The double doors are where the beginning of your visit becomes a single frame.
Read more
The Lounge
The Lounge makes it easy to combine seated and standing figures. The person celebrating takes the seat of honour, the others gather near the sofa, and we find the angle at which no face or shoulder overlaps.
Read more
The Dining Room
The Dining Room suits a group photograph of up to six and a seated portrait of two.
Read more
The Study
The Study suits a composed frame with a letter, certificate or keepsake in hand.
Read more
Your own attire and the morning coat are confirmed separately in advance
| Your own attire | Dresses, kimono and commemorative outfits are welcome. Please tell us when booking the number of outfits, what is needed for changing, and the length of any train. |
|---|---|
| Full morning coat set | The three-hour session includes one set. As sizes and styles are limited, we confirm height and usual clothing size in advance. |
| Where to change | Using the mirror and clothes rail in the Wardrobe, attire for before and after the session is kept separate. Please keep valuables and props together in one place you can see. |
| Hems and collars | Your butler does not alter the attire itself, but arranges hem, collar, cuffs and hat immediately before the photograph, always asking first before touching. |
| Footwear and movement | When moving through the Manor, hem and footing are checked. Leaving the Manor in the attire requires a butler's company and prior permission. |
| The family's attire | Where colours or brightness differ greatly, positions are changed so no face is lost in shadow. Please decide the main subject's attire first, then discuss the family's arrangement. |
Included in the three hours
- Three hours in the Manor, with scene changes between the double doors, Dining Room, Lounge, Study, Wardrobe and more
- One butler for welcome, doors, roses, chairs, hems, tea and the safe handling of the furnishings
- One full set of morning coat.
- A scene of roses from the Manor presented by hand, and arrangement of chairs and table
- Continuous lighting, softbox, power, mirror, clothes rail and a place to change
What to bring
- Please bring your camera or smartphone, charger, spare batteries and memory cards.
- You may bring a hair and make-up artist, but they count towards the number of people.
- You are welcome to bring food and drink, but the Manor does not cook or serve meals
- Leaving the Manor in the attire requires a butler's company and prior permission.
- Photography in every space of the Manor (the couple plus up to 4 companions)
- A butler to assist with staging and photography
- One set of butler attire included
- Scene changes to your wishes: double doors, Lounge, Dining Room and more
- Changing, and a check of hem, collar and cuffs before each photograph
- 6 hours ¥166,800 / extension ¥16,800 per hour
Three hours are given in turn to dressing, five scenes and reviewing the images
Check attire and belongings
Your butler welcomes you and shows you where to place attire, camera equipment, keepsakes and food and drink. We confirm the main subject and the priority of the compositions you wish to take.
Change and set the light
While attire is arranged before the mirror, the photographer prepares equipment in the first space. Your butler checks the walkways and the position of power points.
Capture the beginning at the double doors
Before the door opens, the moment it opens, and the first steps are taken separately. The hem is kept clear of the door and the same movement is repeated as often as needed.
Photograph the main subject in the Lounge
Hands receiving the roses, the face as the eyes lift, the figure taking a seat, in sequence. Family members are repositioned so they do not overlap behind the main subject.
Photograph everyone in the Dining Room
A group photograph of up to six and a seated frame. Everyone's expression, attire and hands are checked enlarged on the camera screen.
QMay I bring a wedding dress?
You are welcome to. Using the mirror and clothes rail, your butler arranges hem, collar and cuffs immediately before the photograph. Please tell us when booking the number of outfits and what is needed for changing. Hem and footing are checked when moving.
QMay I bring a cake to photograph?
You are welcome to bring food and drink. If you wish to use the silver or porcelain, please tell us in advance what you will bring and its size. The Manor does not cook or serve meals.
QWhat if it rains?
Photography inside the Manor goes ahead. If you had planned outdoor photographs, we reconfirm on the day which indoor scenes to prioritise. Before wet attire or belongings are brought inside, your butler shows you where to place them.
QWhat makes pre-wedding photography here different?
The Manor is yours alone, and antique furnishings and a butler's gestures can be captured in a single scene. As your butler opens the door, presents the roses and draws out the chair, you can record not only standing poses but movement in progress.
QHow many people can be photographed, including family?
Up to six, including the photographer and anyone accompanying you. From the fifth person, ¥5,800 (tax included) is added per person. For family photographs we ask first about the main subject and the arrangement.
QMay I request a female butler?
The butlers who attend your celebration include both male and female butlers. Queen's Butler is operated by the Japan Butler Association, a general incorporated association.
About using The Studio
- The manor is never let unattended. A butler is present for every booking, and keys are not handed over
- You are welcome to bring your own food and drink. We do not provide meals
- Please use the antique furnishings under the butler's guidance. The armour, hall clock, porcelain and silver are handled by the butler
- Please consult us in advance about loud sound or the use of naked flames
- Prices shown include tax
About the attire
- Sizes and styles are limited. Before booking, please tell us your height and usual clothing size
- Please ask about sizes other than those listed
You may also wish to read
The bouquet of roses is presented by your butler.
Tell us the occasion, the number of people, the attire and your preferred dates and times. Your butler will suggest the staging and confirm availability.