We get this question a lot at Revvind. Couples book us for destination wedding Mallorca celebrations and then ask: “Should we do an engagement session, a pre-wedding photoshoot… or both?”
Here’s a clear, experience-driven guide from our team — what each shoot is, how they feel on the day, where we love to photograph in Mallorca, and how to decide what’s right for you.
What Each Session Actually Is
What is an Engagement Photoshoot?
- Timing: Usually soon after the proposal. It celebrates the “we said yes!” moment.
- Mood: Real-life, relaxed, lots of laughter and movement. Think you two on a date, with a camera tagging along.
- Styling: Everyday chic — clothes you’d actually wear.
- Use: Perfect for save-the-date photos Mallorca, the wedding website, invitations and social announcements.
- Where: Places that mean something — your favorite café corner in Palma Old Town, a morning walk in Valldemossa, a Port de Sóller engagement session on the pier at sunset.
If you’ve just popped the question and need a proposal photographer Mallorca or an engagement photographer Mallorca who’ll stay discreet but give real direction afterward — we’ve done this hundreds of times and we’ll guide you through it.
What is a Pre-Wedding Photoshoot?
- Timing: Weeks or months before the wedding date.
- Mood: Planned, styled, often editorial — portraits with a concept.
- Styling: Elevated looks, two outfits, maybe florals or a veil. Hair & makeup artist recommended.
- Use: Large prints for your reception space, a fine-art album, a slideshow, or décor for the guestbook table.
- Where: Iconic Mallorca backdrops: Cap de Formentor engagement-style looks on the cliffs, Son Marroig pre-wedding portraits at golden hour, Es Trenc pre-wedding beach portraits in the dunes, or a Deià & Cala Deià editorial couple shoot among stone and sea.
If you love the idea of editorial pre-wedding photography Mallorca — clean, cinematic, magazine-level images — this is your lane.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Purpose & Feel
- Timing
Pre-wedding: closer to the wedding date, once outfits and concept are set.
- Wardrobe & Styling
Pre-wedding: elevated looks, bouquet/veil/props welcome; consider HMUA.
- Locations
Pre-wedding: iconic, dramatic sets (Formentor cliffs, Son Marroig, Es Trenc at sunset).
- Deliverables & Usage
Pre-wedding: framed prints for reception, hero images for a slideshow, fine-art album spreads.
- Logistics & Budget
When to Choose Which
Choose an Engagement Session if…
- You want to announce the news and get comfortable on camera before the wedding.
- You love candid chemistry in real-life locations.
- You need images early for save-the-dates and your wedding site.
- You want coaching on posing and natural direction with low pressure.
Choose a Pre-Wedding Session if…
- You want editorial portraits at a dream Mallorca location, with elevated styling.
- You’d love large prints at the reception and a fine-art album.
- You want to test hair/makeup and choose a look with our guidance.
- You’re excited about sunrise cliffs or sunset dunes with a planned concept.
Do Both — Here’s How to Combine Smartly
- Short engagement now, right after the proposal — Palma Old Town + a seaside walk.
- Creative pre-wedding photoshoot Mallorca closer to the date — Formentor cliffs or Son Marroig at golden hour with styled outfits.
- Optional add-on: a 60–90 second film for either session. Photo + video keeps the story consistent.
- This solves the “pre-wedding vs engagement session” debate and gives you two different looks with zero redundancy.
Best Mallorca Locations (with real-world notes)
We’ve scouted the island end to end. Here are some of the best locations in Mallorca for engagement photos and for styled pre-wedding portraits. We’ll choose based on light, access and how private you want the moment to feel.
Engagement-friendly (meaningful & easy)
- Palma Old Town – Arcades, courtyards, soft shade all day. Great for morning walks and coffee-stop candids.
- Valldemossa – Quiet lanes early; classic stone for Valldemossa engagement photos that feel timeless.
- Port de Sóller – Piers, boats, the vintage tram. Sunset turns the bay into a mirror; perfect for a relaxed engagement photos Mallorca route.
Pre-wedding icons (editorial & dramatic)
- Cap de Formentor – Cinematic cliffs with copper light at day’s end. Windswept, bold, unforgettable.
- Son Marroig – The marble pavilion with sea views — pre-wedding photoshoot Mallorca royalty.
- Es Trenc – Dune paths and turquoise shallows for pre-wedding beach portraits with minimalist elegance.
- Deià & Cala Deià – Olive terraces, stone alleys, a tucked-away cove for an editorial couple shoot that still feels intimate.
Styling & Prep (so you look like you — only better)
Engagement styling
- Palette: neutrals + texture (linen, cotton, soft knits).
- One hero piece: a hat, a jacket, or a scarf; keep logos minimal.
- Shoes: bring “walk shoes” and “photo shoes.”
- Hair/Makeup: natural, wind-friendly; matte base and a little anti-shine.
This reads clean in any engagement photos Mallorca setting and moves well on camera.
Pre-wedding styling
- Elevated silhouettes: clean lines, tailored suits, or a bridal-adjacent dress.
- Accessories: veil/bouquet, statement earrings, a jacket for variety.
- Consider HMUA: we can connect you with trusted artists for editorial pre-wedding photography Mallorca.
- Transport & changes: plan a car for quick outfit swaps and a garment bag.
Timing the Light (Mallorca specifics)
We build around golden hour for both sessions. As a rule:
- Spring: flexible; sunset around 7:00–8:00 PM.
- Summer: shoot late or at sunrise; beaches are quieter early.
- Autumn: the sweet spot — soft light, warm sea.
- Winter: painterly light most of the day; earlier sunset.
This is why golden hour engagement photos Mallorca look so good — soft skin, glowing stone, and seas that turn to glass.
How We Work on the Day
- Direction without awkwardness. We use simple prompts: walk/talk, look-back, jacket adjust, cheek-to-temple, hands-through-hair.
- Micro-sets. Standing, seated, leaning; stairs, rails, doorways. We move quickly so you stay in the moment.
- Backups. Shade plans for summer, wind-sheltered corners for cliffs, arcades for surprise showers.
- Delivery. Images ready for save-the-dates and reception prints; optional short film.
This isn’t about stiff posing. It’s about photographs — and sometimes video — that feel like you.
Costs, Packages & What Makes Sense
We keep things transparent and custom. Some couples book only an engagement session with a proposal photographer Mallorca. Others choose the creative route and build engagement and pre-wedding packages Mallorca with photo + a one-minute film. If you’re planning a destination wedding Mallorca, we’ll fold sessions into your wedding-week timeline, so logistics feel easy and we don’t repeat locations.
Quick Decision Guide
- We just got engaged and want natural photos to share. → Engagement shoot in Palma/Valldemossa/Port de Sóller.
- We want magazine-level portraits at an iconic location. → Pre-wedding photoshoot Mallorca at Formentor/Son Marroig/Es Trenc/Deià.
- We want both stories, without overlap. → Short engagement now + styled pre-wedding later (two outfits, different locations).
- We’re shy in front of a camera. → Engagement first; it’s the best warm-up for wedding day portraits Mallorca.
FAQs
What’s the real difference between engagement and pre-wedding shoots?
Engagement = candid celebration soon after the proposal. Pre-wedding = planned, styled portraits before the wedding. That’s the core of the difference between engagement and pre-wedding shoot.
How far in advance should we book?
Engagement: as soon as you have dates (especially if you want sunrise at a beach). Pre-wedding: 4–10 weeks out to secure permits, styling, HMUA.
Can we bring two outfits?
Yes — especially for pre-wedding. We design color and texture around the backdrop.
Do you help with locations & permits?
Absolutely. We suggest routes, check access, and handle realistic timing.
Can we add video?
Yes — engagement mini-film or pre-wedding highlight pairs beautifully with photos.
Ready to Plan?
If you’re choosing between an engagement vs pre-wedding photoshoot, know that there isn’t a wrong answer — only the story that fits you best. If you want candid warmth in meaningful places, book an engagement photographer Mallorca with us via /proposals. If editorial, iconic portraits are your dream, explore options with your Mallorca wedding photographer team.
Whichever you choose, we’ll map the light, the route, and the feel — so you can be present while we do what we do best.