Till death do us part: Couple takes pre-wedding photos at Bukit Brown Cemetery

When it comes to pre-wedding shoots, a cemetery isn't the first place that comes to mind. 

But for Rainer Lay, 28, and Glenn Tan, 29, this was a location that just made sense. 

Glenn is the owner of Funeral Home Team while Rainer, an undertaker, is the goddaughter of Lee Teoh Heng Undertaker's boss. 

The couple will be tying the knot on Nov 26 but before that, they decided to hold a very unique and unconventional pre-wedding shoot at Bukit Brown Cemetery on Sept 18. 

Rainer shared some of the beautiful shots in a Facebook post last Friday (Oct 26). 

For the shoot, Rainer donned an elegant black sleeveless gown paired with a white headband, while Glenn wore a sleek maroon tuxedo with a black shirt and bow tie. 

In the background of their photos were two coffins — one black and one white — that were covered in flowers and used as props. 

"Definitely a more personalised photoshoot to incorporate our profession in this funeral trade. [It] reflects our personalities and [is] a meaningful way to celebrate our love and life at the same time," she wrote in the post. 

Why Bukit Brown Cemetery? 

Before proceeding with the shoot at Bukit Brown Cemetery, the couple also considered Mandai Crematorium, but the background was "not favourable", Rainer told AsiaOne. 

"We found the scenery at Bukit Brown much nicer. It brought out the natural, enchanted, woody, deep green [elements] which fit our gothic funeral-themed inspired shoot."

The idea of conducting their pre-wedding shoot at the cemetery didn't come to mind immediately either. 

"At first, we only wanted to do a normal pre-wedding shoot," Rainer shared. 

But they reconsidered after the photography company they engaged asked them to think of places they frequently hung out at or were meaningful to them. 

And for both of them, these places were related to the funeral industry. 

"I feel that a wedding shoot should be done in a way that brings the most memories," Rainer told us. 

"In the end, after our discussion, my partner and I came up with the idea of having a coffin-inspired shoot." 

Rainer also shared that a huge part of their lives revolve around their jobs. 

"Our work requires us to be on standby for 24 hours. We spend most of our time working, sometimes together.

"Work is a huge part of us. We face the deceased, coffins, and are at people's final resting places most of the time. This shoot helps to represent our work-life balance as well as love," Rainer said, adding that at times, their "dates" consisted of them just working together. 

While the coffins used in the shoot did add a nice touch to the photos, Rainer revealed that it was not easy incorporating them in. 

"It was kind of hard to use the coffins as props and in the backdrop. We needed to arrange the timing [to have them brought down]," Rainer told us, adding that her colleagues had to move the coffins to the shoot location. 

Understandably, this was physically taxing for them. 

"Especially when it was all done under the hot sun and the place was full of red ants and mosquitoes," said Rainer. 

And though their photos came out unique and represented their lifestyles well, the couple don't intend to replicate the theme during their actual wedding. 

"A wedding is still a joyous occasion. We will not have anything funeral-related on our wedding day," she told AsiaOne. 

"Anything related to a funeral is still a taboo to most people who are not in the funeral industry and it will be hard for them to open up to it. We want them to enjoy themselves and feel comfortable at the wedding." 

What about a gothic theme?

Earlier in April, another couple shared how their unconventional, gothic-themed wedding went. 

For the occasion, the groom donned a classic black tuxedo while the bride wore a black wedding and a black veil that was reminiscent of Morticia Addams from The Addams Family. 

In replacement of a traditional bouquet, the bride carried a creepy baby doll, while the groom had a walking stick topped with a baby head. 

For decor, the wedding aisle was paved with flameless candles and the reception table adorned with skulls, butterfly wings in a jar, spelled oil and taxidermy pieces. 

Guests even wrote their well-wishes in a guestbook that resembled an ouija board. 

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melissateo@asiaone.com