As the wedding day approaches, brides and grooms-to-be seek that striking, yet familiar, ambience which sets their nuptials apart from the rest. Depending on the individual tastes and preferences, from modern to the traditional, Macau offers an array of venues that can act as a backdrop for photographs. Whether your dress is creme chiffon or bold chartreuse, staging wedding photos in most places in the enclave require no fees, and locations are painless to find. The Dom Pedro V Theatre ranks near the top of the list of places ideal for photographs on the Macau peninsula. The olive green stucco facade of this structure, which dates back to the 1800s, is a marvel to behold. As one of the oldest theatres in China, Dom Pedro is a reminder of a bygone era as the backdrop for timeless memories. Virtually every side of the theatre is worthy of note but the most renowned is the front entrance with its three-domed archways and neo-classical columns plastered in stark white and olive green. Bordered on all sides by cobblestone streets, Dom Pedro is stunning in daytime brilliance but is even more resonant in the late afternoon as the sun begins to fade. Although it is a part of Macau's Unesco World Heritage site, the theatre is an active centre for classical music concerts, and it is highly recommended that you seek permission from either the Macau Government Tourist Office or the government's Cultural Affairs Bureau for use of the inside of the building for wedding photos. For a more contemporary theme on the peninsula, there is the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre. As Macau's tallest landmark, the tower offers unrivalled panoramic views of the city and unusual opportunities for the adventurous. Daring couples can sample the view at the top and take in the thrill of life on the edge. While those with a more traditional heart can use the rear foyer as an ideal vantage point of the coastal scenery and the waterways in Macau. One little-known area for great shots is the broad walkway along the right side of the tower, which provides a view of the Sai Van Bridge leading to Taipa. The slope of the sun-dappled white arcs in the background, and the nearby reflection of light of the morning sunrise pass quickly, but it is well worth getting up early to get that perfect shot. For those wanting a more traditional theme, Our Lady of Carmel Church, Carmel Library and the adjacent Taipa Houses-Museum provide a backdrop of restored buildings, flora and an overall romantic setting. The church is on a small hill in old Taipa Village while the five houses, which comprise the museum, are a staircase away and rest in a small alcove alongside a pond filled with white lotus flowers and lily pads. The doors open to a palatial church with dark wooden floors and beams painted in pastel yellow and white. Carmo Church is a popular venue on weekends for taking photos, and the use of the inside of the church requires advance notice. Within a short walking distance from the church are two gardens where several large white embedded flower pots full of violet and indigo Madagascar periwinkles line a cobblestone pathway leading to a floral arch. Below the park are Macanese houses from the early 19th century. The green and white residences have an elongated porch which is suitable for a small group shot of the bride and her entourage. What is not to be missed is the winding staircase between the lower and upper parts of the compound. Lining the steps on both sides are aged trees with overhang offering shade and another photo opportunity. The nature and beauty of the Coloane coastal area offers one of the highlights of any photo tour in Macau. Virtually any one of the parks along the main road leading to the beaches can deliver a backdrop of wild flowers, shrubs and tropical trees. Alto de Coloane Park is the largest park in Macau and a favourite for hikers and other tourists wanting to ascend the 170-metre peak. At the top is the statue of the goddess A-Ma. Down below there are uninterrupted panoramic views of the island and A-Ma. In Coloane Village, take a walk around the square at the Chapel of St Francis Xavier. A cobblestone path, flanked on both sides by pale yellow and white domed pergolas, leads to the chapel, whose colour and setting appear made for photography. Sundays can be bustling with wedding parties in succession assembling on the front steps to capture their special moment. As the big day approaches each couple looks for something that sets their wedding apart. Flowers fade with time and the food becomes a distant memory. What linger are the images of the day which capture the time and moment. Macau Government Tourist Office www.macautourism.gov.mo mgto@macautourism.gov.mo +853 2831 5566 tourist hotline: +853 2833 3000