Many think that Singapore’s utterly devoid of any picturesque picnic spots. Not true at all: we’ve got a few picture-perfect places for you to bring the full picnic setup – basket, rug, and all. Much like a K-drama, all these picnic spots have stunning scenery so you’re sure to be sharing a few heartfelt moments in style.
From sprawling fields of greenery to an Orchard Road rooftop garden, here are 5 secret picnic spots for your next couple photoshoot in Singapore:
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No one would’ve thought that this unassuming heartlander park was filled with such picturesque scenery, but with its cobblestoned bridge and quaint moss-covered pond? Toa Payoh Town Park is a scene straight out of a Korean period drama. You can almost envision figures moving around gracefully in hanboks.
But we sat ourselves down and had a picnic instead.
While there’s no shortage of grassy picnicking spots, here’s a tip: the hexagonal enclave by the pond is quiet with few passersby plus it looks great in photos.
Outfit styling
Her sandals have a subtle shimmer, almost like golden snakeskin.
To fit in with the rustic charm of Toa Payoh Town Park, both outfits were casual but chic – all in neutral shades of white, beige, and grey. Wardrobe staples like a striped tank top and flowy high-waisted pants lent her an effortless look, especially when paired with her one-strap Birkenstock Magic Snake Madrid in Gold ($109).
As a random street in between one-north and Buona Vista, Portsdown Road is a nature haven for those deprived of towering trees and fields of green. There’s even an old water tank that has just the right touch of rust – for that vintage feel. While this area’s filled with quaint cafes, pull yourself up a picnic rug and settle in one of the many light-filled clearings.
If you wander through, you’ll eventually stumble upon a cluster of colonial-style buildings. These are the perfect backdrop for your couple shoot, with its classic black-and-white tones and rustic window shutters.
Outfit styling
With the flowy vintage of the ‘50s in mind, we went with a cream linen dress for her and a draped striped outershirt for him. She matched her outfit with a pair of Birkenstock Arizona Big Buckle in Zinfandel ($199) – with a retro edge from its rich burgundy tones and oversized rose gold buckles.
Many Korean drama-inspired shoots take place amidst lush greenery and streaming sunlight, but newly-opened Design Orchard proves otherwise – its minimalistic design and neutral tones are more than enough to reenact the stylish city life of an ulzaang girl.
It’s in the middle of Orchard Road, with a sloped rooftop that offers a sanctuary for those exhausted from the frenzy of everyday life. If you head up to the very top floor, there’s a hidden garden that’s filled with creeping vines and giant pots filled with aquatic plants.
Peek around the corner for this Instagrammable backdrop: it’s a grey concrete slab that’s filled with circular openings – some for light to shine through and others to reflect.
Outfit styling
As a nod to the building’s stunning architecture, we went for a modern but playful look. She had on cream overalls with a bright red striped tee, while he had on understated basics. The real star of the show? Her Birkenstock Daytona Papilio in Eyes White ($149). These came with cutesy eye motifs, complete with blue shades and eyelashes.
To capture those period drama feels, it’s Chinese and Japanese Gardens you’re after. With intricate white railings and a vibrantly-coloured pagoda rising in the background, it’s almost as if you’ve stepped foot into Korea, circa imperial dynasty.
While there are plenty of nice spots for a picnic, it’s this grassy patch by the white rainbow bridge that we made a beeline for. The bridge connects Chinese Garden to Japanese Garden, so you can still see towering pagodas in the distance.
Outfit styling
The grounds of Chinese and Japanese Gardens are so stunning that we kept our outfits fairly simple – but with a pop of colour from her yellow jumpsuit. Her Birkenstock Arizona in Metallic Copper ($159) and his Birkenstock Arizona in Sandwashed Blue ($149) also added to the tranquil picnicking grounds.
Many often overlook Telok Blangah Hill Park for its next-door neighbours, Henderson Waves and Mount Faber Park. But this park has plenty of charm on its own, with cascading staircases and vibrant pink bougainvillea.
The Terrace Garden has semi-circular terraces for you to stroll by together hand-in-hand and have D&M conversations, much like what what lead characters of a Korean romance epic do when they first meet.
Outfit styling
We went for flowy, romantic vibes to complement the old-school park grounds; pink and white pastels in a field of flowers. But of course, the standout item was her Birkenstock Gizeh Milky Way ($139) – its red jewel tones and glossy sheen tied the entire look together, lending a modern edge to an otherwise feminine look.
Singapore’s not exactly known for their picnics spots: instead, this little red dot of ours is known for urban skyscrapers and bustling traffic. But look hard enough, and you’ll find these peaceful plots – all scattered around the nooks and crannies of our city.
Since all spots offer up scenery that’s K-drama worthy, take the chance to dress up in practical but stylish clothes. Hint: that means comfortable footwear, so no pointy stilettos or clunky platforms. Sandals from Birkenstock will add that much-needed flair to any outfit.
Whether it’s a retro pair with big buckles or a rose gold pair with a metallic sheen, there’ll be a pair that matches with the exact look you’re going for, no matter if it’s a lovey-dovey theme or a lost in the woods aesthetic. Each pair comes with a comfortable suede base – although already cushion-soft, it gets even softer once worn in.
From fields of vibrantly pink flowers to an abandoned water tower, these spots are ideal for K-drama inspired couple shoots – all made better with equally stylish Birkenstock sandals
Follow Birkenstock on Instagram and you’ll get 20% off when you spend a min. of $150 at selected Birkenstock stores*!
*Valid till 31 March 2019.
Available at Bugis Junction, Century Square, Suntec City, Paragon, Velocity, and Vivocity.
Check out more things to do in Singapore:
This post is brought to you by Birkenstock Singapore.
Photography and styling by Wen Lin Tan.
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