A full Japanese photo-wedding can be hard to fit into a trip. It often takes most of a day, with separate arrangements for the kimono, hair and make-up, and a photographer. On a journey with limited time, that is rarely possible.
AILÉA brings it all together in one place. In an afternoon — costume, hair & make-up and professional photography all included — the two of you can have a Japanese wedding-style portrait, without giving up a whole day of your trip.
The name AILÉA is inspired by aile, French for "wing." Light as a wing and free of fixed forms — a portrait that's truly yours, and that stays with you long after you fly home.
Your first portrait as a married couple.
On the trip where it all began — a kimono portrait to mark the start of your life together.
Mark the milestone, here in Kyoto.
A special way to remember an anniversary spent travelling together.
Make the trip itself the keepsake.
A studio shoot to enjoy between sightseeing — special even in a short time, whatever the weather.
Just engaged, or about to be.
Capture the two of you right after a proposal, in a relaxed and joyful mood.
A Japanese wedding look, in one afternoon.
Wear a wedding-style colour uchikake or montsuki-hakama — the look of a Japanese wedding — without the time a full photo-wedding usually demands.
Kimono leads at AILÉA, with dress and concept styles alongside.
Our signature. Wear a wedding-style colour uchikake or montsuki-hakama and the splendour of a Japanese wedding look, beautifully captured in an afternoon — indoors and unhurried. From a relaxed kimono date to a full wedding-style portrait.
View Kimono style →Centred on white and pale tones, finished with an elegant, gentle mood — perfect for a soft, natural, semi-wedding feel. Natural and beautiful photos of the two of you.
View Dress style →
Distinctive costume, hair & make-up and lighting create a world that's yours alone. Sweet and a little decadent, classical, or romantic — for couples who want something beyond an ordinary portrait.
View Concept style →
The two of you, in Kyoto — for keeps.
Two plans —
choose what fits the two of you.
Couple Portrait
For: dates, anniversaries, Kyoto trips
Styles: Kimono (komon) / Dress / Concept
Formal Portrait
For: weddings, anniversaries, a special portrait in Kyoto
Styles: bridal kimono (hikifurisode / uchikake), or a wedding dress
* "Shots" is the number of photos taken, not the number delivered.
* Men's hair & make-up is not included.
* Couple shots are the focus; solo shots are also possible.
* Extra retouched photos are available as an add-on (see the plan page).
A full Japanese photo-wedding can take most of a day. At AILÉA, costume, hair & make-up and the shoot come together in an afternoon — so a Japanese wedding-style portrait actually fits into your trip.
Kimono, hair & make-up, a professional photographer and studio sets — all arranged for you. Nothing to book separately, nothing to carry.
A studio shoot, unaffected by rain or heat, and easy to slot between sightseeing — no outdoor walking required.
Choose your favourites, and we deliver the retouched data afterwards — so the portrait travels home with you, even after you've returned.
Kimono · Dress · Concept / Honeymoon · Anniversary · Kyoto Trip · Proposal
Send your preferred date and time via the web form — from anywhere, before you travel.
On the day, we talk through your style, outfits and the mood you're after.
Choose the women's and men's outfits.
Hair and make-up to match your chosen style.
We shoot on the studio sets, focusing on couple shots.
Choose your photos; we retouch and deliver the data — even after you've flown home.
Yes. Please send your preferred dates through the web form before you travel, and we'll confirm by email.
Yes. Our staff aren't fully fluent in English, but many guests who speak little Japanese enjoy the shoot with no trouble. We guide you mainly by showing poses, with gestures and simple English, and we can use a translation app when needed. If there's anything specific you'd like to tell us, feel free to note it when you book.
It can be. The full wedding-style kimono — a colour uchikake, or montsuki-hakama for the groom — is our Formal Portrait plan: a portrait that marks your marriage, without the time a full Japanese photo-wedding usually takes. If you'd prefer a more relaxed kimono, the Couple Portrait plan covers that too.
About 3.5 hours for Couple Portrait, or about 4.5 hours for Formal Portrait — from arrival to departure, short enough to fit into a day of sightseeing.
You choose your favourites, and we deliver the retouched data afterwards — so you can receive them even after returning home.
Not at all. Any couple is welcome — a honeymoon, an anniversary, a proposal, or simply your Kyoto trip.
A full Japanese wedding photo can be hard to fit into a trip. At AILÉA, the two of you can have a kimono portrait in an afternoon — costume, hair & make-up and photography included.
