Pre-Wedding Shoot Locations in Bangalore: 12 Spots

These are the pre-wedding shoot locations in Bangalore that couples ask us about most, from the Nandi Hills sunrise to the old stone walls of Devanahalli Fort. For each spot you get the distance from MG Road, the best light, the rules and fees, and a tip from our drivers. If you need a car for the day, see our wedding car rental in Bangalore page.

Most couples book one car for the whole shoot day. Mercedes-Benz E-Class, model photo.

Two things have changed since most lists online were written. Lalbagh and Cubbon Park no longer allow pre-wedding shoots, and drones need permission almost everywhere north of the city because of the airport. Both are covered below.

Pre-wedding shoot quick facts

Map: shoot spots around Bangalore

Nine of the twelve spots are outside the city, all within about 60 km of MG Road. The road distances below are from MG Road; add 30 to 45 minutes if you start from Electronic City or Whitefield.

Road distances from MG Road to nine shoot spots outside the city.

1. Nandi Hills

Nandi Hills is the first name on almost every couple's list, and for good reason. On many winter mornings the valley below fills with cloud, and the sun comes up over it a little after 6 am. The old stone steps, Tipu's Drop and the garden paths near the top give you three different looks in one hour.

• Distance: 61 km, about 1.5 hours before dawn

• Best light: sunrise, 6:15 to 8:00 am

• Timings: gate opens at 6:00 am, closes at 6:00 pm

• Entry: about Rs 10 to 20 per person; car parking about Rs 60 on weekdays, Rs 100 on weekends

• Our tip: go on a weekday. On weekends the queue at the gate starts before 5:30 am and the top gets crowded by 7.

2. Skandagiri

Skandagiri is the hill next to Nandi Hills, and it is a trek, not a drive. The climb takes about two hours in the dark, so it suits couples who want an adventure look: jackets, boots and the sunrise from a bare rock summit.

• Distance: 60 km to the base at Kalavara

• Permit: book a slot on the forest department site, aranyavihaara.karnataka.gov.in, with a photo ID

• Fee: about Rs 250 per person (check the portal, it changes)

• Reporting time: about 3:30 to 4:00 am at the base

• Our tip: carry the second outfit in a backpack. Heavy lehengas and long gowns do not work on this climb.

3. Devanahalli Fort

About 15 minutes from the airport, Devanahalli has long stretches of stone fort wall with round bastions, set in green lawns. It pairs well with Nandi Hills on the same morning, since it is on the way back.

A bastion on the old fort wall at Devanahalli.

• Distance: 37 km

• Best light: morning, before 10 am

• Entry: free

• Good to know: the fort is close to the airport, so no drones here

4. Hesaraghatta grasslands and lake

Open grassland, a wide lake and big sky make Hesaraghatta the spot for flowing outfits and long-lens shots. The grass is green from August to November and turns gold from February.

• Distance: 29 km

• Best light: the last hour before sunset

• Good to know: since February 2025 the grassland is a notified conservation reserve. Stay on the tracks, keep vehicles off the grass and do not fly drones.

5. Big Banyan Tree (Dodda Alada Mara)

This single banyan tree is said to be over 400 years old and spreads across about 3 acres. Its hanging roots make a shaded grove, so you can shoot here even at noon when every other spot is too bright.

The root grove at Dodda Alada Mara, off Mysore Road.

• Distance: 30 km, off Mysore Road near Kethohalli

• Timings: about 9:00 am to 5:30 pm

• Entry: free

• Our tip: there are many monkeys. Leave food and loose bags in the car.

6. Manchanabele Dam

Manchanabele is a reservoir with low hills all around, about 10 km past the Big Banyan Tree. The water turns orange at sunset, which makes it a good last stop of the day.

• Distance: 41 km

• Best light: sunset

• Entry: free

• Safety: stay out of the water. The banks are slippery and people have drowned here.

7. Ramanagara and Ramadevara Betta

The giant granite boulders of Ramanagara are where Sholay was filmed. Ramadevara Betta has a hilltop temple, a small lake and rock faces that glow in the evening light.

• Distance: 52 km by the Mysore expressway

• Best light: 4:30 pm to sunset

• Good to know: the hill is a vulture sanctuary. Keep to the steps and paths, and no drones.

8. Muthyala Maduvu (Pearl Valley)

A small waterfall in a rocky valley near Anekal, with a temple at the bottom. It is at its best from August to November, after the rains. In summer the fall is usually dry.

• Distance: about 35 km

• Best light: morning

• Good to know: there are steps down to the valley, so plan easy footwear between shots

9. Turahalli Forest

The nearest patch of forest to the city, just off Kanakapura Road. Tall trees and dirt tracks give a quiet woodland look without a long drive.

• Distance: 19 km

• Best light: early morning

• Our tip: go on a weekday. Weekend mornings bring a lot of walkers and cyclists.

10. Bangalore Palace

Finished in the 1880s in the style of an English castle, with towers, turrets and ivy-covered walls. It is the most formal look in the city, and it suits traditional outfits.

The tower and round verandah of Bangalore Palace.

• Distance: 5 km

• Timings: about 10:00 am to 5:30 pm

• Permission: a pre-wedding shoot needs permission from the palace office, and the fee is separate from the visitor ticket. Rates are not published, so ask the office a few weeks ahead.

• Good to know: the grounds host weddings and events, so check your date is free before you book anything else

11. Sankey Tank

A lake in Malleshwaram with a long walking path, old trees and calm water. It works for simple, natural shots close to home.

The duck house on the water at Sankey Tank.

• Distance: 6 km

• Best light: early morning

• Good to know: keep it handheld with a small crew. Tripods and lights draw questions from the staff.

12. Church Street

Colourful shop fronts, old buildings and cafes, right off MG Road. At sunrise on a Sunday the street is almost empty, and many photographers use that hour for a city look.

• Distance: 1 km

• Best light: 6:30 to 8:00 am

• Good to know: no permit is needed for a small handheld shoot on the footpath

Lalbagh and Cubbon Park: not for shoots now

The Horticulture Department has stopped pre-wedding and post-wedding shoots, reels and drone photography in Cubbon Park and Lalbagh. The Lalbagh order came in November 2025, with a fine of Rs 500 reported for breaking the rule. You can still walk in and take personal photos on a phone, but a shoot with a photographer is likely to be stopped.

Drone rules around Bangalore

Most of north Bangalore sits close to Kempegowda International Airport, Yelahanka air base or HAL. These are no-fly or permission-only zones. Before you plan drone shots, check the spot on the government's Digital Sky airspace map. Devanahalli Fort and the road to Nandi Hills are very close to the airport, and Hesaraghatta and Ramadevara Betta do not allow drones because of the birds.

A one-day shoot plan with one car

This is the plan most couples follow: sunrise in the north, a fort on the way back, rest through the harsh afternoon light, and golden hour in the city.

• 4:30 am: pickup from home, outfits on hangers in the car

• 6:00 am: Nandi Hills gate, sunrise shots till about 8:30

• 9:30 am: Devanahalli Fort, 45 minutes

• 11:00 am: breakfast, outfit change and rest at a hotel or resort

• 4:00 pm: Bangalore Palace (with permission) or Sankey Tank

• 6:30 pm: drop at home

That day is about 135 km and 13 hours, which is more than an 8 hour, 80 km package. We give the full-day amount in writing before you confirm.

Which car to plan for the shoot

The car does two jobs: it gets you from spot to spot on time, and it often ends up in the photos. Rates below are the 8 hours, 80 km package in Bangalore, with fuel and driver included, as on our car pages today.

• BMW 5 Series: Rs 8,000. Clean, modern look for city shots.

• Audi A6: Rs 8,000. Similar budget, softer lines.

• Audi Q7: Rs 12,500. Six seats, room for outfits and the photographer, sits well on hill roads.

• Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Rs 14,500. The classic choice for a formal look.

• BMW 7 Series: Rs 15,000. Long body, very comfortable for a 13 hour day.

• Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Rs 18,000. The top of the range for palace and evening shots.

• Crew car: an Innova Crysta on rent in Bangalore for the photographer, makeup artist and their kit.

The BMW 7 Series, long and comfortable for a 13 hour shoot day. Model photo.

Extra km, extra hours, tolls and parking are billed as shown on each car's page. Flower decoration for the car is on request at actual cost.

Tips from our drivers

• Leave early for Nandi Hills: from South Bangalore, start by 4:15 am to reach the gate at 6.

• Hang the outfits: tell us when you book and the driver keeps the back seat clear, with hangers.

• Keep the car clean for photos: our drivers carry a cloth and wipe the car before each spot.

• One spot at a time: two spots in the morning and one in the evening is a comfortable day. Five spots in one day means more driving than shooting.

See all cars and rates: wedding car rental in Bangalore, car rental in Bangalore.

Which is the best pre-wedding shoot location in Bangalore?

For a natural, open look, Nandi Hills at sunrise is the most popular choice. For a royal look, Bangalore Palace, with permission. For shade in the middle of the day, the Big Banyan Tree.

Is a pre-wedding shoot allowed in Lalbagh or Cubbon Park?

No. The Horticulture Department does not allow pre-wedding shoots, reels or drone photography in either park now. You can still visit and take personal photos.

Do we need permission for a shoot at Nandi Hills?

You pay the normal entry and parking at the gate. A small shoot is usually fine, but a big crew with lights on a crowded weekend may be stopped, so go on a weekday morning and keep the crew small.

Can we fly a drone for the pre-wedding shoot?

Only with permission. Much of north Bangalore is near the airport or an air base. Check the spot on the Digital Sky airspace map first, and skip drones at Hesaraghatta and Ramadevara Betta.

How much does a luxury car for a pre-wedding shoot cost in Bangalore?

For 8 hours and 80 km, a BMW 5 Series or Audi A6 is Rs 8,000, an Audi Q7 Rs 12,500, a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Rs 14,500 and an S-Class Rs 18,000, with fuel and driver. See the wedding car rental in Bangalore page for every car.

Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons): Bangalore Palace by Anu 21 Anusha, CC0. Nandi Hills sunrise by Mouli6, public domain. Devanahalli Fort by Harvinder Chandigarh, CC BY 4.0. Dodda Alada Mara by Avoid simple2, CC BY 3.0. Sankey Tank by Ayan Mukherjee, CC BY 3.0. Mercedes-Benz E-Class by GillyBerlin, CC BY 2.0. BMW 7 Series by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0. Map road lines from OpenStreetMap contributors.