Is Wedding Package really worthwhile?

[mirage_77]

Hi all,

Have just started going to wedding studios last weekend near Bugis , and found out how expensive they really were (all the while we assumed $3000+ included everything.
Then both bridal shops we went through quoted us $3k plus for pre-wedding shoot and normal package, photographer and videographer on actual day cost ard $2k - $3k).

While we will probably go other studios for quotes (or wait for wedding fair), did anyone really save a lot by doing ala-carte? We are thinking:

1. Just get a single Bed-Top picture with frame
2. Optional photo album with studio photography only (ard 20-30 photos as per standard)
3. No need for outdoor photography
4. Groom suits buy ourselves overseas (Bangkok perhaps)
5. Bridal gown can buy on internet then find people to alter/ Rent from wedding studios
6. Father-In-Law suits make in Singapore (So no need to travel)
7. Bridemaid gowns buy from H&M etc?
8. All bouquets and flowers I can get sister-in-law to help (florist)

Anything else I shd take note and and kind advice/opinions?

TIA.

 

[duckie_15]

My wedding happened last mth, also signed for a basic package with indoor photography. Paid $3,800 for 2 in 1 package:

Pre wedding:
Bed top picture frame
Table top picture frame
28pcs indoor photography album inclusive of photography, make up artists, 2 suits and up to 5 gown/dress

Actual Day:
Mercedes with driver for 8hrs
Photography for 8hrs
One groom suit
3 gown and dress
2 jackets only for both side father
Make up artists for morning and evening

I did not engage any videographer as we had simple dinner with relatives in chinese restaurant.

Package is simple and bridal shop will do the coordination work for you. So less yo worry. But you must ve firm as they might persuade you for add on which will incur additional cost. If you give in, the package price will not be only $3,800.

Outdoor photography have alot of additional cost as well, it is good not to opt for outdoor. Everything went smoothly for me which is very important. Good luck to you

 

[mirage_77]

Thanks. Can I assume $3.8k will be a good average guage for what to look out for?

 

[duckie_15]

Thanks. Can I assume $3.8k will be a good average guage for what to look out for?

That depends on your negotiating skills... i have seen ppl sharing their package, somehow similar to mine but slightly cheaper by few hundred bucks.

 

[chocolate&cookies]

Can sic where did u sign your package and engage your photographer from? Or pm if not comfortable to share here? Thanks in advance!

 

[duckie_15]

Can sic where did u sign your package and engage your photographer from? Or pm if not comfortable to share here? Thanks in advance!

Ok i pm you le.

 

[mryahooman]

Ok i pm you le.

Hi pls pm me as well. would like to know.

Thanks !

 

[murphyong]

i am interested in the bridal package that you have signed.
Can you kindly share the bridal information?
Thanks!

My wedding happened last mth, also signed for a basic package with indoor photography. Paid $3,800 for 2 in 1 package:

Pre wedding:
Bed top picture frame
Table top picture frame
28pcs indoor photography album inclusive of photography, make up artists, 2 suits and up to 5 gown/dress

Actual Day:
Mercedes with driver for 8hrs
Photography for 8hrs
One groom suit
3 gown and dress
2 jackets only for both side father
Make up artists for morning and evening

I did not engage any videographer as we had simple dinner with relatives in chinese restaurant.

Package is simple and bridal shop will do the coordination work for you. So less yo worry. But you must ve firm as they might persuade you for add on which will incur additional cost. If you give in, the package price will not be only $3,800.

Outdoor photography have alot of additional cost as well, it is good not to opt for outdoor. Everything went smoothly for me which is very important. Good luck to you

 

[murphyong]

Thanks duckie_15 for sharing!

 

[duckie_15]

Bridesmaid dresses ($30 each) and groomsmen suspender/bow tie ($12 per set) got from qoo10. You guys browse in qoo10 if interested.

 

[crunsik]

Hi all,

Have just started going to wedding studios last weekend near Bugis , and found out how expensive they really were (all the while we assumed $3000+ included everything.
Then both bridal shops we went through quoted us $3k plus for pre-wedding shoot and normal package, photographer and videographer on actual day cost ard $2k - $3k).

While we will probably go other studios for quotes (or wait for wedding fair), did anyone really save a lot by doing ala-carte? We are thinking:

1. Just get a single Bed-Top picture with frame
2. Optional photo album with studio photography only (ard 20-30 photos as per standard)
3. No need for outdoor photography
4. Groom suits buy ourselves overseas (Bangkok perhaps)
5. Bridal gown can buy on internet then find people to alter/ Rent from wedding studios
6. Father-In-Law suits make in Singapore (So no need to travel)
7. Bridemaid gowns buy from H&M etc?
8. All bouquets and flowers I can get sister-in-law to help (florist)

Anything else I shd take note and and kind advice/opinions?

TIA.

Packages offers u the convenience. Its more likely to ensure that you have got a good assistant after you sign the package. For myself, the signing of the package was done by the sales and when after signing they assigned me some newbie. At the end of the day, I was the one instructing the newbie what to do and stuff. My package was ard 4k plus and given the review I was disappointed with the service.

Nevertheless its more common to go overseas for photoshoot than to take local ones, thus having a package isn’t too bad as its convenient for you to navigate.

As you dont need outdoor photography DIY is the best option IMHO given that you probably need 1 gown for the actual day rather than the 3 gowns being offered by their exclusive range. IMHO these gowns are a season old and if you buy ur gown u can customise it to your liking too

 

[duckie_15]

Packages offers u the convenience. Its more likely to ensure that you have got a good assistant after you sign the package. For myself, the signing of the package was done by the sales and when after signing they assigned me some newbie. At the end of the day, I was the one instructing the newbie what to do and stuff. My package was ard 4k plus and given the review I was disappointed with the service.

Nevertheless its more common to go overseas for photoshoot than to take local ones, thus having a package isn’t too bad as its convenient for you to navigate.

As you dont need outdoor photography DIY is the best option IMHO given that you probably need 1 gown for the actual day rather than the 3 gowns being offered by their exclusive range. IMHO these gowns are a season old and if you buy ur gown u can customise it to your liking too

Yeah, i agreee its for convenience. Sorry to hear that you were assigned with a newbie which it wasn't a good thing to start with.

Seriously, I went for indoor photoshoot only is because my married frds all told me that the album will end up collecting dust after the wedding dinner reception. Thus I decided not to waste too much $$ on photoshoot.

 

[amebelle]

Bridal gown you can try renting
1 piece gown rental from SGD200 (https://www.aiido.com/gowns-and-suits?sort_by=price_low_high)

Personally I feel that going ala carte gives you more control over your vendors.
The recent bridal shop saga incident..some bridal shop outsource their jobs (photographer, videographer, makeup artist) and pay quite low rates to their vendors/partners.

 

[blue83xyz]

My wedding happened last mth, also signed for a basic package with indoor photography. Paid $3,800 for 2 in 1 package:

Pre wedding:
Bed top picture frame
Table top picture frame
28pcs indoor photography album inclusive of photography, make up artists, 2 suits and up to 5 gown/dress

Actual Day:
Mercedes with driver for 8hrs
Photography for 8hrs
One groom suit
3 gown and dress
2 jackets only for both side father
Make up artists for morning and evening

I did not engage any videographer as we had simple dinner with relatives in chinese restaurant.

Package is simple and bridal shop will do the coordination work for you. So less yo worry. But you must ve firm as they might persuade you for add on which will incur additional cost. If you give in, the package price will not be only $3,800.

Outdoor photography have alot of additional cost as well, it is good not to opt for outdoor. Everything went smoothly for me which is very important. Good luck to you

Hi I was researching Prewed and AD package and saw your post. Could you share which bridal shop you went and how was the experience? I share the same idea as you that I don't want to spend too much on wedding photography. Hee.. thanks..

 

[YinG90]

Hi! Check out my fiance's blog for more info about wedding packages! https://notepadscribbles.wordpress.com/2017/06/05/weddings-diy-vs-bridal-package/

 

[3hubb3r]

depends what you are looking for. packages are convenient but make sure you know what you are paying for. there may have hidden charges here and there

 

[janelim89]

I did mine DIY because there's more control

Total for prewed local photoshoot (full set of 300+ photos from freelancers out there, there's so many), 3 gowns (taobao), 2 suits (local famous tailor + BKK), actual day MUA + trial MUA for photoshoot day was about $2.5k
Of course there's less convenience as everything you do your own
but satisfaction is definitely there and there's better control
prewed local photoshoot by japanese photographer - $300
MUA - $300 (trial for photoshoot and actual day)
Taobao 3 gowns - $300+
His 2 suits - $1500+
Decor (taobao) - around $100


Add in actual day photog/videog (from the good companies, also full set + full footage) it's about 2.5k additional.

 

[janelim89]

Forgot to add, bridesmaid wear about $40 for all 4 bridesmaids (got them in BKK)

 

[janelim89]

note: savings are not substantial as compared to if you do package. But package must make sure you really like the studio and the gowns as the options are v few (eg. a bridal studio may only have less than 5 or 10 MUA to choose from, but if you do alacarte, you can choose from over 1000s of them).
However, the difference is that you own the stuff (the gowns and suits and the decor) which you can possibly resell (if you wish) and that's where the "substantial" savings come in as I managed to recoup my decor, gowns, and partial suit cost

 

[regal_aeros]

It depends on what you want really. I ala carte mine entirely.

Since i was already flying to Rome, i did all my preparation in 1 month.

Gowns:
1. Danny L Gown (~$140 from Carousell)
2. Cheongsum Gown (~$50 from Carousell)
3. ROM Gown (~$170 from Elegrance @ Far East)

Shoes:
1. Nina Ricchi (~$10 from roadshow at PS)

Photographer in Rome: 400Euro
Deliverables: 200 edited photos all digital

MUA in Rome: 100 Euro
Asian girl living in Rome. Free trial at my place before the shoot.

Additional 50Euro for being my assistant on the day of the shoot. Basically i had 2 looks and she helped me change and carried our barang barang around for half a day.

Misc cost i did not factor in were the DIY stuff like adding crystals to my ROM gown to have that additional bling factor.