Hmm.. i remember i am at such a loss when first started out, so i tried to list down some ways to look for & bargain for your ideal bridal package.. just a reference as it is subject to individual preference:-
1) Buy the latest bridal magazine and refer to the list of bridal shops.
2) Read forums for feedback on these bridal shops, and ask your friends for referrals.
3) Shortlist some bridal shops with good referrals (either forum or friends).
4) Call for an appointment or walk in to take a look at their gowns, photo albums. Even ask to try on the gowns (if you have the time). For designer bridal shop, it is better to call to book appt as the designer may not have the time to attend to you. Most appts for trying on bridal gowns etc are all by appts.
5) The salesperson may try to persuade you to sign on immediately (usually they will claim that the promotion is for that day only). Take your time to consider and avoid the urge to sign immediately. This is also for better bargaining power in future if you approach them again. Also, ask for a copy of their package details or remember their price for future reference. Most of the bridal shop packages are v similar and price not much difference.
6) After looking around, ask yourself which shop gives you the best impression in terms of gowns, photos, service. Esp the sales coordinator do u feel comfortable with. This is impt bec the person who attend to you when signing the package is most probably your coordinator in future. If u are signing for a MTM package (make to measure), also ask to meet the designer. U can chat with the designer and check your comfortable level with her.
7) When u decide on the bridal shop, look out for their promotions (usually at wedding shows). U can ask the salesperson to inform you once there is any promotions. When signing the package, u can tell the salesperson what items u want to take out/add in. It is easier to ask for additional items than to ask him/her to reduce the price. Also, do check out any hidden cost (elaborated below):-
Very often people talk about hidden cost in bridal packages. I think it is probably bec' when signing, we do not ask enuff questions on the package. I have tried to compile the list of additional possible cost to look out/negotiated for in the package below for your reference:-
1) Cost of additional photos - most of the package provide about 18 - 25 photos. According to my friends' feedback, this amount is usually not enough as the photographer tend to take about 100 - 200 over the 1 day photoshot. Find out the cost of additional photographs in case u wish to add in after your photoshot and ask the salesperson to put down black and white on the quotation.
2) Cost of ampoules - Usually this is about $20- $30 per time. This is for making your makeup looked fresh for whole day and long lasting, especially good for people with sensitive skin.
3) Additional cost of photography if it rains on the photoshot day - I read from some forum that some bridal shops charge extra for photographer and make-up artist if it rains on your photoshot day and u need an extra day. It is best to negotiate for extra photoshoot day or waiver of such additional cost. This will be good if your fotos turn out non-satisfactory and u wish to re-take again.
4) Additional cost of make-up artist on actual day - Sometimes they may charge extra for travelling to your house to do the make-up. Also, it is a norm to give an ang pow to the make up artist, so why need to pay extra when u ored paying extra in the ang pow?
5) Negatives return - Most bridal shops do not return negatives. If u wish for negatives return, u can negotiate for it.
6) ROM items - Though most bridal shops do not have a ROM package, you can negotiate for them to include ROM items in. The trial make-up can be used for ROM. THey can also provide a ROM dress for u. Can also ask them to throw in a bouquet (check that it is fresh flowers).
7) Flower Bouquet - I read one horror story at a forum that one bridal shop actually give fake flowers for the actual day bouquet. So do check out whether the bouquet listed in the package is real or not..
8) Photographs - When looking at the sample photo album, make sure to ask if the photographer of that album is still with the shop or not. Sometimes the shop may show you some old samples which is nice but the photographer may have left the shop. Also, insist to see actual couple photo albums as models albums tend to be v nice but may not be the actual pdt.
Lastly, make sure u make the sales person write down everything in black and white, so as to avoid misunderstandings in future.
1) Buy the latest bridal magazine and refer to the list of bridal shops.
2) Read forums for feedback on these bridal shops, and ask your friends for referrals.
3) Shortlist some bridal shops with good referrals (either forum or friends).
4) Call for an appointment or walk in to take a look at their gowns, photo albums. Even ask to try on the gowns (if you have the time). For designer bridal shop, it is better to call to book appt as the designer may not have the time to attend to you. Most appts for trying on bridal gowns etc are all by appts.
5) The salesperson may try to persuade you to sign on immediately (usually they will claim that the promotion is for that day only). Take your time to consider and avoid the urge to sign immediately. This is also for better bargaining power in future if you approach them again. Also, ask for a copy of their package details or remember their price for future reference. Most of the bridal shop packages are v similar and price not much difference.
6) After looking around, ask yourself which shop gives you the best impression in terms of gowns, photos, service. Esp the sales coordinator do u feel comfortable with. This is impt bec the person who attend to you when signing the package is most probably your coordinator in future. If u are signing for a MTM package (make to measure), also ask to meet the designer. U can chat with the designer and check your comfortable level with her.
7) When u decide on the bridal shop, look out for their promotions (usually at wedding shows). U can ask the salesperson to inform you once there is any promotions. When signing the package, u can tell the salesperson what items u want to take out/add in. It is easier to ask for additional items than to ask him/her to reduce the price. Also, do check out any hidden cost (elaborated below):-
Very often people talk about hidden cost in bridal packages. I think it is probably bec' when signing, we do not ask enuff questions on the package. I have tried to compile the list of additional possible cost to look out/negotiated for in the package below for your reference:-
1) Cost of additional photos - most of the package provide about 18 - 25 photos. According to my friends' feedback, this amount is usually not enough as the photographer tend to take about 100 - 200 over the 1 day photoshot. Find out the cost of additional photographs in case u wish to add in after your photoshot and ask the salesperson to put down black and white on the quotation.
2) Cost of ampoules - Usually this is about $20- $30 per time. This is for making your makeup looked fresh for whole day and long lasting, especially good for people with sensitive skin.
3) Additional cost of photography if it rains on the photoshot day - I read from some forum that some bridal shops charge extra for photographer and make-up artist if it rains on your photoshot day and u need an extra day. It is best to negotiate for extra photoshoot day or waiver of such additional cost. This will be good if your fotos turn out non-satisfactory and u wish to re-take again.
4) Additional cost of make-up artist on actual day - Sometimes they may charge extra for travelling to your house to do the make-up. Also, it is a norm to give an ang pow to the make up artist, so why need to pay extra when u ored paying extra in the ang pow?
5) Negatives return - Most bridal shops do not return negatives. If u wish for negatives return, u can negotiate for it.
6) ROM items - Though most bridal shops do not have a ROM package, you can negotiate for them to include ROM items in. The trial make-up can be used for ROM. THey can also provide a ROM dress for u. Can also ask them to throw in a bouquet (check that it is fresh flowers).
7) Flower Bouquet - I read one horror story at a forum that one bridal shop actually give fake flowers for the actual day bouquet. So do check out whether the bouquet listed in the package is real or not..
8) Photographs - When looking at the sample photo album, make sure to ask if the photographer of that album is still with the shop or not. Sometimes the shop may show you some old samples which is nice but the photographer may have left the shop. Also, insist to see actual couple photo albums as models albums tend to be v nice but may not be the actual pdt.
Lastly, make sure u make the sales person write down everything in black and white, so as to avoid misunderstandings in future.
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