Val,
Some of the considerations when choosing BS beside the price. However, if you compare those BS of the same range, then you would realise that the prices offer is within the same range. So I've come out with some other factors, although some are intangible.
1) Depending on your body type, you need to get the kinda gown suitable for you. Hence got to find out what are the types of gown available in the stores. Many BS which I went to showed me tons and tons of Bustier... which is not suitable for me. And my FH doesn't believe that bustier is not suitable for me till I tried one and he was convinced. Well, you won't know what you won't look good in till you've tried it. The rule of the thumb is
"show off" your flaw.
http://www.henryroth.com/tip.php
2) The photography skill. Look at the albums, do the couples look natural? Happy? "Involved"? Or the 1st thing that captured you is the background? Not to forget that true enough a charming background will enhance the overall mood of the picture displayed but a poor photography skill will not be able to bring out the main CASTS from the background. Personally I don't like those photography that show two wooden blocks with frozen smiles...
3) Friendly VS Over-friendly staff who serves you. I am more picky when dealing with the people who I've to work with. I can't define what is Over-friendly but it is kinda those who leave you with no personal space and also who would like to decide everything for you.. and ended up delivering empty promises.
4) Look at the make-up in the Album. Do the brides look natural or like Pop-star singer, chinese opera or Geisha? My elder sister's album was so "well" done that she look extremely pretty in the photos... but if she was to show her album to her friends now, without telling them whose photo are those, they would have to guess. Bottomline, my sister doesn't look like herself in the photo. I'm not trying to be cruel but I want my photo to be my photo.... of cos without eyebag, eye ring and pimples lah... but should still look like me. In the BS, you can ask them to show you photographs of Brides before and after the make up to allow you to make a comparison.
5) Make the hidden cost transparent so that you are mentally more prepared when you've to pay the extra at the end of the whole service...
a) Ampoule to be used during make up, market price abt $50. I was told that you pay directly to the MUA, this ampoule is to make ur makeup stay fresher, esp good for Outdoor - hot and humid weather.
b) Eye lashes
c) Laundry fees (mine is FOC)
d) Number of corsage given, what's the cost of extra pieces
e) Cancellation of photography date. e.g. if you plan to take photograpy this sat, but down with a cold
on fri, so you've to change the date, is there a penalty? For YC, there is no charge so long makeup not done. That means I can cancel as late as on the actual day - so if it is pouring heavily, I can re-schedule to another day without having to pay penalty.
f) Cost of extra photos to be added to the album. Your photos might turn out so fantastic that you like every single one of them... I was told that there are couple whose original package was 20 photos and ended up upsizing to 40 (double!!) and market rate is $80 per photo.... so if you calculate the initial price is $3000 + the additional photo - $80 x 40 = 3200 will be $6200 wow!!! (So must also make FH commit that if extra photo are wanted, he must say yes! kekeke... ) And for digital album, it's not per page, it's per photo used....
I wrote down most of the stuff but the note book is now with my FH... so must get the note book back... Haha.... very long post again (luckily no rule on Max number of words allowed).... but I think haven finish yet... will add on when there is more...
