2021 brides - how is your prep?

[ponyparty]

Curious to know how are your preparations for the 2021 brides?

I am a 2021 bride as well, but notice that very few hotels willing to do onsite meet or even virtual meet during this time, even though the news reported that hotels are opening for staycations soon. The response I get is mostly 'we can't do any onsite viewing during this period' with no ETA as to when they can actually do it.

As for my PWS, it was originally scheduled for July 2020 in Bali but that has been pushed indefinitely.

What are other 2021 brides doing during this time? Have you already booked before covid started? Or waiting for phase 3 onwards to start planning?

 

[txr]

Have booked most of my vendors before the covid situation so currently taking a back seat. We planned for overseas pws end of this year as well but it seems like travelling will be impossible this year so we have pushed it back to next year (hopefully). Currently looking out for inspirations for wedding decor, gowns etc

 

[ponyparty]

Have booked most of my vendors before the covid situation so currently taking a back seat. We planned for overseas pws end of this year as well but it seems like travelling will be impossible this year so we have pushed it back to next year (hopefully). Currently looking out for inspirations for wedding decor, gowns etc

Wow you are so well prepared! May I know which quarter is your wedding in 2021?

 

[txr]

Wow you are so well prepared! May I know which quarter is your wedding in 2021?

Mine's in Q4! Haha I prefer to plan early because I want to secure all my first choice vendors

 

[ponyparty]

Mine's in Q4! Haha I prefer to plan early because I want to secure all my first choice vendors

Same! Mine should be in Q4 too. I also tried planning earlier but realised a lot of vendors weren’t interested to entertain me after knowing the date was so far away. Did you experience anything like that?
And now I am feeling some regret because some hotels I was eyeing have started to release their 2021 pricelists which are $100++ more than the 2020 pricelist. Sigh!

 

[txr]

Same! Mine should be in Q4 too. I also tried planning earlier but realised a lot of vendors weren’t interested to entertain me after knowing the date was so far away. Did you experience anything like that?
And now I am feeling some regret because some hotels I was eyeing have started to release their 2021 pricelists which are $100++ more than the 2020 pricelist. Sigh!

Same! When I enquired end of last year, some did not want to entertain me so I decided to forgo those who did not bother to entertain me and went ahead to secure those who did! And yes, after securing them, some of them increased their prices by $100 to $300 even though it was for the same year 2021, so booking them at different timing for the same period of time still makes a difference.

 

[Nyx0413]

My banquet is in Q4 too, just started planning. Found one venue among my shortlist which allowed in person viewing of hotel ballroom, so likely will go with that. Htb told me to relax in terms of searching for other vendors, but have decided to go ahead after seeing the comments on this thread.

One thing that I'm having difficulty with is searching for affordable rom gowns (separate day from banquet) in the range of $100 to $200. Anyone has suggestions?

 

[ponyparty]

My banquet is in Q4 too, just started planning. Found one venue among my shortlist which allowed in person viewing of hotel ballroom, so likely will go with that. Htb told me to relax in terms of searching for other vendors, but have decided to go ahead after seeing the comments on this thread.

One thing that I'm having difficulty with is searching for affordable rom gowns (separate day from banquet) in the range of $100 to $200. Anyone has suggestions?

Is that Fullerton? Haha I just went for viewing at Fullerton too.
I've been eyeing dresses from Rentadella & Style Lease for my pre-wed shoot. I think they are around the price range you are looking for!

 

[Nyx0413]

Is that Fullerton? Haha I just went for viewing at Fullerton too.
I've been eyeing dresses from Rentadella & Style Lease for my pre-wed shoot. I think they are around the price range you are looking for!

The one I went for was Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre~ I fell in love with their chandeliers, although they had 3 pillars in their ballroom.

Thanks for the recs! I must say, their dresses are very figure hugging and not very forgiving though ahahaha. I'm a lazy btb who doesn't plan on losing weight for my wedding.

 

[solitudeavenue]

Hello ladies!

Mine is also 2021 Q4. Seems like all are looking at the same period. I had secured Photographers and make up artists for now.

As for the hotels, still waiting for the ones I like to open for viewing.

 

[ponyparty]

Hello ladies!

Mine is also 2021 Q4. Seems like all are looking at the same period. I had secured Photographers and make up artists for now.

As for the hotels, still waiting for the ones I like to open for viewing.

That's fast! Is it because you already have a specific photographer & MUA that you've been eyeing?
I was planning to leave these to next year cuz honestly I don't even know where to start in terms of choosing!!

 

[Nyx0413]

Haha think q42021 is the safest bet in terms of being able to hold a banquet for 200+ ppl in one ballroom. Of course, 2022 might be even safer but my htb and I didn't want to wait that long.

My htb is helping me to secure the photographers and MUA because I have not many requirements for those. But I heard that popular ones have to be booked at least one year in advance.

 

[solitudeavenue]

That's fast! Is it because you already have a specific photographer & MUA that you've been eyeing?
I was planning to leave these to next year cuz honestly I don't even know where to start in terms of choosing!!

We do have a specific photographer and MUA in mind. However, the photographer we wanted did not reply us when we had dropped them email and WhatsApp text. =(

I am not working now, hence, I am free to do all the planning now. I’m helping my friends too! Hahah!

 

[solitudeavenue]

Haha think q42021 is the safest bet in terms of being able to hold a banquet for 200+ ppl in one ballroom. Of course, 2022 might be even safer but my htb and I didn't want to wait that long.

My htb is helping me to secure the photographers and MUA because I have not many requirements for those. But I heard that popular ones have to be booked at least one year in advance.

It would be ideal to start shortlisting now as couples who intended to tie knots this year may have postponed their dates to next year. Hence, it’s best to secure them soonest! Hahah! However, I do met a few where they shared that their rates are not out for 2021 Q4 though.

 

[Nyx0413]

Lots of venues are not taking bookings too. My first choice for ROM, to be held in Q1 2021, was a cafe called Picnic @ Wisma Atria. But they said that they're not taking any bookings for next year till they settle some issues with the government and their landlord.

When do you all think is the latest I should be looking at bridal packages for prewedding shoot, to be held locally, let's say in Q2 2021? I have an acquaintance working in a boutique who told me that a lot of them are facing financial difficulties, so I'm worried about signing a package with one that might go under.

 

[solitudeavenue]

Oh! That cafe has lovely ambience! Have you tried the rabbit hole? We are considering there.

By the way, I saw that you are looking for solemnisation dress. Try looking some from ASOS. I’m not getting gowns as they are too much for me. Hence, I’m planning to get something dressy from ASOS as they have quite a lot of nice dresses for really formal events. Not those tight fitting ones.

 

[txr]

Lots of venues are not taking bookings too. My first choice for ROM, to be held in Q1 2021, was a cafe called Picnic @ Wisma Atria. But they said that they're not taking any bookings for next year till they settle some issues with the government and their landlord.

When do you all think is the latest I should be looking at bridal packages for prewedding shoot, to be held locally, let's say in Q2 2021? I have an acquaintance working in a boutique who told me that a lot of them are facing financial difficulties, so I'm worried about signing a package with one that might go under.

I got hardsell for bridal package so I signed mine last year and valid for quite long. Intended to go overseas for pws end of this year but postponing to early next year (hopefully can travel by then). I think bridal you can book when you are ready to take the shoot? Buffer some time for selections. If you dont mind casual shoot, that is a good option as well! I'm going for a local casual shoot end of this year just in case my overseas one has to be postponed further (after wedding)

 

[Nyx0413]

Oh! That cafe has lovely ambience! Have you tried the rabbit hole? We are considering there.

By the way, I saw that you are looking for solemnisation dress. Try looking some from ASOS. I’m not getting gowns as they are too much for me. Hence, I’m planning to get something dressy from ASOS as they have quite a lot of nice dresses for really formal events. Not those tight fitting ones.

Yups yups, I must say the rabbit hole has a nice ambience and pretty furnishings. Unfortunately it serves a Western menu, so had to drop it from my list due to the elders' palate.

Oooh I have to admit I only searched the ASOS bridal collection so far. Will take a look at the rest of their dresses~

 

[Nyx0413]

I got hardsell for bridal package so I signed mine last year and valid for quite long. Intended to go overseas for pws end of this year but postponing to early next year (hopefully can travel by then). I think bridal you can book when you are ready to take the shoot? Buffer some time for selections. If you dont mind casual shoot, that is a good option as well! I'm going for a local casual shoot end of this year just in case my overseas one has to be postponed further (after wedding)

Thanks for the info! I see I see, I guess local shoots do have a lot more flexibility. You could go to locations that are meaningful to you, like places that you used to go dating w ur htb!

Must admit, even before Covid19, I never considered overseas shoots because of the hassle and time involved haha. Although friends all tell me it is prettier overseas Good luck all with your photoshoots~

 

[Nyx0413]

Oh ya does anyone know if there's any 2021 bridal telegram group that I can join?

 

[txr]

Thanks for the info! I see I see, I guess local shoots do have a lot more flexibility. You could go to locations that are meaningful to you, like places that you used to go dating w ur htb!

Must admit, even before Covid19, I never considered overseas shoots because of the hassle and time involved haha. Although friends all tell me it is prettier overseas Good luck all with your photoshoots~

Yes!! Locally we intend to shoot at a less common and popular location, and also our school! Our overseas pws can change to local but we book cos we really like the overseas one so we will stick to it even if it may be delayed till after wedding :/

 

[ponyparty]

Yes!! Locally we intend to shoot at a less common and popular location, and also our school! Our overseas pws can change to local but we book cos we really like the overseas one so we will stick to it even if it may be delayed till after wedding :/

Facing the same issue now My overseas PWS supposed to happen this month! Now it really doesn't look like we can travel any time soon. Mine includes video too, which we planned to play during the banquet as a 'filler'. So it will be wasted if the photos & video can only come out after the wedding. Alternatively, if it's too late then I may just cancel it altogether as I only paid the deposit.

 

[txr]

Facing the same issue now My overseas PWS supposed to happen this month! Now it really doesn't look like we can travel any time soon. Mine includes video too, which we planned to play during the banquet as a 'filler'. So it will be wasted if the photos & video can only come out after the wedding. Alternatively, if it's too late then I may just cancel it altogether as I only paid the deposit.

Yeah... we also paid deposit for pws and ad gowns but thinking of cancelling pws and use deposit for ad...

 

[fionnc]

Curious to know how are your preparations for the 2021 brides?

I am a 2021 bride as well, but notice that very few hotels willing to do onsite meet or even virtual meet during this time, even though the news reported that hotels are opening for staycations soon. The response I get is mostly 'we can't do any onsite viewing during this period' with no ETA as to when they can actually do it.

As for my PWS, it was originally scheduled for July 2020 in Bali but that has been pushed indefinitely.

What are other 2021 brides doing during this time? Have you already booked before covid started? Or waiting for phase 3 onwards to start planning?

Wow guys. I am surprised that you guys have made your preparations so quickly!
Mine's planned for end period of Q3 but i have yet to book my venue as I am not sure if Covid is still around by 2021.
Kinda in a dilemma as to if i should go ahead to make the booking for venue.

 

[ponyparty]

Wow guys. I am surprised that you guys have made your preparations so quickly!
Mine's planned for end period of Q3 but i have yet to book my venue as I am not sure if Covid is still around by 2021.
Kinda in a dilemma as to if i should go ahead to make the booking for venue.

Yeah, my partner & I trying to spread out the $$$ as much as possible, because we foresee that 2021 we'll have to splurge on home reno + wedding. So we sourced for our PWS really early (beginning 2020) to try to clear that off first. End up it can't happen this year also!

Now the situation is even more unusual, because all the cancelled/postponed weddings from 2020 are snowballing into 2021. I personally have a handful of friends supposed to wed in 2020 but now moved to 2021 (and here I thought I was going to be the only 2021 bride in my social circle hehe).
I asked around within hotel banquet side & they're seeing Q1 & Q2 2021 dates filled up already.

Perhaps you can ask your venues what is their contingency plan if COVID is still around during your wedding date. I'm sure they've prepared for that too. I'm planning to ask that too before I sign my banquet contract.

 

[txr]

Wow guys. I am surprised that you guys have made your preparations so quickly!
Mine's planned for end period of Q3 but i have yet to book my venue as I am not sure if Covid is still around by 2021.
Kinda in a dilemma as to if i should go ahead to make the booking for venue.

I booked before Covid happened... Like what was mentioned, can ask how will the hotel react or what are the measures should you not be able to proceed with your banquet. No harm checking if your date is available or not, and going for site visits (if you are comfortable with it). We booked early because we wanted to do gradual payment for the banquet to earn maximum rewards!

 

[Nyx0413]

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Wow guys. I am surprised that you guys have made your preparations so quickly!
Mine's planned for end period of Q3 but i have yet to book my venue as I am not sure if Covid is still around by 2021.
Kinda in a dilemma as to if i should go ahead to make the booking for venue.

Mine is a q42021 date, yet when I started checking venues couple of weeks ago, some were already taken for my date. And it's not even a double date or anything:/ Made me realise how popular 2021 wedding dates are.

I'm trying to find MUA and photographer for AD now, just in case. Recs appreciated

But yeps, the terms and conditions are worth reviewing. Should also try to avoid hotels who insist on sticking to min tables in case there's a cap on no. of pax and end up not being able to meet the minimum tables requirement.

 

[sast]

2021 bride here.. originally 2020 bride but had to postpone the entire wedding due to covid. We took it slow in the planning, 3 years ago we started planning to hold our wedding ceremony and reception in Santorini with friends and families flying out. Wedding, honeymoon and hotels all booked ahead for a total of 1month stay around the Greek islands and another 8 days at the Amalfi coast. However when the pandemic occurred, it was a nightmare to reschedule all these, but we managed to (almost) and awaiting for 2021,hoping the situation improves by then.