Is it common practice to pay a fee to view & try wedding gown?
- Thread starter bbley
- Start date
bluepaperrose
Member
Not at all. Did you encounter this?
yes. I encounter that. because I am in very tight budget so I only started to source for bridal shop or ala carte comparing the prices. Went to few bridal shops mostly are over my budget. So I source for some more affordable bridal shop and those in homebase. So I enquiry 1 of the bridal shop saw very good review and the price is within my budget. but I was told that I need to pay a deposit of $100 to fix an appointment to view and try the gown. I was shock when I hear that. Than I ask if I don't try the gown, just want to see the design. I still need to pay, the reason they provide me is that there is a styling consultation and need to arrange staff to open the shop. If I sign up their package than they will offset my $100 deposit.
sherlyn1620
Member
Haven't encountered this before. All bridal studios I went to allowed me to try 2-3 gowns before sitting me and HTB down for sales talk.
Went a la carte instead cos I don't wanna sit through the sales talk when signing up package and then another round of sales talk when choosing photos again.
Got my gowns with BQueens eventually and photography I'll most prob engage The Happy Fish.
Went a la carte instead cos I don't wanna sit through the sales talk when signing up package and then another round of sales talk when choosing photos again.
Got my gowns with BQueens eventually and photography I'll most prob engage The Happy Fish.
Where is BQueens location at? how much is their gown rental ranging from? I heard that ala carte is more expensive compare to packages.
Veryvenice
New Member
Yes in countries like UK they do so, but never heard of it jn SG
sherlyn1620
Member
They've just moved to 61 Ubi Road 1 (I think). It's at Oxley BizHub. #03-31. Felt their gown has quite a wide selection. And there's no restriction as to whether I can bring certain gowns for outdoor shoot or not.
Rental is $400-600 per gown, including unlimited alteration & dry cleaning services. Depending on design. I took up a package with them so it's way cheaper than that. I could choose 5 gowns and my HTB can choose 3 suits. Our folks' gowns and suits for the big day is also included in the package. $1800. Thought it's quite reasonable. I didn't want to sign up packages cos I really didn't wanna sit through hard selling.
Went to a few bridal studios before I came to BQueens. The packages they offered me were like $4688.. Cheapest was also 3688
$1800 include 5 gown and 3 mansuit. how about makeup and photography for ad ? also include or have to top up?
sherlyn1620
Member
Yes. I believe so. Mine is all a la carte. Just gowns only. So I got my own photographer and MUA for AD. I think they can recommend photographer and MUA. I had my own contacts so didn't ask.
Not really, only apply to some bridal shop like vera wang outlet at marina.
I do ala cart also, cause i dont like 'hard sell'. Rent my vera wang gown from a home based bridal shop. Their deisgner gown range between '$550 - $650', inclusive of dry clean.
Very happy with their service and gown.
what normally bridal shop hard sell? i am only looking for actual package. what normally they will hard sell for ad? so lost so many thing to source for a wedding. so headache
sherlyn1620
Member
Bridal studios will usually hard sell their packages first and how good their service is. Try and up sell you... Probably telling you things like wedding is a once in a lifetime affair, don't scrimp and save and shortchanged yourself. Why don't you top up a bit more and get this other (more expensive) package? Don't live to regret etc etc.
Then when you've taken their package, you're like a ball in their hands. During pre-wed photo selection, they'll tell you how good you & ur partner looks in this photo, or how rare it is that you get this lighting or how unique this venue is etc. When you say you're ok to take (just that one photo) it, they'll say oh... This photo and the rest (maybe 5-7) of the photos are a theme, so during photo book layout, it's nicer that they are arranged as a set. So you'll end up paying much more for the package than you intended because most of the money will go to the photos. Each photo is about $125-$150, from the few bridal studios which are willing to share the price with me.
Some will tell you, to select their premium gowns, you need to top up eg $700, otherwise it's the "past season" gowns.
And there'll be additional cost you need to pay for the package make up artist if you need the MUA to show up before a certain time at your place for AD.
All these will bump up AD cost and when you add up everything together, your "package" may end up costing $9000-12000. I've got friends who end up paying that sum for their bridal package. This probably excludes the bridal car rental if it's not included in the package.
Hope this helps
Then when you've taken their package, you're like a ball in their hands. During pre-wed photo selection, they'll tell you how good you & ur partner looks in this photo, or how rare it is that you get this lighting or how unique this venue is etc. When you say you're ok to take (just that one photo) it, they'll say oh... This photo and the rest (maybe 5-7) of the photos are a theme, so during photo book layout, it's nicer that they are arranged as a set. So you'll end up paying much more for the package than you intended because most of the money will go to the photos. Each photo is about $125-$150, from the few bridal studios which are willing to share the price with me.
Some will tell you, to select their premium gowns, you need to top up eg $700, otherwise it's the "past season" gowns.
And there'll be additional cost you need to pay for the package make up artist if you need the MUA to show up before a certain time at your place for AD.
All these will bump up AD cost and when you add up everything together, your "package" may end up costing $9000-12000. I've got friends who end up paying that sum for their bridal package. This probably excludes the bridal car rental if it's not included in the package.
Hope this helps
what normally bridal shop hard sell? i am only looking for actual package. what normally they will hard sell for ad? so lost so many thing to source for a wedding. so headache
Agree with what @sherlyn1620 say. Just like one of my friend, she sign up a taiwan package around $2k+, before sign up everything they also say okay but at the end she top up another $1k+ for those 'hidden cost' only for the pre wedding shoot.
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Actually.. u don't pay for trying out. I signed up a package with the bridal shop for just gown rental & MUA only. Which I find the deal pretty decent since is almost the same as per gown renting.
But @bbley, if you are on budget... why not consider Taobao? Would it be more worth it or buy 2nd hand ones if you don't mind?
But @bbley, if you are on budget... why not consider Taobao? Would it be more worth it or buy 2nd hand ones if you don't mind?
So end up only the pre wedding shoot already cost her $4+
Anyway, just for your references. Some ppl like packages cause everything included, some ppl like a la cart cause they can choose the gown and photographer they like. Its mostly depends on your personal choice.
Good luck to you
Anyway, just for your references. Some ppl like packages cause everything included, some ppl like a la cart cause they can choose the gown and photographer they like. Its mostly depends on your personal choice.
Good luck to you
I had to pay $20 to try 5 dresses at mydreamwedding budget (dress rental under $399 I think). Was taken aback when I was told that because it wasn't stated on they website and neither was I informed when I made the appt. But since I travelled all the way there I just paid.
I am not taking the prewed photos. so only looking for AD package. Didnt know there is so much hidden cost and top up. thanks for sharing.
my husband to be dont like taking photos. so we dont plan to take prewed. only looking for ad package.
only ad package already super headache liao cant imagine if take prewed think my husband to be will scream haha
can share the contacts of the mua and bridal shop. how much do you paid for. my friend have bad experience from taobao she bought a wedding gown and evening gown. the photo and the actual gown material is so much diff. Instead of saving $$ by ordering at taobao end up she spend more.
Oh so your bridal shop also need to pay to try the gown. Actually what is the reason that we need to pay to try the gown? anyone know?
sherlynchong
Member
My dream wedding the one at Tanjong Pagar?
Hi, can across yours. I am also a budget person, but having a few headaches as i am a plus size (uk12/uk14). Do they have gowns for plus size?
sherlyn1620
Member
I believe they have. Went down few days back to try my rom dress, saw a plus size bride. Not too sure if the selection is gonna differ though.
They're at 61 Ubi road 1, #03-31 Oxley Bizhub.
U might wanna call up before u head down to check. My coordinator is Valent 9763 3766. Very patient so far cos I kept trying on gowns. She's friendly and helpful throughout. Didn't rush me into choosing. Offers suggestions too. Left me alone when I needed to. So works well for me.
Hi all BTBs. Am wondering would it be weird if I walk into a BS alone to try out the gowns. I heard from a Friend that most BS would not let me try on unless I sign a package with them. But reading the comments in this thread, it seems not very true. Would appreciate if anyone could advise on BS that allows us to try out perhaps? Coz I'm pondering whether to buy from taobao instead as the prices differs quite a bit. Am on a tight Budget... TIA~~
Nope, at ubi.
Its the only place that I came across to ask me to pay to try. Its a small sum so I didn't mind. I suspect it's to make sure you aren't there for fun to waste their time?
bluepaperrose
Member
Nope I don't think so. I went to ask about AD packages and they showed me all their gowns, asked me what kind I like and asked if I would like to try. The bridal stores that I've been to are Cangai (which I signed with eventually), Rico, Digio.
Can try Cangai because it was the most affordable of all the ones I've been to. I signed w them not purely because of the price, but their gowns and service as well. Look for Mia if you're heading there! She's wonderful
Nope I don't think so. I went to ask about AD packages and they showed me all their gowns, asked me what kind I like and asked if I would like to try. The bridal stores that I've been to are Cangai (which I signed with eventually), Rico, Digio.
Can try Cangai because it was the most affordable of all the ones I've been to. I signed w them not purely because of the price, but their gowns and service as well. Look for Mia if you're heading there! She's wonderful
Thanks for your info! Btw this is their website right?http://www.cangai.tw/ how are their prices like? If it's affordable I might just settle for one locally instead of getting from taobao. Anyway nothing Beats fitting the dress on physically yea?
bluepaperrose
Member
Yes, and I've PMed youThanks for your info! Btw this is their website right?http://www.cangai.tw/ how are their prices like? If it's affordable I might just settle for one locally instead of getting from taobao. Anyway nothing Beats fitting the dress on physically yea?
i see, i was wondering why is there a fee to try out the gown.
Thanks for your info! Btw this is their website right?http://www.cangai.tw/ how are their prices like? If it's affordable I might just settle for one locally instead of getting from taobao. Anyway nothing Beats fitting the dress on physically yea?
Do they have AD package only? is cangai located at tanjong pagar?
dear btbs, just a sharing that i had attended a skincare & makeup workshop over the weekend. i find it very useful for btb.
The workshop is conducted by a makeup artist, she is very good not only teaches the skin care and makeup techniques, she also advise what are the thing to prepare of our wedding day. I like the touch up session whereby she also teach how to glue the eyelash when the fake eyelash is dropping. I think is quite common for fake eyelash to drop during our wedding day.
The workshop is conducted by a makeup artist, she is very good not only teaches the skin care and makeup techniques, she also advise what are the thing to prepare of our wedding day. I like the touch up session whereby she also teach how to glue the eyelash when the fake eyelash is dropping. I think is quite common for fake eyelash to drop during our wedding day.
sherlyn1620
Member
I went to My Bridal Room at Tan Quee Lan, they allowed me to try on 2 gowns without paying any fee. Of course I sat down for a package sharing session for about an hour after that. Told them I couldn't decide cos I need to discuss with HTB who isn't here with me. Found it a little expensive though with things I didn't need but can't really replace with others or lower cost.
A friend went to a few BS at Tanjong Pagar. She said they allowed her to try on gowns too.
Thought about getting gowns from Taobao too cos wanna cut cost, then I heard stories about how gown doesn't fit well, need to spend money to alter or gown doesn't even look good on bride then end up gotta spend more to rent another.
Decided to just bite the bullet and go rent. Went for a la carte with BQueens in the end.
Under $2000 package for my HTB suits, suits for the dads and my own gowns. No restriction for indoor or outdoor gown. No hidden costs (at least not so far).
BitBit58
New Member
Nope I don't think so. I went to ask about AD packages and they showed me all their gowns, asked me what kind I like and asked if I would like to try. The bridal stores that I've been to are Cangai (which I signed with eventually), Rico, Digio.
Can try Cangai because it was the most affordable of all the ones I've been to. I signed w them not purely because of the price, but their gowns and service as well. Look for Mia if you're heading there! She's wonderful
Hi bluepaperrose, can you PM me your wedding package with Cang Ai? Thanks a lot!
That's nice! Seems like most BS along tg pagar are quite alright with btbs trying on their gowns. I'll surely pop by them one day. But I wonder how many bs will one be able to visit in a day?
sherlyn1620
Member
Guess there's not hard and fuss rule for this.
I'm probably not a very patient and meticulous bride. I went into 2 or 3 BS and I made a decision alr.
Found it tiring to go BS scouting over and over again. And I didn't want to have information overload. Haha.
Didn't really try those BS at Tg Pgr partly cos I didn't have much confidence in them after what happened to Sophia Wedding Collection (the BS that went MIA and left many couples stranded before their AD ).
Try Trina Yin Makeup, she did my makeup before, very professional. Find her on fb.
I'm going ala Carte because I want to engage this particular photographer. The gowns made to measure for rent because I was unable to find dresses I like that fit me.
jennykyung
Member
Anyone sign up with louvre bridal for AD? Is it good?
do prepare to pay more due to alot of hidden costs.. have regretted since signed package w them
jennykyung
Member
Same. Signed up with them and realized a lot of top up cost required. Do you have trial makeup? Need to top up for their trial make up
Same. Signed up with them and realized a lot of top up cost required. Do you have trial makeup? Need to top up for their trial make up
need to pay for trial makeup.. when is ur big day? who is your coordinator?
From my research, most bridals don't provide trial makeup and mother's makeup. For those bridals I was forced to sit down at BOWS do throw in the trial makeup for free, maybe to get us to commit on impulse for their freebies.
Thats' why we got very irritated over the pushy sales we had experienced at BOWs.
This time, we are shortlisting a few bridals to visit base on reviews. I am planning to visit Louvre Bridal and Tiara Bridal tomorrow to find out more.
Actually, I have read some blogs on makeup workshops organized by Louvre Bridal and their makeup was one of the reasons to keep them in my shortlist.
It will be useful to add on our information if you could share on your coordinator and your package to me. I have PM you and hope you can reply to me today.
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