Or maybe XX put in a lot of effort to plan for the proposal in Japan, Hakone. Afterall, he went for meetings secretly and nv expected that the weather in Hakone to be so bad.
I don know. But the next ste after "Yes, I do" is no less easier. LOL.
Before i start writing down my thoughts abt the process.
(Its been about 6 mths since i said YES! I officially started planning in December 2014?)
Here's my word of advice:
It's seems really easy to understand and hard to comprehend (Its contradicts yes!!!) Everyone wants a memorable wedding. Once in a lifetime is a phrase that is too heavy on our shoulders.
The result is, we tend to focus on too many things. But there's just so many details and so many things to consider. We end up making ourselves tired and dreadful of this entire process.
Valerie has been offering me valuable advice and opinions. She also ask me to wake up too many times. Thank you.
Today, i tell myself, i wanna enjoy my wedding planning process. I have about 13 more months to go. Its seem too much, too little.
Let me quote this from Yahoo.
The truth of the matter is that while this is a momentous occasion worth celebrating, it's the marriage that will last, not the wedding day. Think about what you remember from weddings you've attended; chances are you won't recall what the centerpieces even were. What you hopefully do remember, and what you will hopefully remember from your own special day, is the love between the newly married couple and being surrounded by the people who are important to you, and that's not something you purchase.
Lets begin:
BUDGET.
Never take a loan for wedding.
There are more impt bills to come later in life.
Once you fix a budget, stick to it.
Do up an excel file and keep track of your spending.
Its good to make sure that you do not exceed budget for what you planned to spend.
Next step: Photography
Most started with finding hotel first. It will be another 1.5 yrs before my proposed wedding day. Most hotels have not come out with the rates and dates yet. That being said, you can start counting the number of tables you need and go to http://singaporebrides.com/wedding_banquet_pricelist.php to shortlist what are some of the hotels you have in mind.
I started looking for my photographer first. You can book the photographer in advance to lock the rates!
It took me great pain to find the right photographer for pre-wedding (PW) and actual day (AD).
Even the first step is difficult.
First question:
Singapore or Overseas?Well, ask yourself what's your budget. Simple. Haha.
Second question:
Ala carte or Bridal studio (BS)?Ala carte:
- The social media allows you to know ALOT of photographers (PG) you nv know existed. It opens up your world. You realise wedding photos can be so nicely taken. This couple took their PW photoshoot overseas!!! How beautiful. They must be very rich. You go drooling over it. (i did. Haha)
- Ala carte overseas is expensive. You have to pay for their air tickets and accommodation. Unforeseeable weather conditions, less control etc.
- Its cheaper to go for Singapore Ala crate.
- Going for ala carte also means, you source your own gowns for PW photoshoot and AD event/AD day photographer/Videographer. It will be a bomb. Everything adds up.
- BS is MUCH cheaper.
- Their package usually includes alot of stuffs and the prices are VERY competitive and attractive.
- Go for wedding road shows as there are lots of additional perks. I suggest that you do homework before going for the road show by reading reviews/forums online. Dont succumb to pressurize and sign the package because you think those perks are worth it!
You take the photoshoot with 5 different gowns. There's thousand and one photos taken that day.
If you give up the photos now, you will nv see it again. If you buy too little, the photographer is gg to give you a black face. Face the facts, you will not give up the photos. HAHA. BS earn by editing the photos and sell it to you.
Its really very hard to choose JUST 30 photos for your album. I value photos alot. To me, these are photos i take for my wedding when i am 26. I cant turn back clock. These are CRUCIAL and of importance to me. I know i will spend a bomb for my photos.
Either way, i am doomed. I am prepared for a hefty bill. (Unless you are really determined.)
Is it really that cheap? Maybe not so, for me.
Korea/Korean Bridal studio:
Image from Chungdam Studio. Love this photo alot.
Although i must say i am very tempted by the Korean style shoots. I know i am contradicting myself. Korean style photoshoot are taken in bridal studios.
Then again, everyone used to go gaga over Taiwan pre-wedding shoots. In 2015, everyone flock to Korea due to K-POP. Nowadays, the trend is to go for Korea style shoots.
That being said, i genuinely think Korean style photoshoots are really nice. You can do so by doing one of the following:
- Find an agent in Singapore and go Korea for the photoshoot. (Ie. K wedding/White link bridal etc)
- Liaise with the bridal agency in Korea and fly there directly for the photoshoot (Jamie from Chungdam Studio)
- Find a Singapore Bridal Studio that does Korean style photoshoot.
I am gg Korea in November 2015, and hence i am toying with the idea 1 and 2. I read the forums and noted that the cheapest to take PW shoot in korea is to contact the agent directly.
You may Goggle Chungdam Studio and find the reviews. Check out the backgrounds for 2015!
I prefer the 2014 ones though. HAHA.
http://www.thechungdamstudio.com/list.htm?gallery_type=2
Tbh, the rates that they offered fits my budget. 3 million won for 1 day of indoor and outdoor photoshoot. You will get the original soft copies(about 600). Its really a good deal.
There are other perks given to me, but i shall not share them for confidentiality as they keep changing. Jamie reply your emails very fast anyway. Just email her! (:
Jamie's Email: flake7@nate.com
I even emailed a girl about her thoughts abt her pleasant experience with Chungdam studio. She is really v nice and patient with me. Thank you!
But i didnt go for it in the end. She said she is not concerned with the gowns, but for the background and the overall feel of the photos.
I cant accept the short gown selection process. I have abt 30 mins to choose the gowns for the shoot.
(I went for the gown trying session with Bridal Affairs and realised that i am very particular about gowns.)
I know i cant do it in 30 mins.
The gowns i tried at Bridal Affairs are all chio. But its not THE ONE yet.
You just know if its THE ONE.
I spent hours in the shop but only like 1 gown. Cause i am very particular. LOL.
I cant assume i am gg to like the gowns given to me to try from Chungdam Studio. Its more like, I am forced to choose this gown.
You can pay for a nominal fee to visit the studio a day beforehand to try though!
I dont think i can accommodate another day in Korea for that. My tickets are alr booked.
Third Question: (After answering one and two)
BudgetYes, wedding is all about budget.
HAHA.
After i have focused on Ala carte, i need to hunt for a PG to take my PW, i started to email those PG i have in mind.
Usually, you need at least 3 photographers and here's the rough breakdown. Prices depend on your budget and the photographer you find:
Pre-wedding Photographer (PW PG) - $2,000
Actual Day Photographer (AD PG) - $2,500
Actual Day Videographers. (AD VG) - $2,500
Total: $7,000
And these excludes the price of the gowns/suits. Are you feeling the heat yet!
(BS only cost $4,000 including gowns/suits and PW photography. Some even comes with AD PG!)
Its cheaper to find packages that offers a bundle.
For example,
A special price if you engage the AD PG and their partnering VG tgt.
Or best, you find a photographer that settles both your PW and AD tgt, and engage their partner for VG.
After emailing a few PG and comparing prices/perks, i decided on my first choice.
Before i said "yes", I fell in love with their sunset shoots. I tell myself, i am gg to shortlist Pixioo.
I am sticking to my choice. (Of course, it also after a careful and serious thought after looking at the price and perks.)
I am really happy with my choice and i am not looking back.
I told Samuel that i am gg to have depression if the weather aren't cooperative that day.
I don know why i love these orange tones from sunset so much.
I love them and hoped i can have such weather when i took my photoshoot with XX 2 yrs ago. Sadly, the weather arent cooperative.
I hope it will be good when i take mine.
These are so pretty.
God, please nice to me.
