3. Wedding tips for choosing bridal studios

Please set a budget when you choose your bridal studio! Heee.... It is very easy to get out of hand. Please note that the below is not a comprehensive list of bridal studios. Just some samples that I come across.

Bridal Studios Types
There are typically few categories:

1. High end (above 8k)
   
2. Good Mid-range package (3k above wihout photoshoot)
3. DIY package (Chim Culture, Zann & Denn)
   
4. Comprehensive package (comes with car, off-the-rack / made-to-measure gowns with in-house photographers)

High End (Sorry, my homework in this category is quite limited, because it is way beyond my budget.)

• Vera Wang
• Marianna Harwick

Good Mid-range
They typically tie-up with professional photography studios which provide studio or outdoor photography service. Generally cost above 2k. Strongly recommended if you have the budget. SO the whole wedding typically adds up to 5k++. They provide good service. And if you have a special gown (especially embroidery, lace) in mind, they are most probably the ones who can do it. Please do make appointments before going down. For instance:

• Wedding Present Bride
  
• Silhouette
• Jawn Happy Ever After
  
• Flamingo
• Irene's creation
• MargaretBrides
• Emanuel B. Couture
• Ted Wu
  

(Click to go to their website.)
Pros:
- They allow you to wear your own gown for outdoor shoot.
- Good service
- Quality gown esp embroidery/lace. Lower range Bridal studio may not be able to make them, even though they also do made-to measure. Otherwise they charge a premium and end up more costly than the mid-range ones.
- Reputable

Cons:
- Limited selection of gown for your studio shoot. Usu only your wedding gown, evening gown and a Kua.

Comprehensive
Typically the "Taiwanese" style where they allow few changes, five hair-dos for the studio shoots, and you "pose" for the photos. Usually they do not allow you to wear your actual gown for your outdoor shoot. Most of them have their in-house photographers. For instance:

• Yvonne Creative
• Flamingo Bridal
• Diogiobridal (Sister company of Golden Horse Awards)
• Bridal Zone
• Bridal Veil
  

Pros:
- More variety in photoshoot (in terms of number of hair-dos and gowns). Largely because their main stream of revenue is from the photos rather than the gowns.
- More comprehensive. Car deco and car included. SOme even include the dress for the bridemaid and jackets for fathers.
- More flexible ( You can have a good bargain if you are really good with it.)

Cons:
- There are more "sharks". Be careful where you choose from. Do check out the SingaporeBrides forum before signing up. Some have really lousy after-sales service and use hard selling tactics. Find out all the hidden costs.
- Cannot wear actual gown for outdoor shoot. Only for in-door shoot.

Bridal Studio Style
Just to let you have an idea of some of the strengths of some of the bridal studios:

• Embroidery: Blush Blush, Amanda Lee, Ted Wu
• Coloured Embroidery: Emanuel B. Couture
• Laces: Margaret Brides, Julia Wedding News
• Frills, organza, chiffon: Tan Yoong, Kai, Bridal Wardrobe
• European Influence: Sattine
• Swarvokski Crystals: Bridel Veil
• Cheongsam style: Dang
• Knots: Ivoiry Isle
• Beaded Gowns: Federick Lee
• Low Back: Divine, Silverlining
• Ethnic Influence: Hanna Huang, Style Bridal

R.O.M / Bridesmaid dress
Heard about Olive Suite and Empire. Personally, I never try them. Cos mine all held on the same day. And I intend to ask my bridesmaids to get their dress from Just Fashion, located at Century Square/North Point. Sometimes there are nice collection that cost around $80+. :p

Men Suit
Boy got his from The Suit Collection, also known as Dickson Menswear, Suntec fountain, opp KFC Tel:68369078. You have to make appointment. That uncle is a super busy man. Quite reasonable price. Good cut and design. ;) hehe..I think it look great on boy lah.

You can check out Raffles Tailor and Kingsmen too. We din check them out. beyond budget. :p But most of the Mid range packages tie up with these two shops.