How to bargain for a wedding package

There are a variety of wedding packages from different bridal shops in Malaysia. However, none of them should be signed without bargaining. This could sounds hard but if you would want to get a wedding package that can gives you more value for money, you will need to learn how to bargain and negotiate.

Here are some tips for bargaining:

Before bargaining, do your homework:

1. Surf online or pay visits to a few bridal shops to get an overview on the price range.
2. Draft out a list of items that you will needs for your wedding in two categories – “must have” category, and “nice to have” category. You may use “Checklist forWedding Package” to help you.

When you are approached by the sales person:

1. If you have a budget, inform the sales person. So that you are not wasting your own time listening to the sales person promoting on some expensive packages that you are not interested in.
2. Understand the items offer in the package. Usually the standard items are listed down and the sales person will tell you about it.
   Some common items that usually included in the package are:
      * Actual day (AD) wedding and evening gowns
      * Actual day (AD) groom’s suit and pants
      * Actual day (AD) make-up and hairdo
      * Actual day (AD) hand bouquet
      * Actual day (AD) bridal car decorations
      * Outfits for pre-wedding photo shoot (PS), for both indoor (studio) and outdoor
      * Make up and hairdo for pre-wedding photo shoot (PS)
      * Free use of accessories for pre-wedding photo shoot (PS)
      * 15-25 copies of photo in wedding album
      * Framed portrait
      * 8R table top
      * Photo CD
3. Ask every single item of your concern in details, and make sure they are written. For example, the wedding package may have include a photo CD by default, but with no information on the file type of the photo softcopy (whether it is resized and whether it is). Resized photo has little value as it cannot be used for framed prints later on. You may ask for an upgrade to high resolution photo softcopy without paying extra (Else you may be charged for upgrading your photo softcopy if you have signed the package without asking in advance). You may refer to “Checklist for Wedding Package” for more information.
4. Check with your own list of “must have” items. Are they all covered in the package? If not, you may ask if they can be included in. For example, more AD evening gowns if you plan to have wedding dinners at several locations. Most bridal shop will customize the package to fit your needs. Sometimes, this may cause the price of the package to increase. Make your decision if the new price is worth. If you are unsure but think the package is acceptable, ask the sales person to reserve it as an option that you can switch between the packages at any time later on.
5. Not good enough? Try to ask for more at the same price! You may try to ask for the items in your “nice-to-have” list.
      * More outfits for pre-wedding photo shoot
      * More copies of photo in wedding album. Try to request for more as the 20 over copies of photo is usually not enough for a wedding album and you do not want to end up spending more for additional copies of photo.
      * Reduce the price for additional copies of photo.
      * if you have not register your marriage, ask for a ROM package such as ROM dress, make-up, hair-do, hand bouquet, and free use of accessories
      * Actual day dress for bridesmaid and jackets for bestman
      * Actual day tea dress (kuah).
      * 4R give-away photos if not included in package. If already included, ask for more.
      * Mini album
      * Guestbook / Signature book
      * Photo montage slide show
      * Other free gifts by the bridal shop (Some bridal shops have their own special free gifts, such as couple mug).

After the negotiation:

Once you are done with the negotiation, the sales person will try to push for a sale by asking you to sign the package and pay for the deposit. Here are a few things to consider before you make any payment:

1. Are you really satisfied with the package? Of course besides considering the price you may also need to consider the other criteria such as the quality of the photographers and the service to decide whether this is really a good package that worth the money. Check out “how to choose a suitable wedding package” for what are the items you need to consider for a wedding package. Only sign up the package if and only if you are satisfied with the package.
2. Is there any discount / promotion if deposit or payment is made by today? Some bridal shop will gives discount or promotion items (such as travelling package) especially if you pay in full. This usually be true if you sign the package during a wedding fair. However, it is not advisable to pay the package in full unless it is really a very good offer and you are very confident with the service.
3. Amount of deposit that has to be made.  Try to have the deposit as low as possible. Do not pay as per the sales person ask for such as 50% or even 70% of the package price unless you are very satisfied with the package. This is to allow room for other changes. Who knows if you may get a better wedding package offer from other bridal shop? Simple excuses such as “I don’t bring my credit card today” can be used if you are refusing to pay the huge amount of deposit.

We hope all these tips will be helpful for you to bargain in getting a wedding package in budget. 

By: *Treno&Jaclynn*