Wedding Packages VS À La Carte Vendors

Wedding Packages VS À La Carte Vendors

by gaby tan

In Singapore, bridal packages and à la carte wedding vendors offer different approaches to planning your wedding, each with its own set of advantages and considerations.

Knowing what type of route to choose is the first step of your wedding journey! Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between packages and à la carte vendors.

Bridal Packages

Comprehensive Services

Bridal packages usually bundle multiple services together, such as photography, videography, makeup and hair, gown rental, and sometimes even venue decoration. This can simplify the planning process as you deal with a single vendor for multiple needs.

Cost-Effective

These packages are often priced lower than if you were to hire each service separately, making it a budget-friendly option.

Less Control and Flexibility

Since the package is pre-designed, you may have less flexibility to choose specific vendors or tailor services to your exact preferences.

Cookie-Cutter style

There is usually a standardized style of editing and posing, so the wedding experience and photos often look the same for each couple. Many bridal shop companies also heavily edit the facial features of the couple, making it hard for the couples to recognize themselves if they are not used to the heavy edits.

Hidden Costs and Top-Ups

‘Cheap’ packages often have to make up for their low prices somewhere, and that could mean additional fees for things you thought were included.
Also, the vendors partnered with bridal shops aren’t always compensated sustainably. This can sometimes result in being assigned a less experienced associate who’s just starting out in the industry. Upgrading to a more seasoned professional could mean paying extra top-ups.

À La Carte Vendors

Highly Personalized

Hiring à la carte vendors allows you to pick and choose each service based on your specific needs and preferences. You will be able to customize every aspect, from the number of hours of photography, to the number of looks. This approach lets you customize every little detail, making it perfect for couples who have a clear vision and want to take more control on their wedding planning.

Quality Control

A la carte vendors are passionate professionals who will pour their heart and soul into your wedding. Because their brand and reputation are on the line, and they genuinely care about creating something extraordinary for your big day. This level of dedication often translates into a more personalized and high-quality experience.

Higher Costs

While going the à la carte route gives you tons of flexibility, it can also be a bit pricier since each vendor sets their own rates, and the cost can add up quickly. However, this approach lets you prioritize what matters most to you and you get to decide where to splurge and where to save.

More Coordination

You’ll need to manage multiple vendors, which can be time-consuming and require more effort in terms of coordination and communication.

To sum it up, bridal packages are perfect for couples who value convenience, cost savings, and a hassle-free planning process. If you’re okay with a more standardized approach and don’t mind less customization, this could be the ideal choice for you.

On the other hand, à la carte vendors are perfect for couples who dream of a highly personalized, quality-driven wedding. If you’re willing to invest a little more time and money and want to have full control over every detail, this route lets you create a day that’s truly one-of-a-kind.

As an à la carte wedding vendor myself, I’m a little biased toward the ala carte approach. But that’s just my two cents! I’d love to hear your thoughts. Which route will you go for? Have something to add? Drop a comment below!

Cover photo by Dapper Pictures