Planning a wedding made easy

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BIG names in the wedding industry for just about everything wedding-related came together in a single event and offered attractive prices and promotions that encouraged on-the-spot purchases and bookings during the Big Bridal Sale.

Vendors said the sale element made the event unique because the norm for bridal fairs was just to hand out brochures with a small exhibition or fashion show.

“Most couples who come are able to make decisions and bookings on the spot because the offers are only available for a limited time,” Jim Liaw of Jim Liaw Photography said.

Exclusive: Liaw showing the wedding albums that he uses.

As with all the other vendors, Liaw offered something special at the sale and in his case it was a cheaper destination pre-wedding photography package.

“Usually such packages would include the price of two photographers’ flight tickets, accommodation and meals but we’re not charging couples for these if they book this package here,” Liaw said.

Designer Eric Choong was selling his much sought after wedding wear at prices starting from RM180 during the two-day event held at the Sime Darby Convention Centre.

“This is definitely a unique event because customers can try on my one-of-a-kind pieces instead of just seeing them on a model on stage,” Choong said.

Organiser WeddingsbyEternal managing editor Kimberley Tan said the event was a way of providing couples with a comprehensive platform to share information with industry experts.

Pretty: Emma K offers all kinds of cards, gift wrap, boxes and stationery.

“When couples decide on something for their wedding, price is usually a big factor. Faced with the current economic situation, most may not realise what they are forgoing when they go for low prices,” Tan said.

She added that the event was also to instill the idea that it was always good to do research when it came to wedding expenditure.

“It’s one of the most memorable days in their lives and it should not be marred by common mistakes a couple can make because they did not have the advantage of getting tips and advise from professionals,” Tan added.

About 200 couples attended the inaugural event that Tan said would be made into an annual one.

Yong Lok Sze, 27, a doctor and her fiance Tan Yih Siang, 31, an aviation engineer flew to Kuala Lumpur specially for the sale which a friend told them about.

Lucky couple: (From left) Tan and Yong receiving their prize from Tan.

“We were interested in booking a pre-wedding photography package with Jim Liaw Photography and when we found out that he was offering a special price at this event, we decided to come,” Yong said.

She added that the event saved them a lot of trouble and time of having to go from one shop to another seeking what they wanted for their wedding.

They both work in Singapore and planned on having their wedding in Bali at the end of next year and was happy with their RM8,800 destination photography package with their desired photographer.

As the first couple who spent more than RM5,000 at the sale that day, they also received a free two-night honeymoon package at the exclusive Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi in Chiang Mai, Thailand, worth more than RM8,000.