Hunt for BS - Part II

The search is over.

It was amazing how we did this. It was a long and gruelling 4-hour discussion, which started from 9pm last night. And we finally signed on the dotted line at 1am +.

And I am now an official Sophia BTB!

Sophia Wedding Collection was my sister's BS 6 years ago. And that was also how long I have heard of their gorgeous gowns and excellent customer service. But it was coincidence that we dropped by the shop last night, after being utterly disappointed with the hard selling techniques seen at Suntec Wedding Festival the same evening. We did not plan to sign any plan so early, but I guess their whole service and persuasion from Sophia Wedding moved us to bits =)

Anyways, let start off with their gowns from "Latest Collection". It is heavenly! And it is an understatement as their OTR gowns look so classy and gorgeous that it will make you feel and look like a queen. The enormous amount of embroidery, crystals and french laces are unlike what was seen in other BS. Served by Ms Lynn the designer, she is such as a pro in describing and explaining the cut and design of each gown that we wowed with excitement as she brought pieces after pieces off the racks for our salivation. How I wished I could take photographs of the gowns!

We then asked to see the "Non-Latest Collection" gowns. I would say they look pretty good too. But the package comes with a classic album which does not include any digital design nor hot pressed seams. We were then shown the digital albums by the inhouse photography Mr Shawn and photography styles of at least 5 other couples, before we settled down to discuss further on the details of the package.

As it grows deeper into the night at 11pm, we were served by Ms Ann the consultant, who also happens to be the consultant for Tianyou and Ziyi. She was so friendly and accommodating to our needs and budget. Even though she was having a mild flu, but she was still very patient with our long list of enquires. (Luckily I bought the Bridal checklist together with me and we have the lap top with use to check online!)

After another hour of long discussion with Desmond on what the priorities in the package are, we managed to prepare for the most important task. NEGOTIATIONS! For more freebies, bargains and discounts!! By that time, my eyes were already red and dry and very very tired, so Desmond did a good job on the negotiation part single-handed. Also we are the only couple left in the shop, and the consultants are anxious to go home, so I thought it was the best time to negotiate for the best deals. Here is finally what we will be getting from their OTR package!

1. Actual Wedding Day
Wedding Gown - 1 set OTR (Latest Collection)
Evening Gown - 1 set OTR (Latest Collection)
Tea Dress (Cheong Sum) or KUA - 1 set OTR
Accessories for the Gown - 1 set
Gent's Suits - 2 sets OTR
Father's jackets - 2 sets OTR
Bridal Makeup & Hairdo (Morning and Evening)
Bridal Hand Bouquet (Fresh Flowers) and 6 Corsages
Bridal Car Decoration with Netting and Artificial Flowers
Decoration for following cars with ribbons (unlimited)

2. ROM package
ROM dress - 1 set OTR
ROM Makeup & Hairdo
Hand Bouquet (Fresh Flowers)
Accessories for dress - 1 set
Gent's Suit - 1 set OTR

3. Photography Session
Bridal Gown - 4 sets (Can be different from the 2 sets above)
Accessories for the Gown - 1 set
Bridal Makeup and Hairdo including fake eyelashes and wig - 4 changes
Artificial flowers for Hairdo
Gent's suit - 2 sets
Gent's makeup and hairstyling
Indoor and Outdoor Photography - Unlimited locations
4. Momentos to Keep
50 poses with Digital Album and Hot pressed seam (15' x 24') - 20 pages
50 poses with CD JPEG format (Duplicate of above)
24' x 30' Canvas Portrait - 1 piece with frame
8R Table top - 1 piece with frame
4R photos - 24pcs OR Thank You :Photo cards - 200 pcs with 2 poses
4R photos in mini album - 20pcs
Wedding Night Signature Book - 1 set
8R Anniversary Photo shot - 1 piece/ year

We wanted to bargained for more poses, but was unable to do so. I believed that 60 poses will be the perfect quantity to fit into the storybook album, but I guess we can still make do with 50. And yes! They are giving us 24 pcs of 4R loose photos, which I can then make them into my beautiful beautiful wedding scrapbooks!

I was especially fascinated at how they were able to throw in the ROM package for me as well. Now I am thinking whether to have the ROM on separate days in other to make use of this special offer. And there will be Cheong Sum for the tea ceremony! Excited!

Since we still have a long way to AD, we decided to make the PS early, likely to be late Sept this year during my 2 month semester break. This will mean that we will be choosing the gowns around June/July during my 2 week term break. And because I am taking my PS a year before AD, they will allow me to choose two fresh AD gowns, instead of the gowns I wore for the PS! Amazing deal! All in all, this means that pre-wedding bridal work will be completed by early 2010, giving us another 6 months to prepare for other stuffs for AD in Sept 2010.

The hunt for BS has ended, but happiness has just begun!