Pre-Wedding Photoshoot & Honeymoon in Europe on a Cheap Budget

We all know balancing your dream wedding with a budget is a tough task, so here are some tips to save money on many wedding services and items, by up to S$10,000!

For all big purchases, definitely use a credit card which can give you rebates or miles which can save $500+ (AMEX credit cards give you 1.5% cashback).

OUTFITS

You'll need your own outfits for this to work. We got our wedding gown made-to-order at Vivian Gown, a home-based seamstress in Sengkang, at $1,450 for a classic Rosa Clara (2015) design (they do not do rentals at the moment). Tuxedo sets (Shirt, Coat, Pants) are available online for as low as $70 (or you can rent these).

Toko Aljunied in Kampong Glam is great for Nonya clothes, from cheap outfits to intricate high-end designs (costing hundreds). We bought a Kebaya at $650 and a Batik t-shirt (male version) for an affordable $50.

PRE-WEDDING SHOOT & HOLIDAY (PRE-HONEYMOON / HONEYMOON)

We saved thousands doing an overseas shoot (about 5 months before our wedding) through OneThreeOneFour (1314): They have a network of freelance makeup artists and photographers in selected countries whom clients can book via their website. Note they do not provide outfits, you have to bring those in your luggage.

Then we booked plane tickets plus accommodation for a free & easy 9D8N France & Switzerland holiday to coincide with the Paris shoot.

A month later, we packed our stuff (gown, tux and all) and flew over (photoshoot was on the third day). Makeup/hair artist came in very early to our Paris airbnb (4 am) and did her magic before we Ubered to Trocedaro where a friendly local photographer led us on a shoot around the city. Quite cold but photos came out great!

Next, we did our own road trip (considered our honeymoon) through southeast France and nearby.

We journeyed to Lyon, then Switzerland and returned to Paris via the Champagne region. Got more great material for our photobook too!

Feel free to do the photoshoot/holiday earlier, but not too late or it would be a rush to DIY the wedding video (we used the Animoto website).

A shorter and nearer destination like Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, or Hokkaido) or Korea can be half the price at $2,500 for two!

City Plaza is a haven for cheap wedding outfits, evening gowns and accessories (including party items) for everyone involved. They also sell good quality shoes and bags at bargain prices. (L = Level Number)

For a themed gatecrashing/wedding, you can rent costumes at Customade Costume & Merchandise (CCM), which has a huge range at decent prices.

Amazon is another good place to browse and buy outfits or costumes (I got my best men's orange astronaut suits there).

Total Savings: ~$10,100

SUMMARY

There you have it, an affordable and exciting holiday intertwined with your pre-wedding photoshoot.

Or simply just register ROM, get married for only $42, and save big time; $60,000 can pay for a nice house in full in many countries!

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