PWS costs!
Hello fellow brides to be!!!
As a graduated bride, I wanted to share some of my own experience! I’ve shared about my overseas PWS so this is more on my local pws!
For local pws I’ve spent ~ 1.5k
📸:$600
indoor studio: $160
MUA: $590 (bcos I added for follow thru. But tbh I think you can skip the follow thru!)
PWS outfit (3 outfits): $140.26
Veils: $11.35
Bouquet: $30 from Taobao!
Accessories (optional): fake cake ($10)
majority of the pws costs were saved from the gowns!
loaning gowns cost about $700-$1k in the market. I didn’t want to spend $700 just for phototaking and resorted to my trusty Taobao and Shein!
Tried 9 gowns from Taobao and Shein and eventually settled on my final 2! (Pic 3+4 and pic 5).
since the gowns were so affordable I decided to add on a casual outfit from Shein too and NO regrets!
Total cost on 3 of my outfits were <$130
Planning a Pre-Wedding Shoot (PWS) can easily become expensive, but with the right approach, it's possible to keep costs manageable without compromising on quality. From my personal experience, being a bride who wanted beautiful memories but also mindful of expenses, I found that shopping for gowns on platforms like Taobao and Shein was a total game-changer. Rental gowns in the market often cost between $700 to $1,000, which felt steep just for a photoshoot. By trying nine different gowns from these online stores and selecting my favorites, I managed to spend less than $130 in total for three outfits. This saved me a lot while still giving great variety in my shoot. When it came to makeup and hairstyling, although follow-through sessions with makeup artists can add up, I opted to skip follow-throughs and stuck to one session to keep costs down. Additionally, booking an indoor studio at approximately $160 provided a controlled environment for photos without the unpredictable weather, helping ensure smooth shoots and fewer retakes. Bouquets and accessories, often overlooked during budget planning, also add to the overall feel. I sourced my bouquet from Taobao for just $30 and even included a playful fake cake prop for $10 to add dimension to my photos. If you’re planning a PWS in Singapore or anywhere with similar market pricing, creating a detailed budget with prioritized spends—such as focusing on photography and key outfit pieces while economizing on accessories—can make a significant difference. Don’t hesitate to explore online shopping platforms for affordable gowns and props, and communicate clearly with your makeup artist about what services are essential. Overall, smart planning and resourcefulness helped me have a memorable photo session well within budget, and I hope this encourages you to craft your own beautiful and budget-friendly PWS!
