Couples prefer to go abroad for pre-wedding pictures

The Brunei Times Oct 3rd, 2009 .

Rachel Thien
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

YOUNG couples in Brunei nowadays are opting for a different approach in taking their pre-wedding pictures compared to the olden days — they go abroad..

Speaking to The Brunei Times at the Asia Pacific Wedding and Lifestyle Expo 2009 yesterday, Datin Hjh Rossnah Pehin Datu Indera Sugara Dato Seri Laila Jasa Hj Johari, wife of deputy minister of health, as the guest of honour, said that the younger generation are more “exposed” to this kind of lifestyle.

“This exhibition is great because it gives Bruneians more options and exposure to undertake their wedding photo shoots overseas,” she said.

The four-day event is co-organised with the Prime Media Event Management and Advertising and Singapore’s Full House Communications Wedding and Travel Magazine.

Spokesperson Alghani Soepono from Full House Communications Wedding and Travel Magazine said that this was the second time they have co-organised the wedding and lifestyle exhibition in Brunei. “There is a market demand in Brunei for wedding photo shoot packages, that is why we have returned. Bruneians responded positively the previous time we were here in March and I feel it is becoming a trend,” he said.

He said that their customers were made up of all races, not only Chinese, but also local Malays.

“We are very confident coming to Brunei because we have positioned ourselves as a trend setter for weddings in the Asia Pacific region. I believe that weddings are not about being western, but about love which speaks in a universal language,” he said, adding that it is all about the concept.

Marketing Manager Katherine Tan at Prime Media Event Management and Advertising said they arranged this event for the second time for Bruneian couples who want to make their weddings the “most memorable event in their lives.”

“We bring in the top prestigious wedding companies together under one roof with the very latest wedding and lifestyle goods and accessories in a multitude of areas of our people. Our selected venue, The Mall Gadong, is also a perfect place for both exhibitors and customers alike, to exchange the latest market intelligence and establish business contacts,” she said.

Max Khoo, a sales consultant from exhibitor “My Dream Wedding” said that this was their third timethey took part in the exhibition. “We came here again because many Bruneians told to us that there was not much of a choice when it comes to choosing local photo shoot packages. Even if local studios provided the photo shoots, it did not come with components such as renting the bridal outfits and providing a make up-artist,” he said.

Khoo relayed that during their last exhibition in Brunei, he was “surprised” to have many Malay customers opting for their packages.

“We are now catering to their wants and needs as we understand that Malay brides do not want to show a lot of skin with their gowns. So, we offer many dresses that are appropriate, but yet beautiful,” he said, adding that many Bruneians choose to go to their Singapore branch for their photo shoots.

He said that their promotion package is currently going at $2,888 which includes a make-up artist, a photographer, a photo album and transportation to and from the photo shoot destinations.

“We had around 20 couples who bought this package the last time we came. There is definitely a market for this trend in Brunei now,” he said.

The sales consultant said that the trend was due to the fact that people’s wants are starting to change from the influence of their friends.

First time exhibitor Michelle Wong, manager of “Julia Wedding News” from Hong Kong said that they decided to participate in this exhibition because they heard of the “good results” of Bruneians opting for these packages from previous exhibitors. However, she said that it was going “a bit slow” yesterday, as not many customers visited their booth.

“We are not sure what the culture is in Brunei now as people are not really coming to see what we offer, but we hope it will get better within the next few days,” she said.

Wong said that they intend to encourage Bruneians to have a “different pre-wedding experience” during their photo shoots, where they offer to take them to popular destinations like Greece and Australia.

“These two countries are our most current popular destinations and it will be great for couples because they can also get a chance to have a pre-honeymoon and travel before or after their photo shoots. The exhibition is on at The Mall, Gadong, until October 5.

The Brunei Times

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