Wedding Packages vs À La Carte Vendors: Which One Is Right for You?
By Claire, Founder of Kurea Makeup Studio
In Singapore, planning a wedding often starts with a big decision: Should you go for an all-in-one bridal package or assemble your dream team through à la carte vendors?
As someone who works closely with couples through the à la carte route, I often get asked about the difference between the two. So here’s a breakdown to help you decide what fits your style, priorities, and planning journey.
Bridal Packages
Convenient & All-in-One
Bridal packages are bundled deals that often include photography, makeup and hair, gown rental, and even décor. You’ll work with one provider that manages several parts of your wedding, which can really help reduce stress—especially if you don’t have time to coordinate every detail yourself.
Budget-Friendly at First Glance
Packages are often marketed at attractive prices, and can appear more affordable than hiring each vendor individually.
Limited Flexibility
However, these packages are usually fixed in terms of style and structure. You might not have the freedom to select your preferred makeup artist, photographer, or other creatives. Many vendors are assigned rather than chosen, which can impact your overall experience.
Standardized Style
Bridal houses often follow a specific aesthetic, with heavily edited photos and stylized poses. For couples who want a more natural, authentic representation of themselves, this may not align with your vision.
Hidden Costs & Top-Ups
It’s not uncommon for package deals to come with hidden costs or upsells. For example, top-ups for extra looks, experienced artists, or “premium” services that weren’t clearly outlined upfront. In some cases, vendors in packages may not be paid fairly, leading to being paired with less experienced team members.
À La Carte Vendors
Tailored to You
Choosing vendors à la carte means you get to handpick each part of your wedding experience—your photographer, makeup artist, gown designer, and more. Every detail can be tailored to your style, preferences, and schedule.
At Kurea Makeup Studio, for example, I work closely with each bride to understand her vision—whether that’s glowing and minimal or soft and romantic—and create a look that feels truly you.
Quality and Passion
À la carte vendors are usually independent professionals who are deeply passionate about what they do. We’re building our names on the work we create, so we take pride in giving our couples a meaningful, high-quality experience.
More Control, More Coordination
With this flexibility comes responsibility—you’ll need to liaise with several vendors, manage timelines, and ensure everyone’s on the same page. But for many couples, this extra effort is worth it for the result: a wedding that feels one-of-a-kind.
Investing Where It Matters Most
While going à la carte may cost a little more upfront, it also allows you to prioritize what matters most—whether that’s splurging on a top makeup artist or scaling back on areas that aren’t as important to you.
So, What’s Right for You?
If you prefer something convenient and streamlined, and don’t mind a more templated experience, bridal packages might be a great fit.
But if you're dreaming of a day that reflects your unique story—with handpicked vendors who bring your vision to life—then the à la carte route is definitely worth considering.
As a professional makeup artist who works independently with brides, I may be a little biased—but I truly believe that when you’re given the space to choose who you work with, the results feel more personal, more intentional, and more you.
Whatever path you choose, make sure it aligns with your priorities and values. After all, this is your day—and you deserve to feel nothing less than beautiful, confident, and completely yourself.
