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Glamorous bridal attire. |
Visitors to the Asia-Pacific Wedding Photography and Wedding Supplies Expo (WPWS) were treated to sumptuous displays comprising floating, white-laced bridal gowns, glamorous Chinese cheongsams, glittering wedding rings, rich wedding photography and comprehensively-packaged banquet supplies.
Young couples visited the wedding photography section in the hope of revealing the style that suited their ideas for a dream wedding.
In the jewellery section, many tried out the glittering array of rings and other pieces, while WPWS brought bridal gown and wedding service companies, travel agencies, image consultancies, beauty salons and bridal salons under one roof.
Industry players said the financial crisis may impact the wedding budgets of many intending couples, but it can't hold back the 2009-2010 wedding market explosion.
About 10 million couples tie the knot in China each year. Total spending power on wedding services is expected to reach hundreds of billions of Rmb by 2010. Market prospects are undimmed.
Popularity of photo studios
Photographic studios that emphasise independent style provide an emerging form of the photography on the Mainland. "Photo studios are more economical and have a more relaxed environment than bridal salons," said Zhao, one of the exhibitors and owner of a studio specialising in outdoor photography.
According to Zhao, the way customers end up having to pay 150% or double the quoted price is a common practice in bridal salons.
Customers are charged more for compulsory purchases of cosmetics, use of hair pieces or expensive gowns and tuxedos, as well as purchases of photographic negatives and extra prints. These all mount up to inflate the final bill.
In order to compete with bridal salons, photo studios usually offer "free negatives" and promise not to impose additional charges to worry their customers.
