Click for Part 2
After what felt like forever... It finally came!
For some reason, I expected the package to be a small parcel, but it ended up being about 3 ft x 2 ft! The "photo frame," which I thought would just be an A4 paper-sized frame, was actually a super large and lovely piece of wall art, in the most perfect style fitting of our photo aesthetic!
 |
| Just a corner! |
Inside were a photo album with our pictures in a pleasing order, and a CD in a nice case with all of the retouched pictures!
I'm sure the experience differs depending on the studio and the dress/tux rental places, but Hello Muse was perfect each step of the way. I'd give them 5/5 stars for sure.
Sposa Monique (the bridal dress shop)
Several dresses from the online sampling were gorgeous, but maybe because I was a size 4 instead of a 0 or 2, they wouldn't have fit me? I wasn't blown away by the selection, but there were a couple of dresses I thought were very pretty. Out of the 5 I tried out, I really liked 2, and didn't like 3 at all.
I was asked about the general aesthetic I was looking for, and they picked dresses that were suitable, but I didn't see the ones from the online sampling for some reason. And I guess I would rate them 3.5/5 overall.
Arco Baleno (the tux shop)
Supposedly this is where some celebrities go to rent tuxes, and even though the interior isn't the most posh, they do have a crazy selection of blazers/jackets, some plaid, some checkered, and in tons of colors. They also include several bowties, but the selection was supplemented by Sposa Monique's bowties (we rented a tux from each shop), and for that I tip my hat to Sposa Monique as well. My husband isn't a super picky guy, so we'd probably rate it a 3.5/5.
Soon Soo (hair/makeup salon)
It was very, very crowded, and they shuffled us around quite a bit. I don't get bored easily, so I was fine just sitting and waiting and looking around at the other people getting ready for their own weddings. They didn't do what I would have liked for my hair, but I blame myself partially for not being a more bossy person, and I sort of just trusted them instead.
 |
| Just like I do at most hair salons. |
The makeup was pretty heavy, but in the photographs, it turned out well :) 3/5!
White Africa (photography studio)
They were definitely patient with us. They made us feel at home and we enjoyed the experience overall. I can never be as glamorous and as gracefully dignified as most of the people they photograph, but I am as God made me.
I'd rate the photographer at about 4/5! or 4.5/5!
Hello Muse made it all happen! They get a solid 5/5, of course. I would love to go back and get more pictures taken someday, maybe for an anniversary years from now. I would go with a different studio and different wardrobe rental boutiques, just to see what else is out there, but I would def book with Hello Muse again!
Thanks for your review. After reading this, I actually feel more at ease on paying the deposit with them. I'm looking to book with hello muse but have a few questions to ask you. They quoted me a few category in price range. Im looking at the lowest ones, are there any other extra hidden fees excluded in urs? Also, did you pay anything else such as tipping the translator etc? Thanks alot!
ReplyDeleteThere weren't any hidden fees for us! We were all very clear of the amount we needed to bring us to balance, and Hello Muse didn't pull any "fast ones" on us :)
DeleteRegarding tipping, it's up to you! Maybe it was my and the Mr.'s faux pas, but we didn't tip the translators (we rounded up a bit for the final payment, but that wasn't much extra). When I lived in Korea, it was hard for me to break the tipping habit, but I actually got followed by restaurant/cafe owners who would insist on giving me back my tip. And once, this 갈비 place owner found me at the convenience store a few days later to give me back my tip! (He saw me walking back home and passing in front of his restaurant!) I was always told to come back again rather than tip, so I guess writing these posts and sharing my positive experience is my way of tipping them! I'm sure if you tipped them, they would appreciate it, so whatever makes you feel best!
Hello! I am really happy to stumble upon your reviews on your pre-wedding shoot experience with Hello Muse! I have been doing some research for my pre-wedding shoot next June and I am still not sure if I should commit to Hello Muse (as compared to other coordinators e.g. Weddingritz, Ido etc)... I agree that Hello Muse has been great in their service so far as they are really prompt and friendly in their responses. I guess for now, I need to check with them for more details on the package price for the different studios? And I am also wondering if I should take the Basic or Standard package? The difference is only in the no. of days I suppose? ... Anyway thank you again for your posts! It helps a lot! ^^
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! I think whichever company and package makes you feel the most excited about the pre-wedding shoot will be the best choice. I actually had a hard time choosing between Weddingritz and Hello Muse, and to be honest, the person I spoke on the phone with at Weddingritz was so funny and personable, but I believe what clinched it for me was a special promotion that Hello Muse was having at the time, and I couldn't pass it up.
DeleteI think in the future (anniversaries, special occasions, etc.) I would go with Weddingritz AND Hello Muse. If you love the experience, you can always do another one a few years from now! Ido was great with sending me information and responding to my e-mails, but I was hoping to have a sample itinerary before signing the contract so I could know what to expect. But they're not totally out of the running.
Anyways, I'm glad the posts were of some help! I hope you and your SO have a great time, whichever one you go with! :)
Hi it's me again! We have finally picked a studio from Hellomuse! Everything has been smooth so far and we are at the stage of deposit payment. I have a few questions and hope you can give me some advice ^^
ReplyDelete1. Deposit payment is either by Bank transfer or Paypal. Seems that both need to pay for transaction fee. Which would be a better option?
2. My friend reminded me to bring my own ampule when going for the makeup (so they won't charge you extra on the spot)... is it true/necessary?
3. You mentioned online sampling for the wedding gowns. Did they send it to you before the photoshoot?
Thank you for reading my comment again and hope to hear from u soon :)
I'm so excited for you!! I'm sure the pictures will be stunning and I really do hope you have a great experience with them!
DeleteTo answer your questions...
1) I'm very wary of bank transfers and never do them, so my answer would have to be PayPal, hands down! Since I know Hello Muse now, it's different, but back then I was so close to certain that I would be scammed, and I needed to know I could file a dispute claim if I needed to... Fortunately, everything worked out perfectly!
2) I'm not sure if your friend went more recently than I did, but back in the summer of 2015, we weren't charged any extras for full-on makeup, which I believe included a light ampoule layer as well. My husband had a good base layer of foundation on and a light dusting of powder as well :)
3) The online photos of the gowns came during the studio, wardrobe, and makeup selection portion of the booking process! For my price range, they gave me several options of dress studios and hair/makeup studios, and each of them had their own little section of the website that had a small sampling of the gowns and whatnot. Although, I do have to say that I didn't see those gowns in person once I was over there. The dresses they did have were still quite beautiful! But it's kind of a let-down when you don't get to really pick the "dream" dress!
Oh, they did have that blue polka-dot dress at the actual photo studio we went to, the one from the picture in my Part 1! That was a pleasant surprise, and I took some pictures wearing that dress as well :)
I'm super stoked about your pics, whether it's with Hello Muse or another company! I think back on my own trip there and the whole photo shoot, and I honestly would do it all over again if I could :) Ahhh! Let us know how it goes if you have a chance to in the future!!
Thanks for answering all my queries! Appreciate it! :)
ReplyDeleteOk, I think I will pay via PayPal. However, do you recall having to pay an additional 3.9%+0.3Usd for the transaction fee? We are told that this will be charged if we use PayPal.
After hearing your experience, I am so looking forward to my photoshoot. And yes, will def share with you again!
Actually, if I'm remembering it all correctly, I wasn't charged the PayPal fee at the time of the PayPal transaction, since it may have been a new process for them, but we did include the fee in our final cash payment once we got to the studio! They must have added the fee to make things a little simpler. How exciting, though! Can't wait!! :D
ReplyDelete