Dear Readers:
The following real time experience will help our prospective Asian clients understand the booking process and the various phases involved in the process. We are using our lovely clients Dr. Asim and Dr. Nazia as an example as they had booked us for all the services we provide – Makeup, Photography and Videography:
Initial Contact
Dr. Nazia had found us over the internet and made the first contact. She had visited our website as well as our facebook page at www.facebook.com/uzmasbridal to see examples of our work and likes and comments received from other people. She had initially contacted me for her “Asian Engagement Makeup”. The initial consultation was held over the phone and arrangements were made to meet in-person so that I would show her and her fiancée examples of our work. Since for her engagement makeup she did not need a trial – Dr. Nazia came to our office to see pictures of some real to-be-brides as well as to see examples of our Asian Wedding Photography and Asian Wedding Videography. Since our Asian Bridal Makeup, Asian couple Photoshoots, Asian Wedding photography and Asian Wedding videography package prices are listed on the website it was very easy for them to determine the sort of services they would like to book us for.
First Meeting
During our meeting I showed both Dr. Asim and Dr. Nazia examples of our work including photo albums and DVD’s of some real Asian Wedding Photography and Asian Wedding Videography coverage’s we had done. They also saw some albums of Asian Couple Photoshoots we had done in our studio and they were very impressed. Since the engagement function was going to be a very small and private affair at home no event photography and videography was needed for the engagement. However, in order to have great memories of their engagement day, they chose to get a photo shoot done at our studio. The prices were finalized and a provisional booking was made for Asian Engagement Makeup and Asian Couple Photoshoot.
Securing the booking
In order to secure the booking Dr. Asim and Dr. Nazia made a direct payment of 50% of the total amount into our bank account (as we do not accept cash-in-hand). Once we had confirmation that the payment was made an invoice (and a copy for the couple) was generated. This invoice (and the duplicate) was on our company letterhead and detailed all the services that were going to be provided and on the day these services were to be provided. The clients signed both the invoices and returned a signed copy back to us. By signing the invoice they had also confirmed that they had read our terms and conditions that are listed on our website and were in agreement with those terms and conditions.
Before the Engagement Day
Before the day of the function, Dr. Nazia made the payment of the balance of the 50% of the invoice and I sent her a text confirmation that the full payment had now been received.
Engagement Day
On the day of the engagement since we were doing Dr. Nazia’s Engagement Makeup and hair styling, she came to my studio. We also provide mobile makeup services but since a couple photo shoot (only available in Manchester for the time being) was also booked it was perfect to do everything at our studio. A day before the function I had given Dr. Nazia some tips on what to do so that the makeup and hair styling would look great on the day. The most important tip was to make sure that she got good sleep and to make sure to drink plenty of water!!!
The intense and very detailed makeup and the intricate hair styling took about 2 hours and that still left us with a lot of time to do the Couple / Bridal Photo Shoot. At the pre-determined time Dr. Asim came to the studio as well and we started to do the photo shoot. Knowing that sometimes it takes a little while for the clients to get comfortable in front of the camera, we did test shots and made sure to give some direction to the clients to make them feel comfortable and yet capture great shots. This Asian Couple Photo shoot took about 1 ½ hours. After the photo shoot was done Dr. Asim and Dr. Nazia went to the venue where the engagement party was arranged. After the function was over, Dr. Nazia sent me a text telling me how happy she was to receive great comments from the guests about her makeup and hairstyling this feedback from her made me feel very satisfied and happy.
1 week after the Photoshoot
Within a week after the photo shoot all the “Raw Images” from the photo shoot were sent to the client on a DVD via first class mail. All the images had unique numbers and a copy of the same images was kept by us as well.
Photo editing and Album Preparation
The clients chose their favourite pictures that they wanted in the album they had chosen. These images were airbrushed and a layout was emailed for the client’s approval. After the client was happy with the layout the album was given the okay to be printed and after about 4 weeks the album was delivered to the client on the day of the 2nd appointment.
2nd In-Person Meeting and Trial Booking
Dr. Nazia and Dr. Asim made arrangements to come and collect their engagement photo shoot album and also discuss about the trial for the Asian Bridal Makeup they wanted and the date of that trial. Since they were really happy with the results of the photo shoot and the Asian Couple Photo shoot album and the Asian Engagement Makeup and the level of service and professionalism, they wanted to book us for Asian Bridal Makeup, Asian Wedding Photography and Asian Wedding Videography as well as a studio Asian Couple Photo shoot for their wedding as well as for their Walima. During this time they also gave us the name and contact number of the person who would be coordinating with us and would keep us informed of the important “rasams” and “sub-rasams” as well as the important people who need to be covered during the wedding and the walima.
Initial Deposit to Secure the Booking
A 50% deposit was paid for the makeup trial as well as the photography, photo shoot and the wedding videography package that was chosen by the clients. Once the payment was made directly into the account and confirmation was received, we generated an invoice and a duplicate that was signed and sent back to us. The invoice again listed all the services that were to be provided as well as the day it would be provided on and also confirmed that the client’s were in agreement with our Terms and Conditions listed on our website.
Asian Bridal Makeup Trial
Before the makeup trial Dr. Nazia had told me of the colours of her Barat / Wedding and Walima Dress – for clients who already have their wedding dress we prefer that they bring the actual dress with them or a picture of the same. On the day of the trial for the Asian Wedding Makeup package that was chosen we did 2 styles of eye makeup (a different style on each eye) as well as 2 different shades of lipsticks and styles of blushers and contouring. Notes were made of the styles chosen and pictures were taken to keep a record. Since we hold Mac Pro Membership and use only the best Makeup Brands to include MAC, Bobby Brown. Illamasqua, CD, Chanel, YSL, Givenchy, Urban Decay and others it becomes very easy for us to note the style numbers and names of styles used during the Asian Bridal Makeup Trial.
Outstanding Balance
Just like for their engagement, before the actual wedding day Dr. Asim and Dr. Nazia made the payment for the balance of 50%. We sent a text back to them to confirm that the payment was received direct into our account and that all the dues had been paid.
Day of the wedding
On the day of the wedding again since the couple also had chosen the Asian Bridal and Couple Photo Shoot package – Dr. Nazia came to our studio in Manchester (studio shoots only available through our Manchester regional office only for the time being). It took us about 3 hours to do Dr. Nazia’s very detailed Asian Bridal Makeup as well as the very intricate Asian Bridal Hair Style of her choice. Once the client and we were happy we called Dr. Asim to join us at the studio for the Asian Bridal / Asian Couple Photo Shoot. At the photoshoot we again made sure that the clients were relaxed – we did this by taking test shots. For this shoot we used a lot of various backgrounds and props. The photoshoot session took us about 1 ½ hours. After the photoshoot the couple went directly to the venue. Since the photo shoot was done before the actual reception, the groom and the bride were very fresh and hence we captured some great casual and choreographed shots.
While we were doing the photo shoot at our studio our Wedding Photographer and Wedding Videographer went directly to the Wedding Venue (before the guests arrived) – Dr. Asim and Dr. Nazia had chosen our basic 1 camera Asian Wedding Photography and 1 camera Asian Wedding Videography package. We only use high end camera and lens and hence the results of our Wedding Photography and Wedding Videography are exceptional – our videos are HD quality and our photographs are Hi-Resolution. During the reception and as directed by the coordinator, that was nominated beforehand by the bride and groom, our photographer and videographer were able to capture all the important moments and the essence of the wedding.
After the wedding
Right after the wedding reception we received a text again from the clients and they commended us and our team for a job very well done! Such feedback always gives us encouragement and gives us added motivation to make our client’s wedding day special.
1 week after the wedding
Within 1 week of the wedding the clients were given all the raw images on a DVD which was sent to them via first class Royal Mail. A copy of the same images was kept by us. The clients then made their selection of the 100 pictures they wanted in their wedding album.
Video 1st edit and photo album layout
Within the time specified in the terms and conditions, the clients were given the 1st edit of the wedding video as well as the layout of the photo album. On getting the okay from the client for the photo album – it was sent off for printing. For the video the clients made some changes which were made and the final copies of the Wedding Video were given to the client. Yet again we received great feedback from the clients which gives us all encouragement to make YOUR wedding day very special.