Are you finding that when a product has "wedding" or "bridal" as part of the name, it's more expensive?

Question

I was looking for something to liven up my wedding hair a little bit, such as a sparkly comb, barrette or bobby pin. What I'm finding seems to be outrageously expensive: http://www.advantagebridal.com/wedaybrhapi.html I suspect this is across the board and not just for hair items.

Answer 1

yeah, it makes me think I joined the wrong line of business...

Answer 2

I'm sure that is going to be the jist of it. That is why you can be creative and find new ways to get what you want cheaper. For example. My friend got married on the beach and instead of getting expensive baskets for the flower girls, she got a sand pail and decorated it to match the theme. Good luck!

Answer 3

Yea it stinks but it's true.  I've been told they do this because wedding vendors usually don't expect to have repeat customers so people don't normally realize how much their "Wedding" cake or "Bridal" tiara is supposed to run them.

Answer 4

Yes.  One of my bridal bargain books actually reported that a news show did a study on this.  I think it was restaurants that they called.  They would have two different people call- one for a wedding and one for a get-together.  The two people were offered the EXACT same package except it would cost more if it was for a wedding.  They recommend avoiding telling professionals you are dealing with that the services will be for a wedding whenever possible.

Answer 5

Completely. I think a lot of vendors are gits, they take advantage of couples as they know they are probably less likely to compromise on the supposed 'most important day of your life'. It goes for venues (one I was looking at charges £700 room hire for a business event, £1500 for a wedding...there were no extras other than a seating plan, hmmm), bands, cakes, flowers. It leaves quite a bad taste in your mouth!

Try booking things for 'an event' to try and leave out the W word. Or outright lie and say it's for a birthday or something!

As for looking for a hair accessory, don't look in bridal places, just search for eg 'decorative hair comb' or 'sparkly hair comb' etc, leave bridal out of it! I'm sure you'll find something really nice for a fraction of the cost!

Good luck!

Answer 6

Yes-

same thing when you go to book anything for it. Prices go up like 50-75% just because you use the "w" word!

Good Luck & Congrats!

Answer 7

That is a beautiful hair clip but definitely over-priced!  

I have been looking for one as well in local stores and on eBay.  I quit looking in the bridal stores since there is a huge markup on these items!  I found the hair clips with rhinestones to be in the $20-30 range at Claire's and some other stores which sell hair accessories.  (Still seems kinda high to me but I am cheap!)  I have also been looking for a bridal purse and came across an absolutely beautiful one today at Macy's for $20!  (That was full price too!)  Totally reasonable!

The wedding items are definitely overpriced in the bridal shops with most of the tiaras in the $40 and up range (at Alfred Angelo).

Just keep looking and you will find what you need!  Congrats!

  

Answer 8

i noticed the same thing a ostrich feather fascinator is $25 a bridal weather hair clip is over $100. A hall i looked at quoted me two different prices when i called  one fore wedding one for a 5 hour dinner. When they follow up with me i told them my problem they told me why their was a difference all silly stuff  the use of crystal glasses etc..). I agree with you totally. When researching i look with the term  wedding or bridal and without wedding or bridal attached

Answer 9

Oh yeah - in my opinion people get taken advantage of all the time simply because it has wedding or bridal on it.

For hair pieces you should try searching for "prom" or "homecoming" hair accessories. You might have better luck finding something nice, simple - but not overpriced because it is a "bridal" item.

It's unfortunate, but I guess people have to make money...

Answer 10

Absolutely! The same goes for your actual hairstyling on the day of...the same updo (or whatever you're having done to your hair) costs so much more if it's billed as a "bridal updo."  

Answer 11

That's why they add the word "bridal" or "wedding" is because they know that people will pay more and not question it. It doesn't matter what it is.

You can find inexpensive sparkly hair accessories for a fraction of that price at Claire's or a similar store.  

Answer 12

You are a smart cookie :)

Sadly, The Wedding Industry has brainwashed some people into believing that thrift (not to mention brains) somehow makes a wedding less special, that half the fun is spending $50 for a pair of $15 shoes as if to prove that one is so much in love that money has lost all meaning. Silly, isn't it?

Answer 13

Dont use the W word when looking for stuff cause they will try to get every penny out of you.