In the gleaming metropolis of Singapore, getting married can often feel synonymous with high costs and exorbitant expenses. But with the proper knowledge and thorough planning, this doesn’t have to be the case!
If you’re a couple who’s planning to say ‘I do’ in 2024, you’re in the right place! We’re here to guide you through your wedding planning while making sure that your wallet doesn’t feel the heat. So read on as we present our top 5 tips on organising the wedding of your dreams without going bankrupt.
Let’s explore how you can create your dream wedding in Singapore while sticking to your budget. Think of it as a way to add an extra sprinkle of joy on top of your journey toward marital bliss!
According to Kevin O’Leary, an investor on the US television program “Shark Tank” – “When you’re starting out, the worst thing you can do is put yourself in debt for your wedding. That’s why, before you start planning your upcoming nuptials, you must take one crucial step – setting your budget.
This figure is the North Star that will help you navigate the confusing options, vendors, and platforms that comprise the Singapore wedding industry. It is the gold standard against which you must measure every purchase or savings.
Establishing a budget might seem like a daunting task, especially when dreams of lavish banquets and grand venues dance in your head. But, take heart! With a clear-eyed assessment of your finances, a bit of strategic planning, and a dash of flexibility, you can create a wedding budget that allows for a memorable day without draining your savings. As you delve into the world of vendors, venues, and veils, keep your budget spreadsheet close – it’s about to become your best wedding planning companion.
When figuring out your wedding budget, first sit down with your partner and any other stakeholders to figure out how much you’re comfortable spending on your wedding celebration. Next, try to estimate the costs of your desired wedding elements, such as the venue, food, vendors, decor, wedding attire, etc. This will help you to allocate your budget to different aspects of the wedding based on the amount you’d like to spend.
Next step on your wedding planning journey is learning the art of prioritisation.
Think of your dream celebration – what are the elements that you truly can’t do without? Is it a dreamy location overlooking Marina Bay? Perhaps it’s a mouth-watering spread of Peranakan cuisine that you’ve always wanted. Or maybe it’s that talented photographer whose work you’ve been admiring on Instagram for years.
It’s time to engage in some self-reflection. So sift through your wedding desires, separating the ‘must-haves’ from the ‘nice-to-haves’. This process is uniquely personal and requires thoughtful conversations between you and your partner. While it might seem tough to make these decisions, remember, prioritising does not mean compromising. It means investing in areas that will add significant value and meaning to your day while finding smart, cost-effective alternatives for aspects that are not a priority.
If you haven’t decided on your wedding date, then why not consider booking your wedding during a season that is not popular for weddings? In Singapore’s vibrant wedding scene, being mindful of the time of year you choose to say your vows in can play a surprisingly significant role in reducing your wedding costs.
Sure, there are popular times of the year, but saying ‘I do’ in an off-peak season can be an enchanting and budget-friendly option.
Not only do many venues and vendors offer attractive off-season rates, but the competition for prime dates and times is also considerably lower. Imagine a romantic monsoon wedding, the rhythm of raindrops creating a unique ambiance, or how about an intimate ceremony during the soft afterglow of a post-holiday weekday? Remember, it’s not just about cost-saving; an off-season wedding could offer more availability and flexibility, a calmer atmosphere, and even unique thematic possibilities!
Among all the hustle and bustle of planning your grand affair, one factor that significantly impacts your budget is the size of your wedding guest list. Each invitation you send adds to the headcount for food, seating, and favours.
However, drawing up your guest list doesn’t have to be overly complicated! Think about those who matter most to you – these are the ones you envision being by your side as you take this significant step in your life.
Your wedding is an intimate celebration of your love, and inviting those who genuinely share in your joy can make the day even more memorable. So trimming the guest list not only brings significant savings but also opens up a world of exciting venue options that cater to smaller and more personal gatherings!
Now that you have your budget outlined, your priorities identified, and a curated guest list, the quest for the perfect wedding venue begins. This choice will set the stage for your entire celebration. It should reflect your style and provide the perfect backdrop to celebrate your love story, all while fitting comfortably within your budget.
Singapore, with its diverse landscape, offers so many venue options. From elegant restaurants and vibrant bars to contemporary art galleries, lush green gardens and breezy seafront resorts, the choice is as vast as it is exciting!
However, although the venue’s aesthetics matter, don’t forget to also consider practical aspects like accessibility, capacity, available amenities, and of course, cost.
The perfect venue doesn’t need to be the most expensive one – it simply needs to be the place where your wedding dreams align seamlessly with your budget and where you can envision yourselves saying ‘I do’ with joy in your heart.
Are you intrigued about how to make this important choice? We invite you to delve into our advice about choosing the perfect wedding venue and the top questions to ask a potential wedding venue. They are designed to arm you with the right knowledge and questions, making your venue-hunting journey both enjoyable and fruitful.
And, of course, don’t forget to check out our platform, where you can browse an array of fabulous wedding venues that are waiting for you!
In the captivating saga of your love, your wedding marks a pivotal chapter, and planning it shouldn’t rob you of the sheer joy and anticipation this journey holds. Remember that reducing costs doesn’t mean reducing the splendour or meaning of your day. Instead, it allows you to focus on what truly matters – celebrating your love and starting a new chapter in your life without the burden of financial strain.
As you step into this enchanting realm of wedding planning in Singapore, bear in mind these insights and, above all, remember to enjoy the journey. After all, your wedding is juat the beautiful beginning of a lifetime of shared joy, adventure, and love!
It’s generally recommended to start planning your wedding at least 12-18 months in advance. This gives you ample time to book your preferred venue and vendors, who often get booked up early, especially during peak wedding season. It also gives you enough time to sort out all the details of your event, from attire and decor to invitations and logistics.
The cost of a wedding in Singapore varies greatly depending on several factors, such as the venue, number of guests, type of cuisine, and decor. Generally, a typical wedding can cost anywhere from S$30,000 to S$100,000. To stay on the low end of this scale, it is essential to create a detailed budget that takes into account all potential costs to get a more accurate estimate. Remember, your wedding should be a reflection of your personal style and priorities, so spend on what matters most to you.
Traditionally, the bride’s parents will pay for the wedding expenses. But today, this is no longer a hard and fast rule – it’s not uncommon for both the bride’s and groom’s families to share the cost.
Many modern couples choose to fund their own weddings, either partially or entirely. Of course, it will ultimately depend on the family’s cultural background, traditions, and personal preferences. That’s why you should have open and respectful discussions about this topic early on in the wedding planning process to make sure you are able to organise your wedding with a minimum of fuss.