A Guide to Planning a Wedding in Singapore
Singapore is one of the most vibrant and multicultural cities in the world, blending traditional Asian customs with modern Western influences. When it comes to planning a wedding, the diverse cultural fabric of the city offers endless possibilities for couples. Whether you are an expat or a local, this guide will help you navigate through the essential steps of planning a wedding in Singapore, ensuring that your big day is unforgettable.
1. Understand Singapore’s Wedding Traditions
Singapore’s wedding scene reflects its rich cultural diversity, with Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Western wedding traditions all playing an important role. As a result, weddings here can be a fusion of different practices, making them unique and memorable.
Traditional Chinese Weddings
Tea Ceremony: One of the most important customs in Chinese weddings is the tea ceremony, where the bride and groom serve tea to their elders as a sign of respect and to receive blessings.
Red Attire: The bride traditionally wears a red gown (qipao or cheongsam) for the tea ceremony, symbolizing prosperity, happiness, and good fortune. The groom might also wear a traditional Chinese outfit.
Lai See (Red Packets): Guests give the couple red packets containing money to wish them well in their marriage and to bring good luck.
Malay Weddings
Bersanding: This is a traditional Malay wedding ceremony where the bride and groom are seated on a dais, and guests come forward to congratulate them.
Pengantin: The bride often wears a beautifully adorned outfit in shades of gold, red, or white.
Songsang or Al-Quran Recital: In many Malay weddings, there will be recitations from the Quran and other spiritual readings.
Indian Weddings
Saptapadi: This is the seven steps ceremony where the bride and groom walk around the sacred fire seven times, each round representing a vow.
Henna Ceremony: Henna designs are often applied to the bride’s hands and feet before the wedding day.
Traditional Attire: The bride wears a vibrant saree or lehenga, while the groom wears a sherwani or kurta.
Western Weddings
Western-style weddings in Singapore typically include exchanging vows, the exchange of wedding rings, and a reception with speeches, music, and dancing. The bride usually wears a white wedding gown, and the groom wears a suit or tuxedo.
2. Set Your Wedding Budget
Singapore can be an expensive place to get married, so it’s crucial to plan your budget early and break down the costs. Your budget should cover:
Venue: Wedding venue prices can vary greatly depending on whether you choose a luxury hotel, a unique location like a garden or museum, or a smaller restaurant.
Food & Drink: A large portion of your budget will go towards food and beverages for your wedding banquet. Singapore offers a range of options, from traditional Chinese wedding banquets to Western-style sit-down dinners.
Attire: Wedding gowns, tuxedos, and traditional attire can be costly, especially if you’re opting for high-end designers.
Photography & Videography: Professional photographers and videographers are essential for capturing your wedding day.
Flowers and Decorations: Floral arrangements and decor can make a big difference in the aesthetic of your wedding, so consider hiring a florist or event planner for this.
Entertainment: Live music, DJs, or traditional performances add a personal touch to your wedding reception.
3. Choose a Wedding Date
The wedding date is very important in Singapore, as many couples want to pick an auspicious date for their big day, particularly in traditional Chinese weddings. Couples may consult a feng shui master or fortune teller to select an ideal date based on their Chinese zodiac signs. If you prefer a non-traditional approach, you may choose a date that works best for your schedule, keeping in mind the following:
Weekdays vs. Weekends: Weekdays might offer more availability and lower prices for venues, while weekends are more popular but may come at a premium.
Avoid Major Public Holidays: Be mindful of public holidays like Chinese New Year, Deepavali, or Hari Raya Puasa, as these times are often very busy for venues, and costs may rise.
4. Find the Perfect Venue
Singapore offers a wide array of wedding venues to suit different tastes and budgets. Whether you're looking for a grand hotel ballroom, an intimate garden, or a picturesque waterfront, you’ll find plenty of choices.
Popular Wedding Venues in Singapore:
Luxury Hotels: Singapore is home to many world-renowned hotels with wedding venues that include ballrooms and private dining rooms. Examples include Raffles Hotel, Marina Bay Sands, and The Fullerton Hotel.
Outdoor Venues: If you’re after an outdoor, scenic setting, consider venues such as Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa Island, or Singapore Botanic Gardens for their lush greenery and beautiful landscapes.
Charming Heritage Venues: Singapore has plenty of historical and cultural venues that blend modern amenities with traditional charm, such as The Arts House and Fort Canning Park.
Restaurants: For more intimate weddings, many restaurants in Singapore offer wedding packages. Popular spots include The White Rabbit, L’Aiglon, and The Clifford Pier.
When choosing a venue, make sure to consider the guest count, food options, accessibility, and the style of wedding you want.
5. Wedding Attire
Bride’s Attire
Bridal gowns in Singapore are available at both local and international boutiques, with options ranging from traditional white gowns to more contemporary styles. Some well-known bridal boutiques include The Wedding Scoop, Love, Yu, and Tracy Bridal.
For traditional Chinese weddings, brides often wear a cheongsam or qipao in red. For Malay weddings, the bride typically wears a traditional baju kurung or kebaya.
Groom’s Attire
Grooms can choose between a formal suit or tuxedo for a Western-style wedding, or traditional Chinese attire such as a Tang suit or Mandarin collar jacket.
For Malay or Indian weddings, grooms typically wear a sherwani, kurta, or other cultural attire.
6. Wedding Vendors and Suppliers
Photography & Videography
High-quality photography and videography are essential for capturing all the important moments of your wedding day. Well-known wedding photographers in Singapore include The Wedding Conteurs, Andy Lee Photography, and The Lime Perspective.
Floral Arrangements
Flowers are an integral part of weddings in Singapore. Florists such as Floral Garage, The Bloom Room, and A Better Florist can help create the perfect floral designs for bouquets, centerpieces, and decorations.
Catering
Catering is key to a successful wedding banquet, especially in Singapore, where food plays a major role. Many venues offer catering packages, but there are also independent caterers such as Orange Clove Catering and Ritz Catering that offer custom menu options.
Wedding Planners
A wedding planner can help ease the stress of planning. Some popular wedding planners in Singapore include The Wedding Entourage, Love, Bonito Weddings, and Bridefully Yours.
7. Invitations and Guest List
The guest list is one of the first things you’ll need to determine. Singapore weddings can be small and intimate or large and extravagant. Be sure to finalize your list early, as this will affect the venue choice and catering.
Invitations
Wedding invitations in Singapore are typically sleek, stylish, and often bilingual (English and Mandarin or Malay). Consider custom designs from companies like The Invitation Shop or Print Nest. You can also go digital with email or wedding websites, which are becoming more popular.
8. The Wedding Day Timeline
A typical wedding day in Singapore usually follows this timeline:
Morning: The groom’s family picks up the bride from her family home for the traditional tea ceremony.
Late Morning: The couple serves tea to their elders (Chinese tea ceremony) or participates in other cultural rituals.
Afternoon/Early Evening: Wedding ceremony followed by the reception banquet.
Evening: Guests enjoy dinner, speeches, and entertainment, followed by dancing or after-party events.
9. Legal Considerations
If you’re an expat, you will need to ensure you have completed the legal requirements for marriage in Singapore:
Notice of Marriage: You must file a Notice of Marriage with the Registry of Marriages at least 21 days before the wedding.
Marriage Certificate: After the ceremony, you will receive an official marriage certificate.
Planning a wedding in Singapore is a wonderful experience filled with options, whether you want a traditional affair or a modern celebration. The key to a successful wedding is careful planning, a good budget, and understanding the traditions and expectations of your cultural background. With the right venues, suppliers, and support, your wedding in Singapore will be a day to remember.
