Let’s be real: seeing the average cost of a wedding in Singapore might make you want to elope to Batam. With hotel banquet tables hitting $2,000+ and photography packages costing as much as a down payment on a renovation, the "sticker shock" is real.
But here is the good news: You don’t need a six-figure budget to have a wedding that looks and feels like a million bucks. It’s not about being "cheap"—it’s about being smart.
Here is how to plan an elegant Singapore wedding that keeps your bank account happy.
1. The "Lunch vs. Dinner" Hack
This is the oldest trick in the Singapore wedding handbook, and it still works. Saturday night dinners are the most expensive time slot in the entire country.
The Smart Move: Switch to a Saturday or Sunday Lunch banquet. The menu is often similar (sometimes exactly the same!), but the price per table can drop by 15-20%. Plus, lunch weddings end by 4 PM, giving you plenty of time to rest and actually enjoy your wedding night, rather than collapsing from exhaustion at 11 PM.
2. Be "Taobao" Savvy
Why rent a generic arch for $500 when you can buy customised decor for $50?
The Smart Move: For non-perishable items like guest book pens, fairy lights, "Double Happiness" stickers, and faux flowers for the reception table, Taobao (or Shopee/Carousell) is your best friend. You can get incredible, stylish decor for a fraction of the local rental price. Just remember to order 2 months early to account for shipping!
3. Spend on "The Big 3," Save on the Rest
Guests usually remember three things: The food, the vibe, and how the couple looked. They won't remember if your invitation card was embossed with gold leaf or if the napkins were linen.
The Smart Move: Pick your top 3 priorities and spend there. Cut the rest ruthlessly.
- Prioritise: A good photographer, decent food, and...
- The Smart Splurge: Your Wedding Car.
Look Expensive for Less
You don't need a fleet of Ferraris to turn heads. A single, pristine Mercedes-Benz C200 gives you that luxury "boss" arrival without the supercar price tag. It’s the perfect "smart luxury" choice.
Get a Quote for Your Smart Ride4. Rethink the "Gate Crash"
Traditionally, the groom needs a fleet of cars to ferry the brothers and bridesmaids. But renting 4-5 cars adds up fast.
The Smart Move: Keep the luxury car for the Bride and Groom (that’s you!). For the "brothers" and "sisters," book a premium 13-seater van or just use Grab Premium. It’s often cheaper, more fun (everyone travels together!), and easier to coordinate parking at the hotel.
5. Go "Pre-Loved" or Rental for Gowns
Buying a designer gown you will wear for 4 hours is a tough pill to swallow.
The Smart Move: Singapore has an amazing market for pre-loved gowns (check out dedicated Telegram groups or Facebook marketplaces). Alternatively, rental studios often have "off-the-rack" packages that are significantly cheaper than "made-to-measure." No one will know the difference once you are walking down the aisle!
Final Thoughts
A budget wedding doesn't mean cutting corners on happiness. It means cutting out the fluff so you can spend on what matters: celebrating with the people you love (and having enough leftover for a great honeymoon).
Plan smart, spend wisely, and remember: the marriage is infinitely more important than the wedding!
