Top Wedding Planners in Singapore

Looks like someone’s ready to tie the knot! My heartiest congratulations to you! I’m sure you’re very excited about what’s going to happen! Your wedding happens only once in your life. There’s lots of work cut out for you and your partner to make this day unforgettable! Don’t fret, there are several talented and creative wedding planners available to make your once-in-a-lifetime moment unique and memorable!

We’re also going to go through a step-by-step process of what you need to do from now till hiring a wedding planner!

What to Do When You Decide to Get Married in Singapore?

• Make Sure You Meet the Legal Requirements

If you’re a Singaporean or Permanent Resident of more than 21 years of age and has never been married, you can skip this section entirely.

You must meet all the legal requirements before you invest in your wedding!

If you’re not a Singaporean or PR, you’ll have to produce proof of continuous residence for 15 days in Singapore.

For couples between the ages of 18-21, you’ll need to obtain the consent of either a parent or guardian to get a Special Marriage License. They must be present to approve the marriage.

If you were married, you need documents to prove that you’re divorced or your spouse has passed on.

With that in mind, all marriage approvals are still subjected to a case-to-case basis.

• Mental Preparation 

Before I share with you the rest of the article, I need to remind you that throwing a wedding is no 2-weeks Europe trip. It’s costlier than you think!

According to this article from Seedly, you need to save $2,300 per month for an entire year for a “typical” wedding. That consists of buying an engagement ring, hiring a wedding planner, organising a banquet at a decent hotel, ordering wedding dresses and tuxedos, hiring photographers and videographers etc.

On the other hand, a recent Channel New Asia documentary also discovered that weddings, as of 2019, fetches up to over $60,000! The interviewee, Financial Services Manager, Joseph Tan, mentioned that the inflation for a wedding is much higher than the national average! 

Of course, you can just simply register at the Registry of Marriage (ROM), which only sets you back by about $42, and you’ll be married in the eyes of the law. Some couples also prefer the unconventional, yet economical way of holding a wedding cum HDB housewarming, which includes a buffet lunch. There’s no right or wrong way to throw a wedding. Both of you just need to be comfortable with your decisions.

As much as I don’t wish to be a wet blanket, marriage isn’t what romantic movies make out to be. It isn’t a bed of roses, filled with tongue-in-cheek and flirtatious banter. There’re lots of responsibilities that come with settling down.

You’ve got to make sure you’ve worked out your shared values, planned out all your finances, as well as your decisions for starting a family. Don’t rush into marriage, especially if you’re not ready. Don’t give into pop-culture portrayals or pressure from any family member.

However, if you’re very sure, and both of you have already discussed everything thoroughly, well done! Read on! 

• Proposal 

You’re in luck as we have an article on how to choose an engagement ring, as well a list of places to get them!

Remember, an engagement ring is an important representation of your marriage. It’s going to last longer than you’ll probably live so pick something symbolic!

Make sure both of you are dressed well on the day of the proposal. Discuss with your videographer how you would like the entire proposal process to be shot, edited and viewed on the wedding night itself! 

• Picking an Auspicious Date 

Depending on your beliefs, you may or may not place this as an essential factor. Yet, sometimes it’s good to adhere for peace of mind. Maybe not your mind, but your parents’ and relatives’!  

According to Feng Shui philosophy, an auspicious date sets harmonious precedence for the wedding and the rest of your marriage. 

For more information about choosing an auspicious date, check out this article from SingaporeBrides.com!

• Solemnisation 

File your notice of marriage on Registry of Marriage’s (ROM’s) official site. You should do it anytime from 21 days up to 3 months before your solemnisation. Do take note of the necessary forms and documents you need to produce.

If you choose to have your solemnisation at ROM itself, a solemniser will be assigned to you. Besides you and your fiancé, you need to have 2 other witnesses. All of you have to bring along your NRIC or passport for the ceremony.

It’s also not uncommon for wedding solemnisation to happen outside of the ROM compounds, especially if you have the budget. Singaporebrides.com has done the honours of curating a list of gorgeous wedding solemnisation locations. You’ll also have to find a licensed solemniser for this ceremony. Here’s a list of licensed solemnisers you can check out.

Sounds like a lot of work, huh? It’s only the beginning!

Pardon me, I don’t mean to tease you! My purpose is to let you know that a wedding planner can take a massive load off your preparation woes. While you can do all the above yourself, the tasks following your solemnisation may require a lot of astute organisation. Your wedding is supposed to be a joyous moment. You need to focus on enjoying this magical moment instead of worrying about the nooks and crannies of everything! Thankfully, a wedding planner understands your preparation anxieties and will gladly take them away from you.

What Exactly Does a Wedding Planner do?

A wedding planner is in charge of the overall execution of your big day. They’re what producers are to a movie. Their work is multi-disciplinary, involving a mixture of accounting, design, fashion, public relations, logistics management and psychology.

During the planning stages, they are usually in charge of sourcing out the venues, coordinating and negotiating with various vendors, as well as the overall conceptualisation of the banquet’s décor. Some of those tiresome tasks also include going through the checklist for anyone who has special dietary restrictions. They’ll also create a timeline and list for everyone to ensure all of you know what you’re in for.

All the above are done with your needs and budget in mind. Most importantly, they’ll make sure that all contracts and documents are correctly handled, so you don’t get ripped off by any 3rd party vendors!

A few days leading up to the big day, they’ll communicate with all the vendors and banquet hall representatives to ensure that everything’s on schedule. On the wedding rehearsal, they’ll troubleshoot any potential Murphy’s Law situation occurring on the big night.

During your wedding night, they’re the silent heroes you’ll eventually thank. They’ll ensure that every single logistics and every key player of the big day adheres strictly to plan. They’re the single-point-of-contact from the audiovisual department to the vendors giving out ice cream and waffles.

Different wedding planning companies may offer different ranges of services. Some of their packages may extend to include:

• Bridal Gowns and Tuxedos Rental
• Wedding Emcees and DJs
• Wedding Photographers and Photo Booths
• Videographers
• Organising Overseas Pre-Wedding Video and Photo Shoots
• Destination Weddings (Holding Your Wedding Overseas)
• Wedding Solemnisation Planning
• Wedding Proposal Planning

Wait a second. Can’t I just engage my friends to plan out my wedding? They know me best! 

This is definitely a no-brainer, especially if you have a budget constraint. However, it’s a very simplistic statement that overlooks a lot of things.

Provided your friend’s a wedding planner (and I certainly hope you’ll get a good discount), there are simply lots of knowledge your friends will not know. Aesthetics and conceptualisation, event coordination and budget management are some skills that are second-nature to your wedding planner. Most importantly, wedding planners know this industry inside out and are adept in dealing with various situations. 

Maybe your friends do have the knowledge, but remember, they’re also swamped in their own lives. Besides, you want your friends to do the “fun” part of your wedding, such as being your bridesmaid/ groomsman and organising your gatecrashing games. They’ll also probably need to deliver a speech in front of everybody, aka. The World’s Number 1 Fear.

Your wedding planner will take care of these taxing duties so that your friends will be by your side, sharing the good times with you, instead of working for you.

Cost of Hiring a Wedding Planner in Singapore 

A wedding planner costs anything from $3,000, all the way to more than $10,000, depending on your specific needs.

However, if you’re really on a budget, don’t worry. Here are some other suggestions.

Ways to Lower Your Expenses While Hiring a Wedding Planner in Singapore

• Engaging “Partial” Planning Services

If budget is a pressing issue, and you’re confident that you can handle certain aspects of the wedding planning, here’s a tip. You can consider engaging a wedding company for partial planning instead of the full service. 

Maybe you’ve gotten hold of your photographer and emcee for your wedding, and just want someone to handle the coordination of the entire banquet.

Another popular partial planning services include the engagement of a wedding stylist, who serves the role of the banquet’s interior designer. He/she will discuss with you on your ideal wedding setting, conceptualise and execute an enchanting décor for everyone to enjoy.  

• Go Budget While Remaining Stylish

Veteran DJ Young Leong has shown us that a classy-looking wedding doesn’t need to be expensive. This especially so when you merge your solemnisation with a banquet.

There are lots of elegant-looking looking venues that don’t cost much. While they may not give off the grand ballroom vibe, they can still produce an intimate feel for your guests!

• Only Invite Close Friends and Family Members 

To further reduce your expenses, be thorough with your guest list. Find out if it’s okay to reduce the number of guests down to only your family and close friends. Remember, it’s more important to invite people you care about than to invite people whom you want to impress!

Tips for Choosing a Wedding Planner in Singapore 

• Have a Thorough Discussion with Your Partner

Don’t go behind your partner’s back and plan a “surprise”, only to discover later that she’s unhappy your bank account has taken a considerable dip.

Everything, including the budget, as well as the scale of the wedding, must be discussed. Both of you also need to come to a mutual agreement.

Having a thorough discussion also serves as an opportunity to practise working through your differences harmoniously. You’ll have the rest of your life to perfect that skill!

• Your Planner’s Experience in Handling Weddings from Similar Culture or Faith

While the wedding planner doesn’t need to come from the same cultural background or profess the same faith, he/she needs to know how to work around your customs. 

For example, if you’re having a church wedding, the wedding planner needs to know how to style it up elegantly. He/she also needs to understand how the whole ceremony works to smoothly transit your guests into the succeeding banquet.

• Find Out what Venues Your Planner Frequently Uses

Usually, when a wedding planner works with a few familiar venues, there’s a possibility that you’re able to enjoy a special rate. Additionally, being familiar with these locations will help your planner do his/her job quickly and efficiently. He/she is probably no stranger to the venue staff and understands their work style. His/her familiarity with the floor plan will also facilitate in doing pre-wedding troubleshoots to prevent awkward situations from ever happening.

So look through their recommended venues, and there could just be a place that dazzles you and your partner! 

• Your Planner’s Proposal and Suggestions

I would not recommend settling for the very first planner you’ve met. You need to chat up a few planners and visit their showrooms. Find out from your planners what kind of themes and customisation they’re proposing for your wedding.

Let’s not forget that your wedding happens once-in-a-lifetime. You’ve got to make sure your planner’s suggestions sit well with you and your partner.

How to Work With Your Wedding Planner to Ensure a Successful Show? 

• Be Courteous to Your Wedding Planner

Ultimately, regardless of the services they’re providing, you need to treat everyone with dignity and respect. This applies to your wedding planner as well. This job isn’t as easy as it seems, and it can get very stressful. Communicating clearly while remaining courteous will alleviate their stresses and ensure that your wedding will have a smooth run!

If there are the presence of kids, remind them to behave and be respectful in front of adults.

• Have a Single Point of Contact 

Ideally, there shouldn’t be more than 1 point of contact with your wedding planner. Your wedding planner is already dealing with several people outside of your family.

There’s also a chance that your planner might be receiving a different opinion from your mother and your spouse, adding to further confusion. So it’s best to discuss and consolidate everything before relaying the finalised message to your wedding planner. 

• Avoid Last-Minute Changes 

If there’s an additional out-of-town relative whom you wish to include in the guest list, inform your planner immediately. You want to avoid any awkward moment when there’s nowhere for your guest to sit! Should that happens, your planner may potentially be chastised by your guest. Your relationship with your wedding planner might suffer as a result of that.  

You’ll also need to be 100% sure before signing any contract with a particular vendor or venue, for you’re the bearer of any potential loses. This will also add a strain to your planner’s hectic work.

Without further ado, let’s look at the top wedding planners in Singapore: 

Editor’s Note:

While every precaution has been made to ensure the accuracy and fairness of this listing, we acknowledge that they may be inaccuracies. Therefore, we urge you to contact the service provider above for the correct information and/or contact us with the correct information.

If you are a service provider and wish to be featured in this listing (MediaOne reviews are read by hundreds of thousands of Singaporeans), please contact us at [email protected]. There is no charge! Please allow us up to 3 working days to review before adjusting the information or including your entry.

Author Bio

Tom Koh is widely recognised as a leading SEO consultant in Asia who has worked to transform the online visibility of the leading organisations such as SingTel, Capitaland, Maybank, P&G, WWF, etc. Recently he was instrumental in consulting for a New York-based US$30B fund in an US$4Bn acquisition. Tom is a Computational Science graduate of the National University of Singapore. In his free time he performs pro-bono community work and traveling.
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