Aiseh, so you met the love of your life, got engaged, and are now going to tie the knot. Congrats!
Weddings in Singapore can be atas and expensive. But hey, it’s one of your biggest and most memorable days; as long as you and your future spouse can afford it, go ahead and make it as grand as you feel like. Regardless of your wedding plans, saving for it should not be neglected. You and your partner have to be equally diligent on setting aside your money for the big day. Make use of Hugo’s Money Pots to help you get there — just set your goals and time-frames so that you can reach that goal and at the right time!
With that said, fairytale weddings don’t have to be mindlessly expensive affairs. We’ve come up with some lobangs for you to squeeze the dollar. We’re talkin’ champagne taste on a beer budget, baby!
Book Your Wedding Venue in Advance
Best time to book: T minus ≥12 months
As soon as you and your partner have agreed on a date, mai tu liao, start looking at the location. Popular locations in Singapore (especially on auspicious dates) get snapped up one to two years in advance!
When booking your venue, you can perhaps choose a less “hot” venue or date. By having your wedding on a weekday or skipping the hotel for a restaurant, you can perhaps get a better deal! A good restaurant can be less expensive, have a more intimate setting and even much better food too.
Get More Out of Your Wedding/Engagement Rings
Best time to buy: T minus 12 months
Unlike the wedding day which lasts for, well, a day, rings last a lot longer. Moreover, their symbolism is priceless. Some don’t mind simple rings, but if you and your partner jive with having fancy ones, there are various ways to make the best out of the spend:
Don’t Buy Wedding Gowns/Suits That You Won’t Keep
Best time to search: T minus 7 months
Wedding outfits are not cheap, yo! For the bride and the bridesmaids, they’ll probably wear their dresses only once.
Instead of buying the dress, rent it! Many boutiques offer gown rentals with pretty good selections and accompanying services. Ask your married friends for recommendations too–many studios reward referrals.
If you really want to buy the gown for yourselves, check out the boutiques in Far East Plaza to hunt for the best deals instead of the fancy ones along Tanjong Pagar.
Some other great options for less expensive wedding gowns include:
- Clearance racks at bridal stores
- Taobao’s dedicated wedding section (these dresses might require some altering and be sure to read the reviews first!)
Get Amateur Photographers for Wacky Wedding Shots
Best time to do: T minus 5 months
Nowadays, couples prefer casual, fun and candid shots to document their relationship, so studios no longer have the monopoly on wedding photoshoots. Most of us will probably know a friend or two with a photography hobby — ask them for a favour!
If you still prefer to engage a pro, try getting your friends to join in and snap some shots themselves to capture behind-the-scenes shots! You might be pleasantly surprised at how lovely they can turn out.
Up-and-coming photographers can often offer better deals as compared to established ones. They can be just as good and are more willing to charge less to gain more exposure. Be sure to check out their portfolios first before committing!
The Smaller Details: Little Savings That Go A Long Way
Best time to get: T minus 3-5 months
This is when you plan for all the smaller details that make your wedding uniquely yours. We’re talking flowers, favours, the wedding car, the emcee, centrepieces and all the other miscellaneous things that will keep popping up as the wedding day approaches.
The Bridal Car
Do you have a relative or friend who owns a fancy car? Ask them if you can borrow it for the day before and on the day of the wedding. Not only will you save on the rental, but a cool sports car makes an impressive photo backdrop! Don’t have an atas relative whose car you can borrow? No worries, check out Carousell as there are many companies offering wedding car rentals at a range of price points. Also, reach out to a friend you know is getting married and share the bridal car decorations with him/her!
Wedding Favours
Wedding favours can be expensive, and whether they are useful to your guests is a game of 50:50 chances. Skip the monogrammed shot glasses or other cliches and check out all the cool local vendors for wedding favours that are as gorgeous as they are practical. If you can skip the wedding favours altogether, lagi best.
Wedding Flowers
Flowers are not cheap, but there are a few ways you can get them at a steal without resorting to cheap fake flowers.
Flowers are priced based on their popularity and whether or not they are in season. Instead of telling your florist which specific flowers you want, give them a colour palette and ask them to pick flowers that are currently in season. Also, ask your neighbourhood florists if they offer wedding bouquet services–they may be able to offer better deals than corporate florists.
Wedding Invites
Thanks to technology, your invites can cost you nothing at all. Instead of spending the money on buying cardstock and mailing them, just send e-invites lah. You can even link these directly to other platforms like a wedding website, RSVP list or registry.
Host Hen’s Night & Stag Parties That Are Actually Fun
Best time to host: T minus 3 weeks
These celebratory parties have become a rite of passage to bid farewell to singlehood. They often involve booze (lots of it), leaving the bride or groom to pick up giant tabs at the end.
With the current restrictions these days, we think it’s a bit lame to burn a hole through the wallet for a night that ends at 10:30pm for 8 pax max. May we suggest some creative party ideas that won’t make you cry at month’s end?
Disclaimer: Pricing correct at publication. Hugo is not affiliated with any of the above providers.
Now You Can Get Wedded Without Hefty Bills!
That’s it! Now you know all the wealthcare secrets to planning your dream wedding without the financial pain. Planning for your big day can be a long-term exercise, so bookmark this article so you can easily reference it at all the stages.
Sign to the guestlist now and be among the first to get the Hugo app so that we can help you save for your fairytale wedding!