Top tips to host the perfect wedding on a budget

Behind the glitz and glamour of weddings lies a cold, mercantile fact: everything costs money. From the dress to the venue and the tiniest decorations, holding a wedding in Singapore – and anywhere really – can be an extremely pricey affair, often going at prices upwards of SGD50,000. And if you’re not loaded with cash, this can be a daunting prospect. Not to worry, though, because we’re here with our top tips to save the bucks while savouring the night.

Plan, Plan, Plan

If there was ever a cardinal rule behind budget weddings, it would be prioritizing. Pick an area or two that is important to you and budget more for that while scrimp on others. If you want the best prices, you need to start planning way in advance as well. For one, this means that you’ll have more time to find value-for-money suppliers, and you can book early to grab a good date at a good rate.

Holding the ceremony on the off-peak season is a great way to save too, as prices will generally be up to 15% cheaper during those periods. You’d have to check with vendors on the specific peak-season dates, but hotspots include weekends, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas, so be sure to avoid those. Why not consider holding it on your birthdays, anniversaries, or a weekday evening instead?

Friends, or not.

Believe it or not, reaching out to friends for help can be a huge money-saver. If your friends are talented musicians or photographers, why not invite them down to help in exchange for their wedding gift? They’ll have fun doing it, and you’re left with more allowance to spare. On the flipside, though, having too many guests over is a sure-fire way to burst the budget, so do be ruthless with the headcount (try to keep it below 100). You can always throw a small, casual party to celebrate with more friends after the honeymoon!

Space and place

When it comes to location, an essential savings know-how is to hold your ceremony and reception at the same venue. Hotels are usually great for this purpose since they have multifunctional rooms, and you can just move the guests from the hall to the dining room. Also, consider picking a chic restaurant that is already well-decorated instead. Just seat your guests at their tables during the ceremony, and you’re ready to launch straight into your reception dinner afterwards.

Try to find venues that do not require you to use their vendors, as they typically jack up prices to make money off receptions. Especially with things like alcohol, you’ll be much better placed to bring in your own. For the liquor, we recommend making a trip down to wholesale distributors for the best prices. Things like photo booths can also turn out pretty pricey, so do consider making your own simple photo spot with some cardboard backing and fun props.

Flower power

Besides finding a place that is already well-furnished and beautiful, try minimizing the fresh flowers you use as they can be pricey. Swap them out with leafy garlands for a more refreshing feel, or opt for artificial flowers and non-traditional decorations like candles. Even better, grab some friends and make your own origami bouquets with crepe paper.

But if you absolutely need the flowers, don’t forget to discuss your budget with your florist. For instance, orchids and peonies are way more expensive than chrysanthemums, dahlias, and daisies, so know your options. Sticking to a few types of flowers can help you score better deals as well because you’re buying in bulk, and you can have a more coordinated colour theme for your big night.

Wine and dine

The mantra behind saving on the food is simple: don’t have your wedding at night. Besides being cheaper, an early afternoon wedding also means your guests do not expect a full dinner afterwards, leaving you free to satisfy them with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Do consider ordering in from a local restaurant too, as they are often cheaper than conventional wedding caterers. If you need to have an evening wedding, why not try for a buffet instead?

Now onto the wine. Besides bringing your own drinks, the first thing would be not to have an open bar, or to close it after the the first few hours when the meal begins. Better still, have a limited bar with a few selections of drinks including wine, beer, and soda. Consider adding a signature cocktail too, and don’t be afraid to get creative! Most importantly, don’t feel compelled to serve alcohol at all. Booze does not a party make.

And how can we forget the cake. The wedding cake is one of the most classic aspects of the ceremony, but a tiered cake can be ridiculously expensive.  If you are reluctant to fork out an arm and a leg for that, ask a baker to make a cake with a fake tiered cardboard or styrofoam base and a real, small top layer for the cutting. It’s common for caterers to prepare sheet cakes at the back to serve to the guests, so don’t be afraid to do that.

Going for the gown

A dream wedding is never complete without a gorgeous gown, but it’s hard pressed to find any other use for the garb afterwards. So why not rent it from a wedding boutique or buy one that is pre-loved? If you’re not one for tulle, you can always buy a lovely understated dress (see our selection here) or opt for a plain one and embellish it with sequins yourself (or not at all).

Taking care of everything can be a little overwhelming, but rest assured that little acts go a long way in having that dream wedding without breaking your bank. And as with everything, wedding savings comes with a little common sense. If you’re short on cash, we’re sure you won’t want those personalized napkins with your guests’ names embroidered on it.

Yijie Zhang