(Photo Credit: Tyler Ingram, via Flickr)
“A wedding is a party, not a performance. If at the end of the day, you are married to the one you love, then everything went perfectly.”
After going through thick and thin together with your significant other, both of you decided that the time is right and it’s time to hear the wedding bell. Whilst this could be exciting for most but could be daunting for some.
With increased cost of living in Singapore, it would be wise to plan your wedding ahead.
Let’s breakdown the costs
Engagement Ring
For the guys, you will need to set aside this budget for an engagement ring. Ask De Beers and you’ll be looking at setting away with 2 months of your salary. Let’s set the figure as $2,000 for now.
Pre-wedding photography
This is optional but for those who are interested, it costs around $2,000 per package.
Bridal Packages
This could range from anywhere from $2,500-$5,000 and it will usually include gown for the bride and suit for the groom, bridal cars and make-up services.
Photographer and Videographer
If you are looking at professional photographers/videographers, $3,000-4000 should be quite reasonable. Look around and see if you have any friends who are professional photographers and that should help you save a few grands.
Wedding Band
Wedding ring can go from $500 to $4,000. Again, let’s set it at $2,000.
Wedding Banquet
If you want a lavish weekend dinner at a five-stars hotel, be prepare to set away around $1,500/table. 30 tables would cost you $45,000. If everyone gives you a red packet at $100 each, you’ll be looking at recouping $30,000. That will then cost you $15,000.
Honeymoon
This is highly variable and it depends on the places you plan to go and how long the trip will be. For a one to two week trip to a neighbouring Asian country, you will be looking at around $5,000. If you are planing to go for a Europe trip, be expected to spend more than $10,000.
The table below sums it up which include other miscellaneous costs.
| BRIDE | GROOM | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engagement ring | $2,000 | $2,000 | |
| Pre-Wedding Photography | $1,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Bridal Package | $2,000 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Photographer/Videographer | $1,500 | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| Wedding Band | $2,000 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Wedding Banquet | $20,000 | $20,000 | $40,000 |
| Honeymoon | $5,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Lunch Catering | $1,000 | $1,000 | |
| Emcee & Coordinator | $88 | $88 | $176 |
| Bridesmaid/Groomsmen Dress | $200 | $200 | $400 |
| Red packets for Bridesmaid/Groomsmen | $500 | $500 | $1,000 |
| Bridal Car | $500 | $500 | |
| Bouquet & Corsages | $75 | $75 | $150 |
| Gatecrash Red Packets | $500 | $500 | |
| Total | $33,363 | $35,363 | $68,726 |
Don’t forget that you will be recouping some of your costs from the red packets you received from your guests. For a setting with 300 guests, and assume $100/red packet and equal share between the bride and groom, you will be getting back $15,000 each.
The figures above are estimated and feel free to adjust the figures according to your budget!
