Your Dream Wedding in Singapore: A Financial Planning Guide for Locals & Expats (2025)

The journey to "I Do" is incredibly exciting, filled with dreams of a perfect day. In Singapore's vibrant setting, whether you're a local planning your roots or an expat building a new life, a wedding can be a significant financial undertaking. While the visual spectacle of a grand wedding is often highlighted, at TallRock Capital, we believe the true celebration lies in laying a strong financial foundation for a blissful and secure marriage.

This guide will navigate the common components of a Singaporean wedding, offering insights into potential costs and how strategic financial planning can ensure your special day reflects your values without compromising your future.

Credits to La Belle Couture

The Financial Foundation of Your Wedding Day

A wedding is a joyous occasion, but it's also one of the first major financial milestones many couples navigate together. It's an opportunity to align on shared values, understand each other's financial perspectives, and set the tone for your joint financial future. Instead of simply spending what you can save or borrow, consider crafting a celebration that authentically reflects your personalities and priorities.

Why Consider a Financial Planner for Your Wedding Budget?

Even before the rings are exchanged, a financial planner can be an invaluable asset. They can help:

• Set Realistic Budgets: Working with you to define what you can comfortably afford, avoiding post-wedding debt.

• Prioritise Spending: Helping you allocate funds to what truly matters to you as a couple.

• Identify Cost-Saving Alternatives: Offering creative solutions that align with your financial capacity.

• Integrate Wedding Costs into Your Overall Financial Plan: Ensuring this big expense doesn't derail your long-term goals like buying a home or starting a family.

Navigating Key Wedding Expenses in Singapore

Let's examine some of the common components of weddings in Singapore and their likely costs, keeping in mind that prices are indicative and can vary widely based on choices.

 1. Venue and Food

This is often the most significant line item in a wedding budget, heavily influencing the overall cost and style of your celebration.

• Hotels: A popular choice for their convenience and comprehensive packages. Luxury hotels in Singapore typically range from S$1,364 to S$3,933 per table (for 10 guests), depending on the time of day and tier of hotel. They usually include catering, basic décor, a bridal suite, and sometimes even invitations and wedding favours.

• Restaurants: A growing trend for couples seeking a more intimate or unique culinary experience. Costs generally range from S$988 to S$1,644 per table. While offering diverse cuisines and themes, they might require more hands-on coordination for additional logistics.

• Alternative Venues: This category spans from country clubs and community centres to gardens, yachts, or even void decks. These offer immense flexibility and a unique ambiance, but often require separate arrangements for catering, décor, permits, and equipment, which can be complex to manage without a dedicated event planner.

• Cost Range: From S$30,000 – S$100,000+ for high-end hotel ballrooms, and S$5,000 – S$20,000+ for restaurants & country clubs (depending on venue and headcount).

• Solemnisation & Religious Ceremonies: A modest donation is often expected if you choose to solemnise or hold a ceremony at a religious place of worship.

Credits to Four Seasons Singapore

 2. Wedding Outfits

All eyes will be on the couple, and your attire plays a central role in your special day.

• For the Bride: Gowns can range from under S$200 for off-the-rack or online finds to S$3,000 and above for bespoke creations. Renting a premium gown can cost similar amounts.

• For the Groom: Suits can vary widely, from buying an affordable, well-fitted option to investing in a custom-made piece.

• Smart Saving Tip: Exploring online marketplaces like Taobao or Carousell can yield beautiful gowns or suits for less than S$200. Remember to factor in potential alteration costs for the perfect fit. Alternatively, consider reselling your wedding attire after the event.

3. Wedding Rings

These enduring symbols of commitment vary greatly in price, often depending on material, design, and gemstone quality.

• Price Range: While some premium bands can exceed S$20,000, most retail jewelers offer pairs from a few hundred to under S$3,000.

• Cost-Conscious Choice: For a deeply personal touch without the hefty price tag, consider custom-made couple rings from specialized shops, often available for less than S$150. The sentimental value far outweighs the cost.

4. Photography & Videography

Capturing the memories of your big day is often a high priority, allowing you to relive those precious moments for years to come.

• Professional Services: Packages can range from around S$550 for a short 2-hour solemnisation photography session to over S$4,000 for extensive wedding photography and videography packages (6-8 hours).

• Alternatives: Consider inviting guests to capture candid moments, or hire a talented budding photographer who is looking to build their portfolio.

• Cost Range: From S$300 (a thoughtful 'angpow' for a close friend helping out) to over S$4,000.

5. Emcee & Entertainment

The atmosphere of your wedding is often shaped by your emcee and chosen entertainment.

• Friends & Family: Many couples opt for friends or family to emcee or perform, adding a personal touch (and saving costs, perhaps with a token 'angpow' around S$188).

• Professionals: For a polished experience, professional emcees, comedians, singers, bands, or even classical music ensembles are available.

• Cost Range: Expect to pay between S$500 and S$2,500+ for experienced professionals, depending on their profile and the duration of their engagement.

6. Wedding Car

The grand entrance and departure are key moments for some couples.

• Luxury Rentals: A Rolls Royce Ghost with a chauffeur can cost over S$3,500 for a 4-hour package, while a Mercedes Benz E200 might be around S$500.

• Practical Alternatives: Consider a less expensive car model, or even borrowing a suitable vehicle from a groomsman or willing relative. A nice car wash and a full tank of petrol can be a thoughtful gesture for their help.

• Cost Range: From Free (if using a personal vehicle) to S$1,000 and above.

 7. Miscellaneous Items & Hidden Costs

Don't forget the dozens of smaller details that contribute to the overall wedding experience.

• Items: This includes bridal bouquets, wedding favours, tea sets for the ceremony, bridesmaid and groomsmen outfits, décor elements, and more.

• Saving Strategies: Source items from budget-friendly stores (like Daiso for décor!), borrow from friends, or even omit items that don't align with your core values.

• Financial Planning for Contingencies: It's wise to allocate a portion of your budget (e.g., 5-10%) for unexpected expenses that often arise during wedding planning. A financial planner can help you build this contingency fund.

Beyond the Big Day: Your Financial Journey Together

While the wedding is a beautiful celebration, it's just the beginning of your shared financial adventure. The discipline and communication you practice during wedding planning will serve you well for the many financial milestones ahead—be it buying a home, planning for children's education, or building your retirement fund.

How TallRock Capital Guides Your Financial Union

At TallRock Capital, we look beyond the single event of your wedding. We focus on building a robust financial future for you as a couple. Our advisors can help you:

• Integrate Your Finances: Smoothly merge individual financial habits and goals into a unified plan.

• Long-Term Goal Setting: Beyond the wedding, we help you define and plan for future aspirations like homeownership, retirement, and legacy planning.

• Investment Strategies: Design a joint investment portfolio that reflects your combined risk tolerance and growth objectives.

• Protect Your Future: Ensure adequate insurance coverage to safeguard your shared life and dreams.

Conclusion:

Your wedding day is a celebration of love and commitment. By approaching its financial planning thoughtfully and strategically, you not only honour your budget but also lay a strong foundation for a harmonious financial future together. Whether you're a local or an expat setting up life in Singapore, remember that every dollar spent (or saved) contributes to your collective financial well-being.

Ready to start your financial journey on the right foot? Contact TallRock Capital today for a complimentary consultation. Let our expert financial advisors help you craft a plan that extends far beyond your wedding day, securing a prosperous and fulfilling life together.