‘I do’, but let’s spend less: Lavish weddings lose appeal as Singapore couples focus on housing, family plans

Spending on larger weddings has also declined, from approximately S$80,000 to S$40,000. 

Some couples are taking their budgets overseas as well. 

Destination weddings are popular in nearby locations such as Bintan, Batam and Bali, where costs can be at least 20 per cent lower than comparable celebrations here. 

Overseas pre-wedding photoshoots are also gaining traction, with couples attracted by scenic backdrops, lower costs and all-inclusive packages. 

“They’re going to places like China, where they settle everything for you – from gowns to photographers to hotels,” said Mr Alex Tan, founder of The Wedding Guru Singapore. 

“A three-day-two-night (package) will cost you less than S$2,000, which is a price you can never ever get in Singapore.” 

CUSTOMISATION IS KEY: INDUSTRY PLAYERS

In response, wedding planners and venues are increasingly offering tailored packages and forging new partnerships to appeal to a more discerning clientele. 

Malay wedding venue operator Lagun Sari has more than doubled its network of wedding partners in recent years, according to its director Trina Ng. 

“Couples are more particular about what kind of style, which vendor they want to have in their wedding package, so we cannot just fix it as one specific vendor anymore. It has to become more customisable,” she said. 

Before the pandemic, Lagun Sari worked with only two or three venue partners. 

Today, that number has grown to at least eight. Ms Ng added that younger couples are increasingly allocating their budgets differently. 

“In the past, couples would spend a majority of their budget on the wedding itself. (Now), they’re spending more on other aspects of marriage – maybe housing, honeymoon or other things that have more personal relevance to them,” she said. 

“They have realised that a smaller, more intimate wedding would still generate a very memorable experience for them and their guests.”