Why A Banquet Wedding May Not Be Your Best Option in 2022

Selecting a wedding venue is one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make when it comes to planning your big day. Here’s why a banquet may not be the most cost-friendly option. 

Next to BTO flat balloting, holding a hotel wedding banquet is arguably the quintessential Singaporean thing to do when you’re planning to get married. Many couples tend to go for this option, since hotels often offer large enough spaces to accommodate big guest lists and comprehensive wedding packages. 

However, if you don’t have at least 200 guests to invite or traditional parents who prefer not to go against the grain, a banquet wedding doesn’t have to be your go-to option. Weddings are, after all, quite an expensive affair, and while this is an important event in your life, your wedding venue is easily the most expensive item in your wedding budget, so it helps to be prudent when selecting the ideal one.

How much does an average wedding banquet cost in Singapore?

It’s hard to calculate the average cost of a wedding banquet since the all-in price can vary by tens of thousands of dollars depending on the budget, items included, and more. 

A wedding in Singapore can typically cost anywhere from S$30,000 to S$50,000, although the more extravagant ones can cost  upwards of S$100,000. 

The average cost for a table of 10 guests is approximately S$1,200 for weekday lunches and S$1,350 for weekend dinners. So if you go for 30 tables, the average cost for your banquet would be around S$37,000. Of course, prices will vary depending on your preferred venue and date.

Popular wedding venues and their costs

Note: Prices stated below are for tables of 10. Venues may apply a surcharge on top of these published rates, particularly for popular dates like public holidays, eve of public holidays, and special auspicious dates.

The Ritz Carlton

Address: 7 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 
Email: lixian.neo@ritzcarlton.com 
Phone: 6434 5021

Lunch: S$2,213–S$2,448
Dinner: S$2,684–S$3,390

The Clifford Pier @ The Fullerton Bay Hotel

Address: 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 
Email: weddings@fullertonhotels.com 
Phone: 6877 8968

Lunch: S$3,272–S$3,507
Dinner: S$3,154–S$3,272

Intercontinental Singapore

Address: 80 Middle Road, Singapore 
Email: sinhb.weddings@ihg.com 
Phone: 6825 1181

Lunch: S$1,507–S$4,054
Dinner: S$1,507–S$4,054

Four Seasons Hotel Singapore

190 Orchard Boulevard, Singapore 
Email: catering.sin.dst@fourseasons.com
Phone: 6831 7112

Lunch: S$1,728–S$3,507
Dinner: S$1,693–S$3,507

Capella Singapore

Address: 1 Knolls Sentosa Island, Singapore 
Email: gr.singapore@capellahotels.com
Phone: 6377 8888

Lunch: S$2,222–S$3,625
Dinner: S$2458–S$3,625

So why not consider an alternative wedding?

Given the eye-watering costs of regular wedding banquets, the more budget-conscious couples might turn to alternative wedding venues instead. Indeed, this might even be a better way to personalise your wedding. You get to pick a setting with a cosier ambiance, host a more intimate guest list, and you get the freedom to customise your wedding however you please.

If you have a smaller guest list or would like to step away from the cookie-cutter wedding banquet, an alternative-venue wedding can be a great way to celebrate your big day with your nearest and dearest. 

Here are some tips to help you with your search for the perfect alternative wedding venue.

How to start your search for a wedding venue

Before you embark on your wedding venue search, there are a few things you need to discuss with your partner. 

First, decide on your preferred wedding style so that you can narrow down your venue options, be it a cosy garden with lots of fairy lights or swanky high-floored restaurant, an indoor or outdoor reception and solemnisation, a sit-down dinner or buffet for guests to mingle (and dance). 

Then, draw up your estimated guest list and budget to shortlist venues with the right capacity at your preferred price point.

Finally, decide on the potential wedding dates and update your guestlist after speaking with your families about the number of guests they wish to invite.

Alternative wedding venues and their costs

Botanico @ The Garage 

Address: 50 Cluny Park Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Email: enquiry@thegarage.sg 
Phone: 6264 7978

Capacity: 150 pax
Min. spend: $8,000–$13,000++ (Lunch), $12,000–$20,000++ (Dinner)
Lunch: from $140++ per pax
Dinner: from $160++ per pax

Tamarind Hill

Address: 30 Labrador Villa Road, Labrador Nature Reserve
Email: singapore@tamarindrestaurants.com 
Phone: 6278 6364
Capacity: 280 pax

Min. spend: $15,000 – S$18,000 (Lunch), S$18,000 – S$28,000 (Dinner)
Lunch/Dinner: S$115 – S$140++ per pax

1-Atico

Address: 2 Orchard Turn, #55-01 ION Orchard
Email: enquiry@1-atico.sg
Phone: 8128 9747

Capacity: 200 pax
Min. spend: S$15,000 – S$23,000++ (Lunch), S$25,000 – S$38,000++ (Dinner)
Lunch: From $160++ per pax
Dinner: From $205++ per pax

Faber Peak

Address: 109 Mount Faber Road, Faber Peak
Email: events@mountfaber.com.sg 
Phone: 6377 9688

Capacity: 30 – 250 pax
Lunch: S$108 – S$128++ per pax
Dinner: S$138 – S$148++ per pax

Tanjong Beach Club

Address: 120 Tanjong Beach Walk, Sentosa
Email: events@tanjongbeachclub.com 
Phone: 9750 5323

Capacity: 35 – 100 pax
Min. spend: S$15,000 – S$20,000 ++
Lunch/dinner: from $88++ per pax

How to plan a DIY wedding

Know what you want 

Decide on the big-picture things like themes and venue, then zero in on the details, such as music, menu, photographers and emcees. Don’t compromise on everything just to save on cost. Do some research if you’d like to add some live music to add to the atmosphere. Better yet, ask for recommendations for bands or emcees with good reviews. 

Delegate early

The closer you get to the actual date, the less you should be involved as most of the work should have been delegated out in advance. If possible, DIY anything that can be done months before the wedding as that will take some load off you as you approach your big day. Have at least one person to help out with one aspect of the wedding — for instance, give a friend a role in flowers and decor, and put another in charge of entertainment.

Negotiate for small favours

When the flowers are delivered, ask if the florist can place them on tables for you, or pay the extra cost to have the drinks and ice delivered and spare yourselves the manual labour. Likewise, try negotiating with your venue provider on decor, whether it’s for nice tablecloths or extra touches for your guests.  Be sure to tip nicely afterwards!

Keep track of the details

Keep all your wedding planning documents in place, physically and digitally (never hurts to back up). In your folder, create a master list of all helpers, vendors, etc. along with their contact info, and keep this resource easily accessible so you and your partner can refer to it regularly.

Also create a planning calendar to mark the various goals and deadlines you may have, and set reminders and notifications on your phone to keep up with all appointments, deadlines and payments.

Bottom line is, staying organised right from the start will help immensely once everything cranks into motion.

For the cherry on top of the perfect wedding, charge your wedding costs to the right credit card to earn some sweet cashback.

Read these next:
Cost Guide to Weddings in Singapore 2022
8 Affordable Wedding Venues in Singapore
Wedding Loans: How Do They Work And Should You Get One?
6 Things That SG Couples Regret Spending On Their Weddings (And The #1 Thing They Don’t)
Cost Guide: How Much Does Wedding Photography Cost In Singapore?