Wedding saving tips is not what many couple will be searching for when they are planning for their wedding. Moreover, we all know that wedding is costly and it’s going to be the most expensive experience ever you will be spending first time in your life. The once in a lifetime event is every couple dreams to make it an memorable and joyous one so most couple don’t really research on how they actually can save on this one. Do you know that you can plan and financing for your big day?
Looking back at my wedding, I could actually save more if I have done my research early and knowing a couples of wedding saving tips. Therefore, I decide to share with you some wedding saving tips I wish I know beforehand.
10 Smart Wedding Saving Tips to help you!
1. Do your research and planning early! I suggest 18-15 months before your actual day wedding. You can check out the bridal magazines, singaporebrides.com websites and or weddingforums.sg. For other wedding inspirational which you need, you can check out pinterest and theknot.com for more creatively ideas.
2. Plan your solemnization same day as your actual wedding day. This could allow you to save more of your time and money since you just need 1 package instead of hiring 2 times wedding photographer, 2 times renting of gowns, 2 times catering, 2 times make up artist etc.
3. Instead of signing up a bridal package or wedding photography package individually for pre-wedding and actual day wedding. Consider signing up the package at the same time to negotiate a better rate with them.
4. Look out for Singapore wedding fairs and workshops. You get to browse all the participating shops from bridal, wedding photographer, videographer, dessert table and many more at one stop! Definitely save you more time from having to visit all the shops individually and the best thing is that, their package is definitely a better deal when you sign up at the fairs. Not to mentioned about the goodies bags and lucky draws you can get! So bookmark this 2 website now Singapore Brides Schedule and bows.sg
5. Instead of considering made to measure wedding gowns and suits, rent it instead! Anyway, you will only be wearing during your wedding day and probably never again, it will end up in your wardrobe forever…. unless they don’t have your size. My husband is small size, so he had his made to measure suits that can be wore for any other occasions even after the wedding. You just need to borrow the unique wedding bows from the bridal shops if needed.
6. Get your husband and your credit cards ready before you sign up for any high ticket wedding package so you can earn cash rebates or miles! If it is not possible, you can also make special arrangement with the banquet manager or bridal studio for a monthly or quarterly payment depending on the credit cards’ cashback rebates terms and conditions, but you need to buy the package at least 1 year before your wedding day. Using these cards could probably help you to cover at least 1 banquet table cost! And guys that include when you are planning to get a proposal ring for her! And Ladies, that include your when you are planning to sign up for any hair or facial packages.
Best 3 Credit Cards that Help You Save on Your Wedding
Amex True Cash Back card
▪As an introductory offer you will enjoy 5% Cashback on up to a total of S$5,000 spend for the first 3 months plus a fee waiver for the first year. So it’s a great idea if you and your spouse can sign up for the cards to enjoy the double 5% Cashback on your wedding banquet package!
▪Beyond the introductory offer, you will earn 1.5% Cashback on purchases of good and services you make at anytime of the year with no minimum spending required.
▪Eligibility: At least 21 years of age.
– For Singapore Citizens and Residents, you have earnings which provide an income of over S$30,000 p.a.
– For Expatriates, you have earnings which provide a minimum income of over S$60,000 p.a.
– First Year Fee Card Fees Waiver and first 2 Supplementary card free.
UOB ONE card
▪Enjoy up to 3.33% cash rebate per quarter for at least over $300 spending, and with at least 3 transactions every month.
Do note that the cash rebate criteria will varies depending on how much you spend:
– A spending of $300 to $799/month will earn you a quarterly cash rebate of $30.
– A spending of $800 to $1,499/month will earn you a quarterly cash rebate of $80.
– Spending exceeding $1,500/month will earn you a quarterly cash rebate of $150.
▪To maximize the cash rebate usage, you can make special arrangement with the bridal studio or banquet hotel manager for a monthly payment.
▪Aside from that, UOB sometimes also offers promotions tied up with wedding merchants, so you might want to check back periodically for more updates.
▪Eligibility: At least 21 years of age.
– For Singapore Citizens and Residents, you have earnings which provide an income of over S$30,000 p.a.
– For Expatriates, you have earnings which provide a minimum income of over S$40,000 p.a.
– First Year Fee Card Fees Waiver and 1st Supplementary card free.
Standard Chartered Manhattan card
▪Enjoy up to a maximum cashback of $800 per year.
– A spending of $1 to $999/month will earn you a cashback of 0.5%.
– A spending of $1,000 to $2,999/month will earn you a cashback of 1%.
– Spending of $3,000/month will earn you 3% cashback
However, do note that this is capped at $200 per quarter (maximum cashback of $800 per year).
▪To maximize the $200 per quarter cashback usage, you can make special arrangement with the bridal studio or banquet hotel manager for a quarterly payment.
▪If you apply the card by 31st Dec 2015, you will enjoy a $50 Cashback when you charge a minimum of $500 in their eligible retail transactions within 30 days of card approval.
▪Eligibility: At least 21 years of age.
– For Singapore Citizens and Residents, you have earnings which provide an income of over S$30,000 p.a.
– For Expatriates, you have earnings which provide a minimum income of over S$60,000 p.a.
– First Year Fee Card Fees Waiver and first 2 Supplementary card free.
7. Make sure you have an estimate no. of guest you want to invite before committing the banquet package. Every banquet halls has its own minimum and maximum capacity. You want to make sure you can commit to those capacity before signing the contract. On a side note, don’t exceed the number of people you can invite. If the banquet room can hold a capacity of 300 guests with a minimum of 250 guests, stick to maximum of 280 invites. Don’t invite your friends’ spouse unless you are close with their spouse as well. This is especially so if they have kids and might bring them along too. Otherwise, you might not have sufficient seats cater to everyone and which in turn may need to turn down some of the guest which is rather embarrassing. However, you don’t want to invite just anyone especially if they are just your hi-bye friends because usually the Ang pow they gave might not be able to cover back your expenses. So before you book the banquet hall, make sure you have a draft guest list before committing the package.
8. You might want to consider deducting 1 table off instead of committing the actual no. of table you are planning to. The reason behind is because the banquet hotel will usually give you 2 reserved tables (In case you have more guest turning up), so let say you want to commit 25 tables to hold 250 guests, commit 24 tables instead. Yes, you don’t have to pay for it if the 2 reserved table are not used. But let say if you have 10 guest not showing up, you will utilize 24 tables rather than 25 tables. Meaning, you are saving 1 table costs if you were to commit 24 tables rather than 25 tables, otherwise you have to go back to the hotel again for food consumption! Yes, this is how I planned mine.
9. Remind your parents and usher to make sure the table are filled up before opening another table to avoid empty seats. This is especially so if there are guest who are not able to turn up for your wedding day.
10. Always learn to negotiate! Not on the phone or email but face to face negotiation works better!
Things you can negotiate:
Bridal Package:
Bridal Package: Free solemnization gown usage, free wedding corsage and car deco, free hair and make up artist or make up trial, free use of bridesmaids or mother’s gowns, free use of best men or father’s suits, free use of “Kwa” for tea ceremony, free use of bridal accessories like earring and necklace, free false eyelashes and ampoule, surcharge waiver for early morning make up, free bridal car usage or upgrades.
Wedding Photographer:
More edited photos, free coffee table book, bigger wedding album or upgrade of album material, additional frame or return photos, more pages for wedding album, bigger size frame for wedding portrait, FOC for extras charges like early morning or childhood video montage, discount for extras prints etc.
Banquet Package:
Discount, free food tasting session, 1 table off if you don’t want the food tasting, free flow of soft drinks, beer or wine, corkage waiver, 1 more night day in the bridal suite, free use of helper’s room, more carpark coupon, free solemnization ceremony room usage, free ang pow box, guest book, wedding cards or favors if you hold it at traditional Chinese restaurants.