Singaporebrides | Weddings 101

March 2024

The 5 Most Popular Types of Weddings You Should Know As A Bride

By Audrie Soh

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From traditional weddings to minimonies and elopements, learn about and find out which of these popular types of weddings is the perfect fit for you.

One of the most exciting things about planning your wedding is deciding what kind of wedding you’ll be hosting. Since it is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, you’ll want to celebrate in a style that reflects your personality and preference. Yet, at the same time, you’ll also want to honour your family’s traditions. If your vision and their expectations align, then choosing a type of wedding for your big day will be a walk in the park.

If it doesn’t, there’s no need to fret. From intimate affairs to grand celebrations, weddings come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you are leaning towards a traditional wedding or an elopement, or a celebration style that is in-between, there is a wedding style that is perfect for you. To help you pinpoint which type of wedding you’re more suited for, we’ve listed out five of the most popular type of weddings that you need to know of.

1. Traditional Weddings

Traditional weddings are often steeped in tradition and includes the whole nine yards, from the gatecrash in the morning to a tea ceremony at both the bride’s and groom’s family homes, a solemnisation ceremony in a church or at the wedding venue, followed by a cocktail reception and finally a dinner banquet to end the night.

Traditional weddings also see the bride and groom in more classic bridal outfits, such as a white wedding dress and a formal black suit or tuxedo. Since traditional weddings are usually held in a more formal venue, guests are also required to be dressed more formally in knee or floor length dresses for the ladies and suits for the men.

Since traditional weddings are usually big and grand affairs, they tend to cost the most among the other types of weddings. However, if you are working with a budget, you can still have a traditional wedding as long as you allocate your funds accordingly.

Best Suited For:

If you grew up with the vision of a wedding that includes all the classic elements, or if your or your fiancé’s family is more traditional, then a traditional wedding would be perfect for you.

2. Destination Weddings

As the term suggests, destination weddings take place in a location that is away from your home country. Aside from its location, destination weddings follow a very similar flow of events to a traditional wedding with less formality and more flexibility. Since more destination weddings tend to take place in a less formal venue, the atmosphere tends to be more relaxed and informal, creating a more enjoyable vibe for both the couple and their guests.

Destination weddings also tend to be held over one to three days, as compared to a one-day traditional wedding. Since the couple and their guests have to travel to the wedding venue, more activities such as a welcome brunch or dinner are planned to help guests settle down before the actual celebration starts. Couples might also plan post-wedding activities for guests who wish to explore the area after the wedding is over.

While destination weddings may not be as grand in scale as a traditional wedding, that does not mean it costs lesser to host one. In fact, a destination wedding may cost more than a traditional wedding in your home country, since you may need to cater to ad-hoc costs such as flying in your wedding planner or stylist, family members and bridal party, and pay partially or fully for their accommodation and meals.

Best Suited For:

This type of wedding is great for couples who love to travel and bonded over their common love for exploring new places, and would like to commemorate their love and new beginning in a way that is uniquely them. Destination weddings are also great for couples who want to combine their wedding with a honeymoon afterwards.

Since you’d have lesser control over the overall wedding planning process, destination weddings are best suited if you are more laid-back and less concerned about being able to work and meet up with your wedding vendors in person whenever you want.

3. Elopements

Back in the day, the word ‘elopement’ refers to a couple running away to get married. In modern times, it is used when a couple decides to jet off quietly for a private wedding, either just by themselves or with a handful of family members in tow. It is cosy, intimate and romantic. Elopements are typically fuss-free, since it is mostly solemnisation-only, or if a small group of guests are present, it may comprise of a casual reception after the couple has said “I do”.

While elopements are fuss-free and simple as compared to a traditional or destination wedding, it actually requires more planning effort than you’d think. Whether you are planning an elopement at a unique venue in Singapore or a destination elopement, you’d need to think about how elaborate you want your venue to be decorated. Having an elopement overseas also mean you’ll need to work with vendors who are stationed outside of Singapore. You might also need to find out if you are allowed to be married officially in the country you are planning to elope to, or if your elopement is simply a symbolic ceremony.

Best Suited For:

If you and your fiancé are more reserved or private people, and prefer a more intimate celebration rather than a large, boisterous one, then elopements are perfect for you. If you’re both a little adventurous, you might want to consider a destination elopement that allows you to explore a new country or a beloved one, and make core memories.

Elopements may also be a good option for couples who are on a budget and are willing to forgo the fuss and fanfare of a traditional wedding. Since lesser or no guests are usually involved in one, you get to decide how much or how little you want to spend on your elopement.

4. Outdoor Weddings

Whether you’re saying “I do” in a lush garden, under the big blue sky with picturesque view of the city or open waters, or under a transparent marquee that lets the night sky and twinkling stars in, an outdoor wedding offers a romantic and scenic backdrop for your special day. An outdoor wedding is generally a more relaxed affair and tends to give off festival vibes, which naturally adds to the joyous atmosphere of your big day.

While outdoor weddings are typically more casual, you can determine how formal or informal you’d like it to be. Beach and villa weddings are generally more informal and calls for a more relaxed attire from the couple and their guests. If you are planning on an outdoor wedding under a marquee generously decorated with lush florals and extravagant light fixtures, then you might want to inform your guests that more formal attire is preferred.

Best Suited For:

Outdoor weddings are the perfect choice for couples who love nature and want a wedding that reflects their love of the outdoors. It is also great for couples who do not wish to have a cookie-cutter wedding indoors a hotel ballroom. Outdoor wedding venues are often a blank canvas with the picturesque view of Mother Nature in the background, couples have more flexibility to be more creative and personal in their decorations and activities.

5. Micro Weddings and Minimonies

Popularised during the pandemic where large sized gatherings were discouraged to prevent the spread of COVID-19, micro weddings and minimonies have become options available to couples who wish to have a smaller and more intimate celebration between 10 to 50 guests.

A micro wedding typically includes no more than 50 guests and often comprises of immediate family and close friends of the couple, while a minimony is a small and intimate ceremony held with a limited number of guests made up of close family and friends. Both types of weddings feature a downsized guest list, which means more freedom in personalising the wedding and closer interactions between the couple and their guests, resulting in a more private and meaningful celebration with their nearest and dearest.

Due to a smaller guest list, micro weddings and minimonies are also great options for couples who wish to save money on their celebration, or splurge on certain areas to enhance their guests’ experience at the wedding.

Best Suited For:

A micro wedding or minimony is perfect for couples who want a more private wedding with some of the trimmings of a traditional wedding. Since these weddings tend to be held in a less formal setting, the couple and their guests are better able to celebrate this momentous milestone in a more relaxed and casual atmosphere.

Credits: Feature image taken from Eunice and Jeremy’s Lively Wedding at Monti at 1-Pavilion by Freddy Wong Photography

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