Singaporebrides | Weddings 101

August 2024

The Ultimate List of Wedding Planning Questions Every Bride Has When Preparing For Her Big Day

By Audrie Soh

Share this article on:
Facebook

Looking for answers to some of the more common wedding planning questions most brides have? Well, we have the answers to them here!

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting yet stressful experiences one can ever undertake, especially if it is your first time planning and coordinating an event of this scale. It’s perfectly normal for you to feel overwhelmed and lost at times, with plenty of questions on what you should or should not do and can or cannot do.

To make your wedding planning journey easier and more enjoyable for you, we’ve put together a list of common questions brides have about planning a wedding and its corresponding answers, so you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the planning process with confidence, making your journey to happily-ever-after as smooth and joyous as possible.

Wedding Planning

Q: I just got engaged! What are the first things I need to do for my wedding planning?

A: First and foremost, congratulations! Before you start on your wedding planning proper, do take some time to bask in the moment of your engagement with your partner. Once you’ve had some time to do that, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and plan for your big day.

Before you start anything, decide on an amount you and your partner are comfortable with and able to spend on the wedding. This will be your wedding budget, and it will serve as a guiding compass for your purchases. With a figure in mind, you’ll be less likely to overspend beyond your means.

The next step in your wedding planning is to select a wedding date. You can refer to our regularly updated auspicious wedding dates calendar or meet with a qualified fengshui master for a more in-depth calculation of an auspicious wedding date. Or, you can simply choose a date that bears meaning to your relationship. After you have a date, you can start searching for suitable wedding vendors, especially if you have a specific vendor in mind or are getting married during peak wedding months. Not sure how you should prioritise your search for wedding vendors? Simply let our wedding planning guide steer you in the right direction.

Q: What are some wedding planning mistakes I should be aware of?

A: Planning a wedding, especially if you are doing it alone, is a huge feat, and many make mistakes, big and small, along the way. Some of the more common wedding planning mistakes most couples make include not having a wedding vision before they start planning one and looking for vendors, not using a wedding checklist to stay organised during the planning, trying to do it all on their own and of course, not having a wedding budget in place before you start paying for the celebration.

If you are planning an outdoor wedding, you might want to have a back-up plan in case of inclement weather, such as coming up with a wet weather plan and consider how the strength of the wind might affect your decor and set-up. You might also want to give more thought on the comfort of your guests in the outdoors, such as providing outdoor fans and shelter to combat the heat, and having some form of bug control in place to keep insects at bay.

Q: My wedding venue has a limited capacity but both my and my groom have big families. How do I go about creating our guest list?

A: Next to your wedding budget, deciding on your guest list is probably the next most difficult thing you need to do for your big day, especially if you have a limited number of seats available and a big family on both sides.

First and foremost, accept the fact that someone is bound to be offended that they were given an invitation, no matter how big or intimate your wedding is going to be. Once you’ve come to terms with that, start planning your guest list by compiling a list of essential people who must be present at your wedding. These people are the ones you cannot imagine your big day without, like your parents and siblings, grandparents, close relatives who’ve watched you grow up and close friends who have become family over the years.

Once those people have been accounted for, and there are still seats left to be filled, you can add in family, friends and co-workers whom you’d like at the wedding. Alternatively, to free up more seats for your family and friends, you can have a no-kids or no-plus-ones policy so you know you’re inviting everyone who matters to you.

Wedding Budget

Q: Is it possible to plan a dream wedding on a budget?

A: Yes, it is! There are ways to realise your dream wedding even if you’re on a tight budget, and one of those ways is to keep your guest list small. A smaller guest list equals a cheaper banquet bill, regardless of the venue you choose. By spending less on the head count, you can actually spend more in other areas of the wedding to bring your dream vision to life.

Weekends and popular dates such as double and auspicious numbered dates tend to be more expensive than weekdays, especially if they fall during the popular wedding season, so if you are looking to cut down on your wedding expenses, try to avoid planning your happily-ever-after during these periods.

Wedding lunches also tend to be more budget friendly than wedding dinners, so consider hosting a lunch reception for your celebration to stretch your dollar. Also, be on the lookout for exclusive deals and limited time promotions at wedding fairs or during special occasions to maximise your dollar while bringing your dream wedding to life.

Q: Any tips to help us stick to our budget?

A: Even with a wedding budget in place, the temptation to over spend may sometimes be too strong to resist. But with a little help, you can stick to your budget. Make sure you and your partner are on the same page about what your priority spendings are for the wedding. Pick three priorities each and share why you think it’ll add value and meaning to your special day. If you agree, that’s great. If not, justify your selections and come to an agreement. Some questions you might want to ask yourselves during your discussion are, “Would anyone notice if we don’t do this?” or “Would our guests’ experience be affected if we don’t do this?”.

More importantly, just because you have a wedding budget in place and have listed out your priorities doesn’t mean you don’t need to keep track of your spending. With optional add-ons available, you might still over spend even before you know it. Use a spreadsheet to help you keep track of your spending and essential vendors such as your wedding venue, bridal boutique, photographer and more. All expenditure for the wedding, however big or small, should be recorded into the spreadsheet so you know exactly where your money is going and how much of it is left for you to spend.

And while you’re spending money for the wedding, you might as well save as you spend by making use of rebates and cash back programmes offered by certain credit cards or at wedding fairs to stretch your dollar, so you can afford your dream wedding while sticking to your wedding budget.

Vendor Questions

Q: Who are the necessary wedding vendors I need for my wedding, and who are the ones that are optional?

A: Before you start sieving out who are the necessary wedding vendors and who are optional, it is important that you have a honest discussion with your groom-to-be to make sure your priorities are in line with one another. Discuss on how minimal or luxurious you want your wedding to be, and whether you want to outsource most of the coordination and planning or do it yourself. Of course, prior to this, you should have already agreed on a figure for your wedding budget and the size of your wedding.

Then, you should proceed to group your vendors into two categories – must-have and good-to-have, to help you further prioritise your spending. Must-have vendors are wedding vendors who are essential to every wedding, such as venues, photographers and bridal boutiques, while good-to-have vendors are those who can be absent from a wedding without negatively affecting the celebration, like wedding stationers or bakers.

At the end of the day, there is no hard and fast rule on who’s necessary and who’s optional. It all boils down to your budget and the scale of your wedding, and your wedding vision for your once-in-a-lifetime.

Q: What are the essential questions I should be asking my wedding vendors before I make a decision to engage them?

A: Before you decide who to engage for your wedding, you should seek clarification from your vendors by asking them the right questions to determine if they align with your vision, budget and expectations. Some essential questions you may have already asked on your first meeting with them might include their availability on your wedding date, their rates, how far in advance you should confirm your booking, and what their cancellation policy is like.

You might want to ask more specific questions with vendors that take up a substantial portion of your wedding budget, like your wedding venue. Clarify what their minimum and maximum capacity are, and whether you get an exclusive use of the space for your celebration. You should also check if they have a minimum spend or head count, and whether that includes both adults and children. Knowing these details will help you make a more informed decision before you decide to invest in them.

Wedding Etiquette

Q: Can we request guests to come in a specific dress code?

A: Of course you can! It is your big day after all, and you get to decide what kind of celebration you want for your happily-ever-after. While no one can keep you from setting a dress code, you should remember to keep your requests and expectations reasonable. Dress codes such as black tie, semi-formal and smart casual are common and expected at weddings, which makes it easier for your guests to meet your requirements.

However, over-the-top or unusual dress codes such as costume or cosplay, and masquerade may not be achievable for most of your guests, so be prepared to have some or most of your guests come out of theme if you decide to have these as your dress code.

Q: Is it a must to invite kids or plus-ones?

A: There is no hard and fast rule about whether you need to invite kids or plus-ones to your celebration. It ultimately depends on the capacity of your venue, and the kind of celebration you want for your big day. Do know that once you’ve made a decision, you should stay consistent with it across the board – if you’ve decided on a no-kids wedding, then don’t pick and choose who is or isn’t allowed to bring their child to the celebration, and that includes family members. The same goes for plus-ones.

You might want to be clear about who’s included in your wedding invitation by indicating clearly whether it is an adults-only celebration or children are also welcomed, and to ask your guests to RSVP personally if they are bringing a plus-one to the wedding, so you can plan your seating arrangement more efficiently.

Q: What are some ways I can make my guests feel more comfortable and welcomed at my wedding?

A: Make your guests feel welcomed and comfortable at the wedding by anticipating what they will need and appreciate at your celebration. There are many ways you can show that you care and appreciate your guests, and one very important way is to ensure that important details such as what time they should arrive at the venue, and the venue’s address are clearly communicated to your guests. If you are having a cocktail hour, make sure you’ve planned activities along with some light food and beverage for your guests to enjoy as they wait for dinner to start. You should also make time to greet your guests during the celebration to let them know you appreciate their presence at this momentous milestone.

Wedding Theme

Q: Any tips on how to choose a wedding theme?

A: Your wedding theme is an essential element of your wedding as it sets the tone for the entire celebration, and if you already know what you want for your once-in-a-lifetime celebration, then you’re all set.

However, if you are at a lost as to whether you should go with a romantic garden wedding or a minimalist one, or perhaps. you don’t know how you should go about choosing a wedding theme, you should start by looking around for inspirations from real weddings of actual couples who’ve tied the knot, inspiration galleries like Pinterest and Instagram, and even yourself! After all, your wedding should reflect your style, personality, vision and story for a celebration that is uniquely yours.

Wedding Outfit

Q: How do I know what kind of wedding gown fits me best?

A: Searching for the perfect wedding gown can be quite a journey – exciting yet at times a little overwhelming and stressful. But there are a few key factors you can keep in mind to help you overcome the stress of choosing a dream wedding gown for your big day. First, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about wedding gowns – the different kind of silhouettes, necklines and fabrics used. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to choose a gown that fits you perfectly.

Q: I’m afraid of committing to a gown or bridal boutique for fear that it is the wrong one. Any tips on how to avoid making a mistake when choosing a bridal gown or boutique?

A: We know the pressure to choose the perfect wedding gown can get too much at times that it leads to a bride making the wrong decision for her gown. Like every step of your wedding planning, you have to have your priorities right before you proceed. Start by envisioning yourself in a wedding gown and try to describe it using three words. Then, do your research on the available bridal boutiques and shortlist a handful to visit before you decide on one.

At your chosen bridal boutique, you can share with them the three words you’ve used to describe your dream wedding gown to help them pick out suitable ones for you to try on during your appointment. Once you’ve found the one, resist the urge to order it in a smaller size, even if you have plans to shed weight for the wedding. It is always easier to alter a gown that is slightly too big, than one that is too small.

Q: My groom-to-be would like to custom make a set of wedding suits. Where can he do so in Singapore?

A: There are many men’s suit tailors in Singapore for grooms-to-be who are looking to custom make a wedding suit instead of renting one to choose from. When it comes to custom made suits, there is the bespoke suit and a made-to-measure one. What’s the difference, you ask? Well, the degree of customisation, and how and where it is being made. Before you begin your search for a custom made suit, it is best to learn what makes a bespoke suit and a made-to-measure one, so you can better decide which option suits your needs and budget best.

Chinese Wedding Customs

Q: What are some of the traditional Chinese wedding customs that are usually included in weddings?

A: Traditional Chinese wedding customs are often included in modern weddings as they symbolise blessings of happiness, fertility, prosperity and longevity for a newlyweds’ marriage. The Guo Da Li ceremony, hair combing ceremony and the tea ceremony are some of the more commonly seen traditional Chinese wedding customs that are still part of today’s weddings.

Other essential Chinese wedding traditions such as the asking for the bride’s hand in marriage and the bride’s return to her family home three days after the wedding are not commonly practiced in modern weddings, but in ancient times, these traditions were an integral part of a Chinese wedding. Learn about all the Chinese wedding traditions in our master guide here.

Q: What is the Guo Da Li process?

A: Guo Da Li (过大礼), or the Chinese betrothal ceremony, marks the important formal meeting between both families and symbolises the groom’s sincerity towards marrying the bride and his assurance that she will be well taken care of after marriage. It is part of the traditional Chinese wedding rituals known as the Three Letters, Six Etiquettes (三书六礼), which includes the selection of an auspicious wedding date.

It usually occurs any time between two to four weeks before the wedding. The groom and a matchmaker, or an elder female relative with good fortune, will visit the bride’s family with a variety of gifts that represent fertility and prosperity. Different dialect groups will need to prepare a slightly different set of items for the Guo Da Li ceremony. However, despite the difference, all the items used for the ceremony should always come in pairs as a representation of good fortune.

Q: Where can I find traditional Xi Bing (喜饼) for my Guo Da Li?

A: Xi Bing (喜饼) are Chinese traditional pastries meant for weddings and are one of the items given to a bride’s family during the Guo Da Li ceremony. Modern couples may not familiar with this traditional treat, and may choose to replace them with modern day bakes such as cakes or tarts as their xi bing in their Guo Da Li ceremony. Whether you are looking for shops selling the traditional xi bing or bakeries that cater modern options in place of xi bing, you’ll find what you need in this list.

Wedding Solemnisation

Q: What are the steps for registering our marriage?

A: After you’ve said “Yes!” to the man of your dreams and picked a wedding date, it’s time to make things official by registering your marriage at the Registry of Marriages (ROM). But, where do you begin? First, read our guide to everything you need to know about registering your marriage, including how and where to submit a marriage application, the documents you need for the application, what to do if you are having your solemnisation at or outside ROM, as well as what you need to do if you are planning on a destination wedding.

Q: Do I need to engage a solemniser if I am getting married outside of ROM?

A: Yes, you will need to engage a solemnised of your choice if you choose to host your solemnisation outside of ROM. You can do so via the ROM portal, or you can pick one from our list of licensed solemnisers for 2024/2025 who are popular among local brides and grooms.

Destination Weddings

Q: How do I go about planning a destination wedding? Do you have any tips?

A: The idea of a destination is undeniably a romantic one, but the logistics of planning such a large-scale celebration in an unfamiliar country can be daunting and stressful. But with sufficient preparation and awareness, and some tips from us, you can plan a perfect destination wedding.

A useful and essential tip to follow would be to plan your budget properly. Know how much you are willing and able to spend, and how much you expect to incur for a destination wedding, before you do anything else. How much your destination wedding is going to cost also depends on the location you’re planning on celebrating your nuptials at, so it would be helpful if you already have a destination in mind, or are flexible with your choice of destination. Another great tip would be to hire a wedding planner local to your chosen destination for your celebration, so you can rely on his or her experience in planning weddings in that location.

Q: Do I need to invite everyone we know to our destination wedding?

A: Not if you don’t want to. Who you want to invite to your destination wedding is entirely up to you, and of course, your guests’ availability. Most destination weddings are often smaller and more intimate than traditional ones, so you should invite those who are most important to you, instead of guests whom you feel obligated to invite. And if budget and venue capacity allows, you can invite everyone you know to your destination wedding, if that is your desire to do so.

Q: Do I need to pay for my wedding guests and party’s travel expenses and accommodation?

A: While it is not mandatory for you to pay for your wedding guests and party’s travel expenses and accommodation, it would be a nice gesture if you can afford to do so. Alternatively, if you are not able to do so completely, you can opt to cover part of their costs if your budget allows. However, if you are not able to do so at all, do let them know right from the start that they are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation costs so they can start saving up for your wedding.

Credits: Feature image from Esther and Kai’s Dazzling, Jewel-Coloured Le Jardin Wedding by Sam from Oddly Familiar Photography

All content from this article, including images, cannot be reproduced without credits or written permission from SingaporeBrides.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram for the latest article and promotion updates!