Don't want to go bankrupt from your wedding? You might want to consider holding a micro-wedding instead

How a small event can mean so much

By Saw Yone Yone - 3 Mar 2024

microwedding intimate small cosy — Credit: Wheeler's Estate

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COVID-19 fundamentally changed the way we live: the proliferation of hybrid work arrangements, cashless transactions — and micro-weddings.

What are micro-weddings?

Micro-weddings refer to weddings with 50 guests or less, somewhere between an elopement and a small wedding. While elopements tend to be more simplistic, micro-weddings will have the same structure as a formal wedding — only at a smaller scale. While already gaining traction before COVID-19, the pandemic forced many couples to cut down their guest lists, which exposed many to the practice and normalised it. Since then, TikTok has kept the trend going. The #microwedding tag has over 190 million views, with many popularising ideas for what intimate micro-weddings could look like while emphasising the cost benefits.

Why are micro-weddings a trend now?

The micro-wedding trend is a converging of two larger forces. That of a desire to keep weddings cheap, and increasing individualism.

The former is nothing new: Singapore has always been home to the cost-conscious. Practices like mass weddings (where couples would pay $30-40 to participate) were popularly organised by groups like clan associations from the 1940s to 1960s, especially amongst the Chinese population. This practice continued into the 1980s, with tour groups offering mass weddings packaged with affordable honeymoons. Even for those with more intimate experiences, people would make compromises with cost in mind. For example, the Berinai ceremonies which formed a vital part of Malay-Muslim wedding ceremonies have become slowly phased out with cost and time in mind.

The latter has become a trend that’s been intensifying as socio-economic conditions have changed. Weddings have trended from communal, traditional affairs with 1000s of participants to smaller Westernised ceremonies with around 200 guests. Even for traditional ceremonies, couples are opting for personalised twists with curated playlists and custom vows reflecting their own stories. This trend has only intensified in recent years, with many opting for wedding ceremonies with more unconventional locations and features.

Where are people holding them?

The micro-wedding allows couples to have their cake and eat it too. Booking locations at restaurants or unconventional locations like Yakun outlets, abandoned factories and even a McDonalds while having a more intimate guest list means minimised costs. Micro-weddings usually cost up to $5,000, especially if other elements like wedding dresses or decorations include more DIY elements. Many people opting for these cheaper, cosier options cite the event feeling more personal. Those around them would be their closest family and friends, and meaning a more chill atmosphere to create memories in. All without the exorbitant financial and time commitment of a traditional wedding. Of course, there is the potential for disagreements with parental expectations which need to be navigated.

If having a cosy wedding sounds appealing to you, here are some suggestions for wedding locations!

CHIJMES The Lawn

Credit: Invited Decorations & Lighting Singapore

1/8

CHIJMES has been a popular wedding destination, and for good reason. At the heart of City Hall, with lush gardens and the majestic hall as part of the backdrop, CHIJMES The Lawn promises to provide a fantastic ambiance for your special intimate night.

Depending on the arrangement of the event, the location can hold up to 300 guests.

Rates are S$2000 per day. You can reach out to them via this link.

30 Victoria St, Singapore 187996

The Halia

Credit: The Halia

2/8

Halia, meaning ginger in Malay, is aptly nestled inside the flourishing greenery of the Ginger Garden at Botanic Gardens. The Halal-certified restaurant, with its fantastic views of foliage, will be perfect for a nature-laden commemoration of your union.

You can reach out to them via this link.

1 Cluny Rd, Ginger Garden Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 259569

Yellow Pot

Credit: Yellow Pot

3/8

Conveniently situated in Tanjong Pagar's Duxton Reserve Hotel, Yellow Pot is a modern Chinese restaurant with a slick, sleek interior dotted with vibrant yellows. A perfect setting for an intimate wedding, you can contact them via their website.

83 Duxton Rd, Duxton Reserve, Singapore 089540

Wheeler's Estate

Credit: Wheeler's Estate

4/8

Formerly a British military airbase, Wheeler's Estate is a beautiful and flexible award-winning venue for your intimate wedding needs. Bursting with old world charm and decked with a bridal room and an experienced team of chefs serving European cuisine, Wheeler's Estate is a fantastic spot for a garden party or a wedding under the stars. Contact them via this link.

2 Park Ln, Singapore 798386

Peach Garden

Credit: Peach Garden

5/8

Peach Garden is a venue well-known for their affordable wedding packages and their good Chinese food. With numerous branches, including a very central one at the OCBC Centre with a fantastic skyline view, there will be a location that is perfectly convenient for you and your guests. You can contact them via their website link.

Peach Garden has multiple outlets over the island. You can find more details on their website.

Little Island Brewing Co.

Credit: Little Island Brewing Co.

6/8

With three locations: one convenient and central at South Beach Road, one at the artsy Gillman Barracks and one with a beach breeze at Changi Village, Little Island Brewing Co. is the perfect place for a relaxed wedding with plenty of craft beers and live music. You can contact them here via their website.

They have three branches. You can find more details on each branch on their website.

Food for Thought

Credit: Food for Thought

7/8

An intimate space tucked inside the beautifully conserved National Museum, Food for Thought serves up elevated café fare, and will be a fantastic casual space for your wedding. You can even have a cute photoshoot outside with the famous museum facade as the backdrop! You can contact them via their website.

93 Stamford Rd, #01-04/05, Singapore 178897

Fullerton Bay Hotel Floating Event Pods

Credit: Fullerton Bay Hotel

8/8

Built on water and with names ('Port of Call', 'Compass' and 'Voyage') calling back to Singapore's rich maritime history, these pods feature the stunning Marina Bay landscape as the backdrop. With a maximum capacity of 60 people, the pods will be an intimate and private space for your perfect night with your most cherished loved ones. You can contact them via their website here.

80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326