From The Straits Times    |

Image by Five Twenty Library from Eileen Kang and Calvin Wong’s vineyard themed wedding at Regent Singapore.

1. Use dried flowers instead of fresh flowers

Start collecting flowers in the months leading up to your wedding and hang them up to dry.

You can either use them as your table centrepieces or decorative accents at your reception area.

Plus, it’s easy to shift them around and keep them in storage till the big day.

“Using dried flowers allowed me to prepare the arrangements beforehand and since no water was required, I could transport them to the hotel the day before, saving my bridal party a lot of trouble.” – Eileen Kang, 31

See also: CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS – 4 THINGS THIS FLORIST WANTS BRIDES TO KNOW

 

2. Display your parents and grandparents’ wedding photos

Image by Jessica Yahn Photography from Cheryl Miles and Matthew Nixon’s destination wedding at Greenhouse Two Rivers, Missouri.

Another great idea in including your family in your big day would be to display your parents and grandparents wedding photos as part of your reception for a touch of real nostalgia.

“We displayed photos of our late grandparents, and at the back of each table number was a photo collage of our family and friends. The day was already about us, so I wanted to add elements that honoured our loved ones.” – One FM 91.3 DJ, Cheryl Miles 

 

3. Send a wedding call-out for items you can collect from friends

Image by Grizzypix Photography from Calynn Chow and Derek Teh’s rustic pink and grey wedding.

This includes things like used glass bottles, wooden crates, paper flowers and other decor items they might be looking to give away.

You’ll be able to save on your wedding budget and put the items to good use again instead of having them being thrown out.

Since you’re getting them for free, be open to what’s offered and try to work out a theme with what you get.

See also: 7 COST-CUTTING WEDDING RECEPTION IDEAS

 

4. Something borrowed

Image by Alex Goh Photography from Tracie Lim and Eugene Neo’s Christmas themed wedding at Hilton Singapore.

Instead of getting brand-new everything for your wedding attire, how about going with a family heirloom that holds a special meaning to you?

Like wearing your grandmother’s bracelet as your bridal jewellery, or wearing the same kua passed down from your mother?

“I brought part of my late paternal grandma, whom I was very close to, with me to the wedding dinner by wearing the gold bangle she had passed on to me. It felt like she was there with me on my wedding day.” – Tracie Lim, 26. 

See also: 6 THINGS YOU MIGHT REGRET NOT DOING FOR YOUR WEDDING!

 

5. Prepare a couple’s performance for your guests

Image by Glen Sin from Kew Pei Pei and Cheah Whye Keat’s lego themed dinner reception at Da Paolo Bistrobar. 

Hiring a live wedding band might not be within your budget, but if you’ve some musical talent then there’s no better time to take to the stage yourself for some good ol’ fashioned wedding entertainment. 

The worst thing that could happen is a highly amusing performance that will give your guests something to laugh about, but at the end of the day, it’s about the effort you put in – like how one of our real couple performed an acoustic number of a favourite song during their dinner reception. (image above)

See also: 8 INGENIOUS WAYS TO KEEP YOUR WEDDING GUESTS ENTERTAINED

 

6. Leave handwritten thank you notes at your guests’ seats

Image by Eggs Benedict Chan Wedding Photography from Keiko Kodama and Ryo Kodama’s wedding. 

This is probably a little time-consuming but we’re sure your guests will be touched by this gesture. It could be a short quote or just a quick thank you note for their friendship and presence at the celebration.

“We really wanted to appreciate our guests, and it’s not easy to spend a lot of time with every singe one of our guests, so we created individual messages for each of them.” – Keiko Kodama.   

 


If you’re just starting out on your search for wedding vendors, check out our list here:

Photography: THESE 10 SINGAPORE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKE MODERN, SWOON-WORTHY PICTURES

Bridal hair and makeup: 10 SINGAPORE WEDDING MAKEUP ARTISTS BRIDES-TO-BE ARE LOVING NOW

Flowers: 21 SINGAPORE FLORISTS TO LOOK TO FOR YOUR BRIDAL BOUQUET AND CENTREPIECES

Wedding gowns: GORGEOUS BESPOKE WEDDING DRESSES! 9 LOCAL DESIGNERS TO CHECK OUT

Photobooth vendors: 9 FUN PHOTO BOOTH VENDORS FOR YOUR WEDDING!

Venues: 21 OF THE GRANDEST AND MOST GLAMOROUS BALLROOMS IN SINGAPORE

Bridal entourage shoot locations: 9 LOCATIONS FOR YOUR BRIDAL ENTOURAGE PHOTOSHOOT!