I’ve been telling my friends this for quite awhile now – I think someone should actually write a comprehensive guidebook on weddings in Singapore.
As in, really do some research into all the little wedding customs and idiosyncracies that we’ve come to develop over the years here in Singapore.
There is just so much information to document.
Seriously, if you want to be really thorough about it, I think you could write an entire thick volume on this subject.
Off-hand, I can think of some of the must-have topics in the book:
The Proposal
- ideas for proposing: what works, and what definitely doesn’t work
- possible venues to propose and likelihood of success
- where and how to buy an engagement ring (includes recommendations and price guides)
- how much one should spend on an engagement ring
- what to do after the proposal is accepted
ROM
- how to arrange for ROM
- what to do and expect at an ROM proceeding
Wedding Planner
- should you or should you not engage a wedding planner?
- what a wedding planner can do for you that you can’t do on your own
Bridal Boutique
- how to choose a suitable bridal boutique and package (includes recommendations and contacts for bridal boutiques)
Planning for Church Wedding
- ideas for selecting church music
- recommendations on how to plan your service
- logistic and manpower requirements, e.g. musicians, ushers, receptionists, page boy, flower girl, carpark wardens, caterer, etc.
- ideas for church decor
Planning for Wedding Banquet
- where and how to search for a suitable hotel (includes a general price guide and reviews/comparisons on various hotel packages in Singapore)
- timeline: what is a recommended timeline to adhere to when planning the wedding banquet, e.g. booking, downpayment, sending invites, tabulating RSVPs, etc.
- ideas for the wedding banquet programmes, e.g. slide show, musical items, etc.
- ideas for wedding favours
- suggestions for walk-in music
- suggestions for 1st dish music (NOT “The Final Countdown”!)
- logistic and manpower requirements, e.g. receptionists, ang pow guardian, emcee, yam seng party, etc.
- how to schedule the entire banquet proceedings
- what’s the most effective way to plan the table seating arrangements
- how to deal with contingencies
Wedding Customaries and Miscellaneous Stuff
- logistic and manpower requirements, e.g. makeup artists, photographers, videographers, best man and brothers, sisters gang, drivers, etc.
- what a typical customary wedding morning is like, e.g. start at groom’s house, go to bride’s house, come back to groom’s house, etc.
- gatecrashing: what a guy needs to know in order to survive the gatecrashing experience
- ang pows: a recommended guide to how much to give to the various helpers, e.g. best man, sisters, drivers, photographers, etc.
- how is a typical tea ceremony carried out and the significance behind it
Appendix
- listing of caterers
- listing of hotels/restaurants
- listing of wedding planners
- listing of bridal boutiques
- listing of wedding musicians/bands
- listing of photographers/videographers
- listing of jewellers
The above topics are what I can just think of off-hand.
And I’m not even anywhere near being called an “expert” in weddings.
In conclusion, I really think that someone should start seriously considering writing a definitive guide to weddings in Singapore.
Firstly, there’s tons of stuff to write about, and secondly, I think you can actually make quite a tidy sum selling these books, cos the demand should be there.
Just remember to share the profits with me if you really get down to selling the book!
actually there are guides on how to wed from some churches’ websites. I have got a copy. If you need it, I can pass to you.
Nah…I don’t think I’ll need it. Not for the foreseeable future at least.
You’ll probably need it more than I do, haha!
But thanks for the offer anyway. One day if I need it I’ll come look for you…
wah…was that well thought of or what!
haha…looks like you’re already well-prepared to tackle this. ;P
Estique: Looks like I’ve just provided the entire blueprint for anyone who wants to start writing the book! How kind of me.
Lingfeng: Er…nah. I’ll leave that task to some other brave soul.
Here’s the link:
http://www.chc.org.sg/eng/wedding/Wedding_Preparation_Guide_2009.pdf
It is very comprehensive.
Jerron: wah, even got checklist and examples. Well, I think different churches might have some different guidelines on the church wedding part. Most importantly, must go for marriage preparation course (MPC) first.
I found this rather “amusing” response to an FAQ found on the ROM website. (Was checking if ROM actually provides some guidelines on weddings)
How soon can we marry as my girlfriend is pregnant?
The usual time factor applies.
It raised an eyebrow.
Wow Jerron, I’ve taken a quick look at it and it certainly does look very detailed. I’m impressed! I’ve never seen such a comprehensive guide before.
Lingfeng: Yes, that particular question is rather eyebrow-raising indeed.
wedding planners are essentialy needed in every wedding specially if you are a very busy person ::