It’s June and that means the wedding season is upon us! We have often heard laments that Singapore is a very expensive place to get married, but is that true? We’ve embarked on this journey to discover the supposedly few romantic but affordable wedding venues that are slightly easier on the pocket. Not everyone wants or can fork out the usual hotel venues where one table could cost (gasp) $1888 – what Resorts World Sentosa charges for a weekday lunch.
Here are five offbeat venue suggestions that would not cost you an arm and leg. They’re even romantic and beautiful, to boot! With this, you and your partner can focus on building your nest egg instead.
1. Spruce Ristorante at Phoenix Park
For those of you looking for an intimate venue nestled within lush greenery, look no further! This open air rustic restaurant features a courtyard which accommodates up to 70 people and it is perfect for solemnization ceremonies.
They serve unpretentious American food here, which is available in both buffet and sit down styles, and you can savour that moment with your other half whilst enjoying the treetop view and the sound of chirping birds and insects nearby.
Another plus is the restaurant is sheltered, and only the deck is alfresco. If it happens to rain, you have a backup plan.
Spruce Ristorante at Phoenix Park
Cost: Buffet starts from $68++ per pax. Sit down dinner starts at $68++ per pax for three courses.
Indoor dining room or the alfresco dining area require a minimum spend of $5k. The former hosts up to 68pax and the latter accommodates up to 110pax. A minimum spend of $10k is required to book the whole restaurant.
Contact: 6836 5528
Email: [email protected]
Address: 320 Tanglin Rd Phoenix Park, Singapore 247980
How to get there: Opposite Redhill MRT, take bus 132 and alight after 2 stops
2. Yacht
For couples who share a love for the sea or want something different, rent a yacht for the day to hold your nuptials and reception.
Some yachts have their own barbeque pits onboard. You could also arrange for catering (at your own cost). Space is quite limited since most yachts only allow up to 30 people onboard. You could also fork out more to rent the luxurious Royal Albatross which can host up to 149 guests.
The yachts are available for rent at four hours and you can extend the hours afterwards for around $350 per hour, depending on the vendor. Weekdays are usually cheaper but YachtCharter.sg is currently having a promotion where Sundays are counted as weekdays.
This would be a great and less-costly alternative. You can even choose to snorkel or dive after saying your ‘I Do’s.
The Royal Albatross
Cost: $5k++ per hour, minimum 2 hours for Royal Albatross, not including food and beverages. A maximum of 149 guests onboard allowed.
Book with: Marine Bookings
Contact: 6808 6303
Email: [email protected]
*Most yachts cost around $3k for 4 hours. Extension rate applies, food and beverages are not included.
3. SAF Yacht Club (Changi Clubhouse)
For those who prefer not to get your feet wet but still want to enjoy the view of the luxurious yachts in the backdrop, you might be interested in the SAF Yacht Club, Changi Clubhouse. You can opt for a sit down dinner at the banquet room, The Straits View, or tie the knot beside the pool with the sea beckoning in the background.
Stunning views aside, the next best thing they have to offer would be the wide variety of multi-cultural packages – from your quintessential shark’s fin soup to briyani to the kambing soup.
At the SAF Yacht Club, you have the option of inviting up to 250 people so for couples who plan to have a bigger wedding but have a tight budget, you might want to check it out.
SAF Yacht Club (Changi Clubhouse)
Cost: From $25++ per person for their dinner package (they have a variety). Sit down dinners start at $688++ per table for 10.
Contact: 6389 3760
Email: [email protected]
How to get there: Shuttle bus service is available from Tanah Merah MRT Station
Address: 110 Tanah Merah Coast Road, Singapore 498800
4. Singapore Turf Club
Saying your ‘I Do’s amidst the cheering crowd and the thundering of the horses’ hooves is surely an interesting experience. However, fret not, as the last race is usually over at 10.30pm on Fridays and 6.30pm or 7pm on Sundays.
The plus point? Couples will be given the opportunity to take their wedding photos on the tracks! Just look at the breathtaking sunrise (pictured below).
The only bummer is the age limit. If you want to host your wedding on a race day (Fridays and Sundays), only guests over 18 are allowed since there is betting involved. The Club is firm on this rule, but children will be allowed after the last race (usually after 10.30pm on Fridays or 6.30pm or 7pm on Sundays).
Singapore Turf Club
Cost: Starts from $80++ per person for buffet style solemnization lunch. At least 50pax for dinner or $888++ per table for 10. Minimum booking of 20 tables for chinese-style sit down lunch or dinner. You can host up to 1000 guests here.
Contact: 6879 1715
Email: [email protected]
How to get there: Kranji MRT Station
Address: Singapore Turf Club, 1 Turf Club Avenue, Singapore Racecourse, Singapore 738078
5. Rider’s Cafe
The Rider’s Café is great for couples who are looking for a more intimate wedding ceremony. It’s a unique venue and there are stables and horses right outside the yard!
This café seats up to 60 guests for a sit-down dinner and couples can customise the venue based on their wedding theme.
The three-course menu can be tailored to each guest’s needs. Three different time slots available – from lunch (11am to 3pm) to tea (3.30pm to 5.30pm) to dinner (6pm to 10pm).
Unfortunately, tea time is only limited to two hours and you cannot arrange for extensions unlike the other two time slots.
Rider’s Café
Cost: $55++ per pax for three courses. Maximum of 60 pax for sit down dinner. Up to 80 pax for cocktails with a minimum spending of $2.5k++ on weekdays and $3.8k++ on weekends, not including venue rental.
Contact: 6466 9819
Email: [email protected]
How to get there: 20mins walk from Sixth Avenue MRT
Address: 51 Fairways Drive Singapore 286965
6. Kombi Rocks
Ever imagined yourself in a classic Beetle, feeding your fiance some ice cream whilst chilling in the backseat? How about enjoying the view of the lalang fields or riding the old school white scooter with your bae?
Well, Kombi Rocks has got your back! This retro venue with its iconic fleet of Beetles and Kombis would surely give hipster couples that 50’s vibe they love.
The rustic charm does not end here as the whole diner is decorated as such with light brown tiled flooring. This certainly reminds us of gran’s house! Instead of the usual western cuisine you would expect (from such hipster cafes or diners), Kombi Rocks, fomerly known as Koon Kee Restaurant, offers Teochew-Thai fusion.
If you want a unique old school or shop house venue that offers Asian comfort food like Mee Goreng or Otah, we think you might like this place.
Kombi Rocks
Cost: Maximum 60 guests. The garage is also available for rent at an additional cost. Bridal packages start at $888 for a 4-hour rent of the Kombi and $638 for the Beetle. Do note that a 25% surcharge applies for rental on public holidays and outside of 7am-10pm.
Contact: 9008 6918
Email: [email protected]
How to get there: Opposite Bishan MRT station, take 156 and alight after 8 stops and it is a 4mins (300m) walk from there
Address: 66 Yio Chu Kang Road, Singapore 545 568
7. Wheeler’s Yard
We’re sure everyone has heard of Wheeler’s Yard. Unlike most hipster haunts, this place is huge, as it used to be a warehouse before it was converted to a cafe cum bicycle atelier.
This industrial themed venue will may need some decoration for that romantic feeling. The downside to this place is that only bookings from Tuesdays to Thursdays are allowed.
Wheeler’s Yard
Cost: Hosts up to 220 pax and rates start from $3000++ for a 3-hour booking.
Contact: 6254 9128
Email: [email protected]
How to get there: From Potong Pasir MRT station, take bus 142 and alight after 4 stops and it is a 10mins (800m) walk from there
Address: 28 Lorong Ampas Singapore 328781
8. NOM Bistro and Bakery
Remember when the slides were made from smooth hard tiles and how everyone, including your childhood sweetheart, took turns sliding down it?
Well you would be pleasantly surprised to learn that NOM has a small replica slide that us 90’s kids used to play with! This brightly lit cafe will probably bring back some good old memories. It also has a heartland feel to it, thanks to the colorful dragon slide in the corner and its location.
Not to mention, this spacious Bakery is also known for its customised fondant cakes. Go ahead and hire them to bake your wedding cake as well!
NOM Bistro and Bakery
Cost: Accommodates up to 110 guests (indoor and outdoor). Prices start from $1.2k++ on weekdays and $1.7k++ on weekends for 3 hours and extensions are subjected to additional charges.
Contact: 6747 3839
Email: [email protected]
How to get there: 12mins walk from MacPherson MRT
Address: 400 Paya Lebar Way, Macpherson Community Club Level 1, Singapore 379131
This list shows that there are romantic and affordable wedding venues in Singapore. You can have the best of both worlds. If we’ve missed any place out, do let us know!
(Header image credit: wedever.co, words by editor)
Also read: Under SGD500 – 5 Nearby Places For A Weekend Getaway
