Love

The reason why wedding table prices has increased and are going to disappoint new couples

2016-03-22 , 11:41 am

Last Updated on 2016-05-20 , 11:32 am

Planning to tie the knot soon and already starting to look for potential hotel venues for your wedding banquet? If you have been following the prices of wedding tables over the years, you may have realised that they’re not looking very friendly as the years progress.

Yes it is the proverbial “our salaries haven’t increased but prices everywhere are”. And the sad thing is, a lot of couples, especially the Chinese ones, are not able to escape this trial of passage because of supposed filial piety. It’s a chance for their parents to invite their friends and family to share in the joyous occasion and maybe even earn some cash, more so if the couple happen to be the eldest of their siblings in their respective families.

But what is the real reason behind wedding table prices on the rise? Believe or not, it is because of inflation. At least that’s what the hotels claim it to be. In a way, an increment of S$30 to S$50 per person is still rather comprehensible. But some hotels are pulling out all the shots and charge exorbitant prices per table, so much so that some guests even decide if they are attending the wedding based on the price per head.

Yes, it’s that bad. With the entry of even more high-end hotels in Singapore, prices have been jacked up even further, all because these places are deemed more expensive and thus justify the high price.

But inflation is the truth and a scary one at that. You should have noticed by now, everything is Singapore is becoming more and more costly. This is also the reason why many couples are opting to just go ahead a nice solemnization party, then Scoot for a nice, long honeymoon somewhere exotic and beautiful.

But for those who are not able to run away from holding a banquet, it’s best that the both of you sit down together and work through a budget that will not leave you almost bankrupt after all the festivities.

After all, it is your special and happy day and no one should take that from you. One advice from a married woman (that’s me), try and spend at least 30% lesser than what you can really afford. So say if your budget is S$20,000 for the whole banquet, plan it in such a way that the total cost is a maximum of S$14,000. That leaves you with an additional S$6,000 just in case.

Hotels, on the other hand, are not going to be sorry for charging you more than the previous year. Obviously not. They probably get a fatter commission too anyway. You realise they are always pushing you to do a weekend wedding dinner that has a minimum number of tables set at 30 to 45? It’s all about the money folks.

But in all honesty, don’t be too caught up with this whole price war thing. If you and your partner feel that it is not something up your alley and the prices are also a thumbs down, feel free to talk to your respective set of parents nicely about not having the banquet.

Perhaps suggest doing something more intimate at a nice restaurant with close friends and family, then use the rest of the money for a nice holiday thereafter.

Tell them you wish to give them grandchildren as soon as possible. That should do the trick. If they insist on having the banquet, then ask them for financial aid. If no monetary help is extended to you, then do what you feel is best for you. This increment in prices is not going to go down any time soon, at least to our knowledge.

And on a final note, who says wedding banquets have to be held at hotels. Check out our article on the cheapest place to hold your wedding banquets in Singapore. And if you’re worried about “face”, trust us, your guests will thank you for choosing somewhere for affordable. After all, the more expensive your place, the more they have to pay.

Top Image: gnohz / Shutterstock.com

The reason why wedding table prices has increased and are going to disappoint new couples

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