1. How should a couple plan their wedding budget?
As a general guideline, allocate around 50% of your wedding budget to the venue and the remaining 50% to your vendors and other wedding services.
The venue budget depends mainly on:
- Type of venue — Chinese restaurant, event space, hotel or resort
- Location — Klang Valley venues may generally have higher venue costs, while outstation and destination weddings can also require a larger overall budget. Locations such as Langkawi, Desaru Coast, Bentong, or Overseas will involve additional expenses for accommodation, transportation, and meals. In many cases, couples choose to host their families and friends for a few days rather than just covering the wedding dinner, making the overall celebration more substantial.
- Guest count — 100 guests will require a very different budget from 1,000 guests
- Cuisine and menu — premium ingredients and menus will increase the cost
Once the venue budget is determined, you can work out the price range for your other vendors.
Don’t forget about decoration, which can take up a significant portion of the budget. If your budget is limited, keep the decoration simple and elegant. If you want a grand and elaborate setup, be prepared to allocate more.
2. Why do vendors charge split-day charges?
If your wedding activities are spread across separate days, vendors may charge a split-day fee.
This is because their schedule is occupied on separate days, meaning they may lose the opportunity to accept another booking. They also need to arrange manpower, transportation, equipment and setup for each day.
3. Does a wedding planner include decoration?
There are two types of wedding planners.
Some have an in-house decoration team, while others focus on planning and coordination.
Our forte is planning and coordination. We don’t provide decoration in-house because we want couples to have the flexibility to choose their own decorator. We brainstorm the decoration vision together with couple and decoration company, work closely with them to conceptualise and deliver the ideas,
This allows the couple, wedding planner and decorator to brainstorm and develop the wedding concept together.
4. What affects the price of wedding decorations?
Three major factors are:
- Venue space
The larger the venue, the more decoration may be needed to create a balanced and complete look.
- Quantity and type of flowers
Fresh flowers generally cost more than artificial flowers. The quantity, flower type and season will also affect the budget.
- Carpentry and custom structures
Custom-built structures and creative installations require more materials, manpower and installation work, increasing the cost.
Always share your theme, mood board and expectations with your decorator precisely so they can recommend the right design within your budget.
5. When should we send wedding invitations and collect RSVPs?
Ideally, send your invitations around 6 months before the wedding, once your date, venue and key details are confirmed.
Set the RSVP deadline around 1–2 months before the wedding so you have enough time to finalise your guest list and seating arrangement.
For overseas or outstation guests, consider sending a Save the Date e-card earlier so they can reserve the date and make travel arrangements.
6. Should we use an RSVP website?
Yes, especially if your guests are comfortable using online platforms.
An RSVP website makes it easier to collect and organise guest information. You can also include your love story, photos, wedding details, accommodation and travel information.
For destination weddings, an RSVP website is particularly useful.
If some guests are less comfortable with online forms, a simple WhatsApp or email invitation with RSVP via WhatsApp or phone works just as well.
7. Should we choose round tables or Viking tables?
Start by considering who your guests are.
Round tables generally make it easier for everyone at the table to interact. Viking tables are suitable if your guests are comfortable moving around and mingling.
You can also mix different layouts, such as:
- Zigzag Viking tables
- Viking tables along a walkway
- A combination of round and Viking tables
- Curvy table, round connecting tables
The venue size and capacity will also affect your choice. A round table for 10 guests generally requires more space than a Viking table for 6 guests.
Always discuss the layout with your venue management or salesperson before finalising the seating plan.
8. Why does bridal makeup take 2.5–3 hours?
Bridal makeup requires more time than regular makeup because the makeup artist needs to handle the makeup, hair styling, detailed finishing and sometimes gown assistance.
The makeup also needs to last throughout the wedding and look good in photographs.
Photographers may also take preparation shots during the makeup session, so allow around 2.5–3 hours to avoid rushing.
9. How many wedding gowns should we have?
For the ceremony, one main traditional or bridal look is usually sufficient.
For the dinner reception, we recommend a maximum of three looks so you don’t spend too much time changing and miss interacting with your guests.
A possible arrangement is:
- First gown: Cocktail reception + first march-in
- Second gown: Change during dinner for the second march-in
- After-party gown: Change around dessert time; this can also be your first-dance or after-party outfit
A detachable train is also a great option if you want two looks without a complete outfit change.
Your venue should influence your gown selection. For garden or beach weddings, choose lighter and easier-to-walk-in materials. For grand ballrooms, you can consider more dramatic designs.
Most importantly, choose a gown that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
For fittings, family members or bridesmaids are usually the best people to bring because they know your style well. Your gown specialist can also advise you. If needed, your wedding planner can accompany you.
10. When should we start looking for a bridal gown?
Start sourcing your gown at least 6 months before the wedding, once your date and venue are confirmed.
This gives you enough time to check availability, attend fittings and ensure the gown matches your venue, decoration and overall style.
Always make an appointment before visiting a bridal shop.
For a bespoke gown, start earlier ideally around 10 months before the wedding. Have your preferred style in mind around 6–8 months before the wedding so the designer has sufficient time for production.
11. What decorations can we have besides a photo backdrop?
Wedding decoration today is increasingly focused on the guest experience.
Instead of only having a photo backdrop, consider interactive booths such as:
- Customised food or drink stations
- Tropical fruit stalls
- Ice cream counters
- Live painting
- Perfume bars
- Tea bars
- Cocktail bars
- Personalised gift stations
The booth can be customized to match your wedding theme.
The goal is to create something that is not only beautiful, but also gives your guests something memorable to experience and interact with.
12. How much alcohol should we prepare?
First, understand your guests’ drinking habits — whether they mainly drink beer, wine, liquor or a combination.
As a general guideline for average drinkers:
- 1 barrel of beer = approximately 80 glasses
- 3 bottles of liquor per table
- 1.5 bottles of wine per table
Example, 15 tables, you may consider approximately:
- 1 barrel of beer
- 5 bottles of liquor
- 22–23 bottles of wine
If serving wine only, prepare around 3 bottles per table.
If beer and wine are also served during cocktail hour, consider adding approximately 1 more barrel of beer and 12 additional bottles of wine.
These are general guidelines. Your final quantity should depend on your guests’ drinking habits, reception duration and what other beverages are being served.
Let Us Help You Bring It All Together
There are so many decisions to make when planning a wedding, but you don’t have to make them alone.
Our wedding planning team will be happy to guide you throughout the journey, from budget and venue decisions to vendors, timelines and all the little details in between.
Let us take care of the planning, so you can focus on celebrating and making beautiful memories.
