Hotel Banquet or Garden Solemnization?

When my husband and I were planning our wedding years ago, we found ourselves sitting across the dining table, debating one of the most emotionally charged—and surprisingly logistical—questions: should we go the classic hotel banquet route, or embrace the dreamy charm of a garden solemnisation?

Back then, Pinterest was just gaining traction and Singapore’s wedding scene was evolving. Fast forward to today, couples have far more venues [45. 5 Popular Wedding Venues in Singapore (2025 Q1 Edition!)], vendors and visual references at their fingertips—but the dilemma remains.

So, if you’re standing at this crossroads, here’s a gentle, grounded guide to help you weigh both options—not just with your Pinterest board in mind, but with your priorities, your guests and your big day front and centre.

🌟 The Hotel Banquet: Tradition, Elegance, and Air-Con

Why choose it?

Hotel banquets remain the gold standard in Singaporean weddings for good reason. Think plush ballrooms, coordinated service teams, air-conditioned comfort (a major plus in our climate), and a strong sense of occasion.

• Convenience: Hotels have in-house coordinators, seasoned banquet managers, and trusted AV setups. You won’t be chasing down vendors in the rain.
• Prestige and familiarity: For many parents, a hotel wedding is a mark of status and tradition. You’ll avoid raised eyebrows from aunties who expect sharks’ fin and yam rings.
• Weatherproof: Rain or shine, your wedding will run smoothly in a climate-controlled environment.
• One-stop solution: Most hotels offer package deals that include food, decor, and even accommodation for the couple.

• Cost: Hotel banquets tend to be pricier, especially on weekends. Expect $1,800 to $3,200+ per table at popular venues.
• Formality: If you’re a laid-back couple, the grandeur may feel… a little stiff.
• Guest expectations: More guests = more ang baos = more admin. Be prepared to make peace with the guest list [37.Who to Invite to My Wedding?] politics.

Best for: Couples with a large guest list, traditional expectations to manage, or a desire for a grand, elegant celebration where everything runs like clockwork.

🌿 The Garden Solemnization: Intimate, Romantic and Uniquely Yours

Why choose it?

There’s something magical about exchanging vows under the open sky, surrounded by nature, with birds chirping and soft sunlight filtering through the leaves. A garden solemnisation offers a deeply personal, cinematic experience—especially for couples who value storytelling over spectacle.

• Aesthetic appeal: Garden solemnisation are effortlessly photogenic. Think Raffles Hotel lawn, The Alkaff Mansion, or even Fort Canning’s Gothic Gate.
• Intimacy: These events tend to be smaller and more meaningful. You’re surrounded by the people who truly matter.
• Creative freedom: You can personalise your ceremony, from handwritten vows to live music [58. Live music at weddings - pros and cons] and floral arches [51. Floral Arrangement trends for weddings (2025) in Singapore].

• Weather worries: Singapore’s rain doesn’t care about your seating plan. Always have a wet-weather backup or tent option.
• Limited capacity: Outdoor solemnisations are often capped at 30–100 pax. Not ideal if your mother insists on inviting her entire mahjong circle.
• Logistics: More vendors, more coordination. You’ll likely need an experienced planner [16. Do We Need a Wedding Planner?] to help manage the moving parts.

Best for: Couples who prioritise intimacy and aesthetics over tradition and who aren’t afraid of a little unpredictability in the name of romance.

💭 Final Thoughts: What Matters Most to You?

I think that it is always good to start with this question: what do you want to feel when you look back at your wedding day?

If you want regal photos, a structured experience and an easy path for guests of all ages, a hotel banquet offers assurance and elegance.

If you dream of barefoot moments on grass, handwritten vows and golden-hour light in your photos, a garden solemnisation might be calling your name.

You can also have both: many couples opt for a garden solemnisation followed by a hotel banquet dinner. It’s not necessarily more expensive—but it is more planning-heavy. Still, for many, it offers the best of both worlds.

At the end of the day, your wedding isn’t about impressing others. It’s about starting your marriage in a way that feels true to who you are.

And whether that’s under the chandeliers or beneath the trees, the beauty is yours to define.