The Nuptial Series - (iii) The Solemnisation Venue

All right, so we have got The Proposal and Filing of Notice of Marriage covered, now it's time to get to the exciting part.

At this juncture, some of you may be considering a Wedding Planner to take care of all the planning and save you the trouble / headache of finding everything on your own. As for me, I spoke to a couple of them but their services couldn't add value to what I have in mind, hence I decided to plan my own wedding.  

Don't get me wrong - wedding planners do take alot of work off your hands, and they would plan out a timeline for you so that everything is on track. Their fees are very reasonable as well, and they are able to help you negotiate for preferential arrangements, ensuring that everything goes smoothly.

But some of us prefer the fun of finding our own ROM / solemnisation venues. Here is a list of affordable, incredibly romantic and interesting ideas for your consideration. Well, do note that there are many other venues for you to consider, but these are the venues we have considered for our own solemnisation, and prices indicated are estimated quotes for us, up to June 2016.


1.  BEACH SOLEMNISATION
Fancy a breezy solemnisation with all the elements of sun, sand and sea all intact?  Here is a list of beach solemnisation venues to consider, whether you prefer the blessing of the dazzling sun or are prepared to be romanticised by the beauty of dusk

Photo source: Tanjong Beach Club

Tanjong Beach Club
Tel: 6270 1355
Email  events@tanjongbeachclub.com
Website: http://www.tanjongbeachclub.com
Prices start from SGD$5000 for an outdoor wedding of up to 50 pax, and SGD$10,000 for an indoor wedding of up to 100 pax.

Photo credit: Shangri-la Hotel

Shangi-La Rasa Resort (Sentosa)
Tel: 6213 4339 / 6213 4340
Email: perfectcelebrations.sls@shangri-la.com
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/singapore/shangrila/weddings-celebrations

Photosource: Siloso Beach's website

Siloso Beach Resort
Tel:  6722 3333
Email: events@silosobeach.com
Website: http://silosobeachresort.com/wedding.aspx
Last enquiry for up to May 2016 was starting from SGD$33,000 for around 250 guests, 10% seating, lunch

Photo source: Mana Mana Beach Club's Facebook page

Mana Mana Beach Club
Tel: 6339 8878
Email: enquiries@manamana.com
Website: http://www.manamana.com/parties.html

Changi Beach Club
Tel:  6546 5317
Email: marketing@changibc.org.sg
Website: http://www.changibc.org.sg/corporate_packages/wedding


2.  YACHT SOLEMNISATION
Love the feeling of being out at sea when you exchange your wedding wows, listening to the melody of the waves while feeling blissful under the azure covers of the sunny skies?  Yacht solemnisation may be the thing for you.

Here is the list of yacht rentals for solemnisation purpose - I was looking for 10 - 12 pax, for immediate family members only, on weekends.  Please contact them directly if you have larger groups.

Photo source: Grand Cruise Facebook page

Grand Cruise
Tel: 6555 0488
Email: reservations@grandcruise.com.sg
Website: http://www.grandcruise.com.sg
Rates: SGD$1,900 for up to 4 hours, for up to 23 pax; food at SGD$35.00 per pax.

Photo source: Yacht Rental's website

Yacht Rental / SingExperience / TeamBonding
Tel: 9178 1234
Email: inquiry@singexperience.sg
Website: http://yachtrental.com.sg
Rates: starting from SGD$799 for up to 10 pax for 4 hours;  BBQ food at SGD$300 for 10 pax.  Service is very polite and efficient.

Photo source: White Sails

White Sails
Tel: 6310 2679
Email: enquiry@whitesails.com.sg
Website: http://www.whitesails.com.sg
Rates:  SGD$1,200 for up to 12 pax; food at SGD$200 for up to 8 pax.

Yacht Charter
Tel:  9177 3105
Email: sales@yachtcharter.sg
Website: http://www.yachtcharter.sg
Rates: SGD$1,000 for up to 10 pax for 2 hours;  SGD$1,300 for up to 4 hours.  Food menu separate.

Photo source: Marine Bookings website

Marine Bookings
Tel: 6808 6363 / 9669 9060
Email:  enquiry@marinebookings.com
Website: http://www.marinebookings.com
Rates: SGD$1,712 for up to 18 pax for 4 hours. Food menu separate.


3.  GARDENS WEDDING
So you embrace nature and would like to exchange wedding vows amongst lush  greenery?   There are venues for you to choose from, whether you prefer the tourist attraction or a more secluded respite.

Photo source: Gardenasia @ Nyee Phoe Gardens

GardenAsia @ Nyee Phoe Garden
Tel: 6226 5881
Email: weddings@gardenasia.com
Website: http://gardenasia.com/index.php

Photo: Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay
Tel:  6420 6848
Email:  venue.hire@gardensbythebay.com.sg
Website: http://www.gardensbythebay.com.sg/en/events-venues/silver-leaf.html
Rate: SGD$5000 for up to 8 hours for up to 1000 guests, only for rental of venue.  They will send you a separate list of approved caterers for food.


4. SINGAPORE FLYER
Between the water and the skies, we share the same love for both. Hence, it was not difficult to see why we would check out the rates for Singapore Flyer's solemnisation. Incredibly romantic and timeless concept on one of Singapore's icon.

Photo source: Singapore Flyer's website

Tel:  6854 5211
Email: sales@singaporeflyer.com
Website:  http://www.singaporeflyer.com/special-occasions/premium-solemnisation-package
Rates: SGD$2,999 or SGD$3,999 package, for up to 26 pax, 2 rotations of about an hour, comprising food, wedding invitations, wedding favours etc.

That's it for our wedding solemnisation research / shopping. Do keep a lookout for the next entry about Wedding Photography Studios and Rates.

The Nuptial Series - (ii) The Solemnisation / ROM (Registering of Marriage) Procedure

So, after the proposal in Part (i), the next step would be getting ourselves registered - be it for the purpose of the new place, or other plans in place.

Well, you have to understand first that even though I have many cousins and friends who have gotten married over the years, and I do understand the basic procedures from them (a little bit here and there), I did not call them for a hand-holding guide to planning for the wedding.   Granted, it would have made things so much more easier - where to look for what, what is the next step, etc.

But I don't want to spoil my own fun at being a bride, Hence, begins the tedious process of finding out about the ROM procedure (from scratch). The detailed information can be obtained through ROM's website here.

To break it down into even more laymen's terms for you, the summary is as follows:

REQUIREMENTS
(i) If you or your partner are Muslim, this is not for you, sorry. There is the Registry of Muslim Marriages (ROMM) for you here.

(ii)  If you are above 18 years of age and below 21 years old, you need consent of a parent or legal guardian.

(iii)  If your current marital status is "divorced" or "widowed", then ensure your previous marriage was legally dissolved and to provide necessarily documents (divorce papers, Statutory Declaration or death certificate of a deceased spouse, whichever is applicable).

(iv)  If you and / or spouse-to-be are not a Singaporean Citizen or PR, then ensure that you guys have been physically present in Singapore for a period of at least 15 days prior to the Date of Notice.

(v)  You can choose to solemnise your wedding at ROM's premises (booking by availability) or any venue of your choice.

FILING NOTICE OF MARRIAGE
(i)  There is a minimum 21 days' period required between your Date of Notice and Date of Marriage (solemnisation). That basically means, if your ideal marriage date is on 14 February, please file your notice LATEST by 24 January of the same year. I wouldn't leave it to last minute just to play safe.

(ii)  You can choose to do e-filing at the comfort of your home or anywhere that you please. If you require assistance on using e-services, do drop by any of the CitizenConnect Centres (CCCs) nearest to you, or e-Kiosks at ROM Building itself at 7 Canning Rise, Singapore 179869.

(iii)   Fill in all required details of both parties.

(iv)  Do note that the Date of Notice is the date which ROM has successfully received all required details of applicants.

(v)  For those who used e-filing services, please DO NOT call or visit the registry to check on your filing status.  Instead, please do a search online here.

(vi)  Upon successful filing, you will be given a Notice Number for reference. Print the "Summary of Notice of Marriage" out and appear before the ROM (a date will be given to you) to furnish your documents and make a declaration of your status.

(vii)   The documents required are copies of both your spouse-to-be and your IDs (for Singaporeans, use your NRICs and for foreigners, your passports), the Solemizer Consent Form and credit card details for payment.

(viii)   If your marital status is not "single" at the point of registering, please also submit relevant documents such as divorce papers, statutory declaration or ex-spouse's death certificate).

(ix)   You MAY NOT cancel your notice of marriage. The eligible marriage date shall lapse automatically after three (3) months of the Notice of Filing.

(x)  Similarly, the date of marriage / solemnisation has to take place within three (3) months of the Date of Notice.   If not, the applicants would need to re-file their notice for a fresh date.

HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING 

A SOLEMNISER

(i).   Yes, you need to secure a solemniser before filing your marriage. You can choose from a list of licensed solemnisers who may also be Justice of the Peace, religious leaders, grassroots etc by clicking onto the ROM website here.

(ii)   What to look out for? The date of expiry for the License. Ensure that the license is still in force, and falls within the date you intend to get married.  

(iii)   Drop them an email or text (for those who provide a number). Most of them are usually very nice, and would respond within a day or two.

(iv)   Once you have secured a solemniser, meet up with him or her to sign the Invitation to Solemnise form (also known as the consent form) - see photo above. A copy of the form may be downloaded here.

(v)   Do note that the solemnisers are not supposed to charge any fees for their help. However, you know you need to be nice and offer a token of appreciation at your own volition right....? :)

(vi)   REMEMBER to ask your solemniser for his or her solemniser buddy's contacts - just in case something crops up and your solemniser cannot make it.

Well, I hope this helps! Have fun searching for your solemnisers and filing your Notice of Marriage!

Keep a lookout for the next post in The Nuptial Series, I will be touching on some lovely ideas and information on Solemnisation Venues.