MBS wedding show - Weddings on the Bay

I am starting to plan my wedding already as we had planned to get married in March 2015 (since our flat is TOP-ing in March 2015 as well). I am getting restless waiting for the proposal that does not seem to be coming anytime soon and I have no choice but to start planning for our wedding.

These are the hotels that I have initially shortlisted (way before the real planning started): Fullerton, Sheraton Towers Spore Hotel (abandon plan due to number of tables), Novotel Clark Quay, Goodwood Park Hotel, Regent Hotel, Park Royal Hotel @ Clark Quay (due to their poolside ROM venue), Mandarin Oriental and Mandarin Orchard.

Of course, I did not remember what I shortlisted but I have actually written down the hotels that I would like to check out.

Anyway. My buddy from my workplace whatsapped me an image one day on the details for this Weddings on the Bay Showcase 2014. It is the first wedding show that I know of! She shared that the perks given are considered good, and also gave us a list on what kind of things that we can nego for. We have never thought of holding our wedding there somehow, but saw it online before and find it pretty. We were quite skeptical of going for the wedding show as we have not even set our wedding date! Buddy suggested that I can just go and take a look, and see whether they can allow me to hold on to the perks.

I discussed with my boyfriend, who agreed to go for the wedding show as it was FOC! So no harm going right. I was very impressed with the wedding show. Everything was so grand... The super big and pretty dessert table, with the impressive lightings... The super pretty ballrooms that totally gave me the feel that I love! (for upsell decorations - meaning you will need to top-up money to get them) To me, it was like, YES I LOVE THIS! Let me share some photos and you will know why I am so in love...

This is the 1st room that I stepped in... SO SPACIOUS! I like. Actually since I know nuts about wedding when we went, I just like the ambience w/o knowing what this is. Now I know, it's actually just showing you the cocktail table... And the wedding cake. 

 Canapies! Pretty desserts... And more pictures...

Let me show you guys the more "standard" design... Actually there are 3 standard designs from 3 different florists but compared to those I saw at first, these are really nothing... (At first I was still wondering what are these stage designs doing out there...) So I just took one that I thought looks better:

The main thing is here!!!

Super grand right? Ok la, may not be everyone's taste, BUT I LOVE THIS!

2nd florist...

 Not too bad right... Like the designs along the aisle!

3rd florist:

 Least favourite, as I'm not really into elegance/grand. Seems a bit too dark for my liking!

Now - ROM! 

Indoor ROM that looks pretty decent... 

 Outdoor ROM @ Garden Walk! I really love this cos it's rather special and the view is nice too!

  Other random things that I saw during the wedding show... Sat down to listen but do not feel comfortable signing up without any prior research.

To be honest, when I was at the wedding show, I was so blur. I did not know about the 3 florists, and I did not even take note which design is under which florist! And I was still thinking that I can mix and match the various things. I don't really know what is upsell etc... Everything was such a blur! And blurly we just spoke to someone there (not a coordinator) to see what they can offer us... The perks were indeed pretty good!

- Outdoor ROM cost waived (original price for outdoor is $500++)

- 1 night stay in a Deluxe Room

- 2 nights of bridal stay + free breakfast @ Sands Skypark

- Free flow beer

- Discounts per table depending on when you sign with them

- Waiver of corkage for up to 5 bottles of spirits, or waiver of corkage for up to 18 bottles of wine

Since what we are looking at is for ~20 tables (which is the minimum table @ MBS), we can choose 1 wish out of a few options. If you have minimum 40 tables, you can choose 2 wishes! Here are the options:

- Complimentary 1 bottle of house wine per confirmed table or

- Complimentary corkage waiver for 1 bottle of duty-paid wine per confirmed table or

- Candy station for up to 50 guests or
- Complimentary 2nd night stay in Bridal Suite and breakfast for 2 persons @ Sands Skypark or
- Complimentary 2nd barrel of beer (30  litres) or
- Complimentary 1 x Deluxe Room for 1 night

(Those strikeout ones are already part of the perks for the wedding show!)

We nego-ed for 25% of carpark coupons (up from 20%), but were turned down regarding our request for free flow wine. Honestly, there was nothing else to nego as they provided most of the things needed, e.g. free printing of invitation card inserts, pre/post refreshment in Bridal suite (was told that it was a meal each that we can choose from the menu).

We love everything there we have 3 concerns:

1) This is the 1st wedding show that we attended and we are not sure whether we will be able to find better hotels.

2) We have not confirmed our wedding date as my boyfriend would like to ask a geomancer to calculate for us.

3) Minimum table is 20! We wanted it to be a cozy wedding, and was looking out for venues between 16-18 tables. They told us that we just need to spend a total sum of 20 tables.

We spoke to the sales person, who allowed us to make a deposit first and let us hold on to the perks. We indicated that we are really interested in holding our wedding in MBS but we do not know the date yet. I guess she sensed our sincerity and allowed us to do so. However, we are unable to participate in their lucky draws as we do not have the dates. :( Ok, give and take!

Shall go for more wedding shows before making our decision!

*Afternote: please do read subsequent posts about MBS - there are things you can ask for, and there are also some 'hidden charges' and 'restrictions' as well!