Dollars and Sense

I think in many instances its very awkward bringing up the topic on dollars and sense.

I was hoping this page is helpful for my dear friends who might be planning for their wedding. Because I think the wedding is probably one major major project in life where one will spend – almost – their entire life’s savings on. (Unless you are pretty darn rich.) So in a nutshell, budgeting is very essential. It is about managing the resources you have and the desires you been dreaming of.

My more rational self always try to remind myself that I MUST make the decision based on the budget we plan and the resources I have. Yet, my irrational self almost tell me that “for a little more”, a dream wedding or a dream home realized is worth every cent I spent. But how far is that true? I am not very sure, because I realized that through this planning process, I am a very nit-picky girl, who is easily swayed by superficial prettiness! But I am greatly blessed to have a man standing by me, planning our resources in a way that my dream wedding would come through and try convincing me how stressful it would be on us if my expectations were unrealistic.

Disagreements often arise, because a couple is indeed made up of 2 individuals. Sometimes it’s good to “close one eye” for small problems, but I guess for bigger ones, both parties will need to talk over it calmly. Always detach the emotional self (which always tend to be emotional and destructive when it comes to problem solving) and think with the sensible and objective mind.

A wedding is but a night’s affair. Its the biggest party of our lives, but once the clock strike midnight, and when the guests start to leave, that’s when reality stare cruelly at you. I think the fairy tale or nightmare really begins the morning after.

So here’s a rough breakdown on our estimated expenditure. Hope that this is helpful for all brides and grooms to be in their planning process, though I cannot stress lesser that every couple is different and that every love story is different. Whatever the story, this is merely the beginning. Enjoy!

_________________________________________

The Home

HDB Purchase
HDB Deposit – $2,000
Cash over valuation – $30,000
Caveat Fees – $134
HDB Valuation Report – $150
HDB Resale Process – $150
Agent Commission – $4,000
Fire Insurance: $9.15
Property Tax and Conservancy Charges – $55.30
Sub-total – $36,498.45

Renovation and Fees incurred to turn a house into a home
Geomancer Consultation by Master Ang - $888
Wardrobe by Closet Design (Quantity: 2; Total Length: 15 ft) – $4,300
Sliding Door by Closet Design – $850
Tecno Hob (Mini 2) and Hood (K-2323) from Hoe Kee – $844
Household Lightings (11 sets) from Silic Lighting – $1100
Kitchen and Bathroom Tap fittings from Indulge – $500
MIscellaneous Furnishings – $6000
Renovations by Ho Bee – $9500
Sub-total – $23,982.00

Total Spent – $60,480.45

_________________________________________

The ROM

The British Club – $1800
Invitation Cards Printing – $49
Floral Decoration for Venue from Cocoon Divine – $600
Couple’s Attire and Accessories – $480
Bridal Bouquet from Cocoon Divine – $60
Table Runners from People’s Park Complex – $20
Solemnizer Ang Pao – $68

Total Spent – $3,077.00

_________________________________________

The Wedding

Wedding Bands – $1,300
Bridal Package – $3,288
Geomancer Date Selection – $38 x 2 = $76
Mandarin Oriental Deposit – $5,000

Total Spent – $9,664.00