Bali Wedding Cost from Singapore: Is a Bali Destination Wedding Cheaper Than a Singapore Wedding?
Many Singapore couples assume a destination wedding in Bali must be more expensive than a local wedding in Singapore.
Sometimes it is. Sometimes it is not.
The real answer depends on how you structure your wedding and what you are comparing against. A Bali wedding weekend is not the same product as a single Singapore hotel banquet dinner. If you compare apples to apples, Bali can offer surprisingly good value, and some couples can even do a simple overseas celebration for less than a typical local package.
This guide breaks down the real cost drivers, typical Bali wedding package ranges, hidden costs to watch for, and practical ways to keep the budget under control. It also covers the key ROM and legal options for Singapore couples.
The cost myth: are Bali destination weddings always expensive?
No. The total cost is a function of three big variables:
- Guest count
- Venue type and inclusions
- Who pays for travel and accommodation
A couple hosting 15 guests at a small Bali resort will land in a completely different budget universe from a couple hosting 80 guests at a luxury villa buyout with multiple events.
How to compare Bali vs Singapore wedding costs fairly
If you want a clean comparison, use this framework:
Step 1: Decide your guest count first
Destination weddings often shine when you are intentionally small.
Step 2: Compare like-for-like experiences
Singapore hotel banquet dinner versus Bali dinner only is one comparison.
Singapore wedding weekend experience versus Bali wedding weekend experience is another.
Step 3: Separate wedding event costs from travel costs
In Bali, you have wedding event costs (venue, food, decor, vendors) and you have travel costs (flights, accommodation, transport). In fact, most couple do not cover travel for guests.
Typical Bali wedding package price ranges and what is included
Ballpark figures vary widely, but a few Singapore oriented references provide useful anchors.
DBS, in a Singapore focused breakdown, suggests loose ballpark figures where a small hotel wedding can range around $5,000 to $7,000, while a true villa wedding can reach around $25,000 for the event, excluding longer stays and extra guests you are paying for.
Seedly’s older estimate (2019) totals a broader end to end range of roughly $10,047 to $28,895, depending on how the wedding is structured and what is included, which again highlights that there is no single fixed price.
What is usually included in Bali wedding packages?
- Ceremony set up and styling
Basic florals and decor
Food and beverage packages
Coordinator support
Sound system and basic lighting
Venue rental or function fee
Hidden costs and common upgrades that change the final bill
These are the line items that often surprise couples:
- Additional guests or per person surcharges
Many venues price packages with a base guest count and then charge per additional guest. - Upgraded florals and decor
If you want statement florals, fuller table styling, or dramatic ceremony arches, this can escalate quickly. - Vendor travel and accommodation
If you are bringing vendors from Singapore, you are paying for flights, stay, and possibly additional day rates. - Extra event moments
Welcome drinks, after party, next day brunch, and excursions create the wedding weekend feel, but they also add cost. - Contingency planning for weather
Rain plans can involve tenting, alternative spaces, and additional logistics.
This is why it is important to compare “base package cost” versus “likely real cost after upgrades.”
Why Bali can give more value than Singapore packages for the same budget
If you compare a Bali celebration with a Singapore package at the same total spend, here are examples of where Bali often delivers more:
- Private buyout feel
A villa or boutique resort setting can feel exclusive in a way that is expensive to replicate locally. - Multi day use
Many Bali weddings naturally extend into multiple moments, which is harder to do in Singapore without stacking multiple venue bookings. - Ceremony and reception in one scenic setting
Bali venues can include dramatic natural backdrops as part of the venue value. - Decor impact per dollar
Many couples find they can stretch styling further at the same budget level, depending on the venue and vendor mix. - Flexibility in flow
Some Bali venues allow a more relaxed pacing compared to fixed session blocks that are common in Singapore.
This is the “bang for buck” argument: not necessarily that Bali is always cheaper, but that you can often get more experience per dollar.
How to do it cheaper: small guest count, simple program, brunch reception
If your goal is to keep the total wedding cost lower than a typical Singapore wedding, these are the highest leverage strategies:
- Keep the guest list intentionally small
Every extra guest multiplies your food, seating, transport, and coordination needs. - Avoid a multi venue program
Choose a venue where ceremony and reception happen in one place. - Choose a simpler format
Some couples do a simple overseas ROM style celebration and pair it with a brunch reception. We did an overseas ROM plus brunch reception for under 7,000 by keeping it small and uncomplicated.
If you want this to be maximally useful for SEO readers, consider presenting your example as a “range example” rather than a full personal breakdown:
Under 7,000 for a small group, simple brunch style celebration
10,000 to 20,000 for a mid size celebration with a dinner and upgraded decor
20,000 plus for larger groups, premium venues, and multi day programming
Legal and ROM options for Singapore couples
These are important considerations that are often overlooked when you are doing a destination wedding.
Option 1: Register legally in Singapore, celebrate in Bali
This is often the simplest administratively. You complete your Singapore marriage process, then treat the Bali event as the celebration.
Singapore’s official marriage process states that the earliest you can hold your solemnisation is 21 days after submitting your marriage application, since you are legally required to give a minimum 21 day notice.
Option 2: Legally marry overseas, then update records if needed
If you legally marry overseas and it is valid under the law of where it was contracted, Singapore does not require you to register it with ROM for it to be recognised.
The Singapore government’s marriage portal states you are not required to register a marriage contracted overseas under the Women’s Charter, and that registration is not required.
AskGov also clarifies that there is no provision requiring couples to register their overseas marriage with ROM for recognition, and that registration is voluntary and administrative.
Practical note
Some overseas ceremonies are symbolic and not legally valid. If you want the Bali ceremony to be your legal marriage, you must confirm local legal requirements early.
FAQ: Bali wedding cost from Singapore
Is a Bali wedding cheaper than a Singapore wedding?
It can be, especially if you keep the guest list small and the program simple. But it can also be more expensive if you choose villa buyouts, multi day events, premium decor, or cover guest travel. DBS highlights that costs vary widely and provides loose ballpark figures across venue types.
How much does a Bali wedding cost for a small group?
Some guides suggest small hotel weddings can land in the low thousands for the event side, but your total will change based on inclusions and travel. Use itemised quotes and compare like for like.
What is usually included in Bali wedding packages?
Common inclusions can cover ceremony set up, basic decor, coordination, and food packages, but the details vary by venue and upgrades are common. Always request an itemised inclusion list.
What hidden costs should I budget for in Bali?
Upgraded florals, added guests, additional event moments, vendor travel, and weather contingencies are common budget expanders.
Can Singapore couples do ROM in Singapore and celebrate in Bali?
Yes. Many couples legally register in Singapore, then have a symbolic ceremony and celebration overseas. If you choose this route, remember the minimum 21 day notice requirement for the Singapore marriage application timeline.
Do I need to register my overseas marriage with ROM Singapore?
In general, Singapore does not require you to register an overseas marriage with ROM for it to be recognised, and any registration is voluntary and administrative.
