With most of our population vaccinated, many couples are looking for suitable wedding venues and solemnisation/reception packages to celebrate their big day this year. Hear our experienced wedding planners answer top burning questions that couples have and what they should look out for when holding their solemnisation and/or reception in 2022/2023 at a venue outside of the Registry of Marriage (ROM).

1. How many people can I invite to my solemnisation?
2. Can I remove my masks during the exchange of vows, to kiss and for photo-taking?
3. Can I engage vendors for my solemnisation and are they part of the guest limit?
4. Can food be served at solemnisation and/or reception?
5. Can I perform other cultural rites such as the tea ceremony during reception?
6. Do I need to conduct SafeEntry or temperature checks for my guests at the solemnisation venue?
7. What are the safe management measures to follow? What other wedding activities are allowed?

1. How many people can I invite to my solemnisation?

Planning for a wedding celebration is no small feat. Aside from ceremony details, couples have to be aware of current Safe Management Measures (SMMs) and take them into consideration. Here are some guidelines to take note of for a smooth-sailing wedding.

Solemnisation

For solemnisations taking place at a residential venue, from 29 March 2022, you may invite up to 10 visitors to the venue where the solemnisation is held. All attendees have to be fully vaccinated. This number excludes the solemniser and vendors. Organisers have to ensure that all attendees are fully vaccinated.

For solemnisations taking place at the ROM building, up to 16 fully vaccinated attendees are allowed. The bride and groom may be unmasked throughout home solemnisations but are required to undergo Antigen Rapid Test (ART) supervised by the venue operator. Otherwise, a face shield can be worn throughout the ceremony and removed during key moments.

Looking to host your solemnisation at external venues such as a hotel, church or outdoor venue?

Indoor venues with F&B served can take up to 1,000 attendees or 75% of venue capacity in groups of 10 with 1-metre safe distance between groups. Indoor venues without F&B served can take either 1,000 attendees or 75% of venue capacity.

Outdoor venues, with or without F&B options, have no limits on attendee capacity. Groups will have to keep to 10 attendees per group and 1-metre safe distancing between groups if masks are not worn.

All attendees are required to be fully vaccinated.

Perched atop the Iconic Glass Tower, the NOVA Room is dressed in floor-to-ceiling glass windows that offer panoramic views of the marina. This intimate and enchanting venue can accommodate up to 25 guests!

Reception

While wedding receptions are allowed at home with up to 10 visitors, and the ROM building, there is no capacity limit, subject to venue capacity limits, for receptions held at external venues.

Here at ONE°15 Marina, we specialise in beautiful, waterfront venues that are increasingly popular amongst couples looking to hold solemnisations at a unique venue. Check out our iconic NOVA Room, opulent Constellation Ballroom and alfresco Rooftop Terrace. For an unforgettable experience of a lifetime for you and your guests, charter a yacht and say “I do” on the waters.

Solemnisations can also take place on yachts with a maximum of 55 persons (subjected to the venue capacity of the yacht).

Looking for wedding venues or packages? Contact us for more information. 

The Constellation Ballrooms with a vast foyer that opens up to the marina presents the perfect choice for your reception. Richly decorated and conveniently located on the lobby level, the Constellation Ballrooms can hold up to 360 persons combined.

2. Can I remove my masks during the exchange of vows, to kiss and for photo-taking?

The answer is yes!

Bride and groom can be unmasked during marriage solemnisations or wedding receptions. The couple will simply have to undergo an ART supervised by the venue operator (in-person or virtually).

Couples have to maintain a 1-metre safe distance from event attendees when masks and face shields are removed.

All other guests must have their masks on indoors throughout the solemnisation/ reception and are encouraged to keep masks on when outdoors. Masks can be temporarily removed for photo-taking.

3. Can I engage vendors for my solemnisation and are they part of the guest limit?

Check that the vendor you wish to engage has obtained the necessary clearance to operate and they are compliant with prevailing national guidelines. Vendors include photographers, videographers and make-up artists.

Good news! Vendors do not count towards your guest list, so you can rest assured to only include the wedding couple and your guests. That said, it is still important that we keep the vendors to a minimum to reduce physical contact among guests and to practise safe distancing.

This exclusion also applies to the Licensed Solemniser and the interpreter (if any).

4. Can food be served at my solemnisation and/or reception?

From 29 March 2022 onwards, food and beverages can be served at solemnisation and/or reception ceremonies. Self-service buffets are still not allowed. Guests have to be served individual portions of food and beverages.

If food is served, all guests have to keep within group size of 10 and have 1 metre safe distance between groups.

5. Can I perform other cultural rites such as the tea ceremony during reception?

Yes, you can! Safe management measures apply the same for this such as no intermingling is allowed between the designated core group and other groups of guests.

For example, the tea ceremony can be held amongst the designated core group of 20 guests (including couple) as part of the reception, with safe management measures practised and adhered to.

6. Do I need to conduct SafeEntry or temperature checks for my guests at the solemnisation and/or venue?

Yes, it is mandatory to have your guests check-in and out via SafeEntry before they enter the ceremonial venue. The good news is that you can let the solemnisation venue take care of this if they already have SafeEntry systems in place.

If not, you will need to conduct SafeEntry for your guests.

ONE°15 Marina has been certified SG Clean and is compliant with all government-mandated safe management measures. All guests and vendors will be required to check-in via SafeEntry when they enter the Club. Hence, couples will not need to make any extra arrangements when holding their solemnisation/reception at ONE°15 Marina.

In addition, our wedding planner will help to ensure that the set-up for your solemnisation/reception is compliant with safe distancing measures. Hand sanitisers will also be provided on-site so that it’s easy for everyone to ensure clean hands and good personal hygiene.

7. What are the safe management measures to follow? What other wedding activities are allowed?

We understand how overwhelming it can be to note all the Safe Management Measures, so we have summarised and compiled them all in a list for you!

Safe Distancing

• From 29 March 2022 onwards, mask-wearing will be optional for all outdoor weddings. It will only be required for indoor weddings. 
• Guests at outdoor weddings have to keep to mandated group size and have at least 1 metre safe distance between each group.
• Masks can be removed momentarily for photo-taking but have to be worn immediately after.

Live performances

• Live performances such as singing, playing of wind instruments, and dancing are allowed for both solemnisation and receptions. 
• Performers have to adhere to 1-metre safe distance at any time when they are performing without their masks.

Buffet lines

• Buffet lines are allowed only with staff-served foodlines. Food has to be served individually or in packages. 

Fond farewells

• Couples can now bid their guests farewell after the ceremony outside the reception venue. 

Cocktail receptions

• If food and drinks are served during cocktail receptions, it will be considered a mask-off event. Guests have to stay within groups of 10 with 1-metre safe distance and no intermingling between groups. 

SafeEntry

• All guests must check-in and out via SafeEntry before entering and leaving the premises. The TraceTogether app must also be downloaded and activated during the ceremony

We hope this article has been useful in answering all your burning questions!

References
Registry of Marriage
Ministry of Health COVID-19 Guidelines and Updates
Marriage Solemnizations and Receptions

The current General Safe Management Measures guidelines are with effect from 29 March 2022. The guidelines may change, depending on how the COVID-19 situation evolves.