There’s nothing wrong with hotel weddings. They follow a routine template, are fuss-free, and rarely have any unpleasant surprises. But the same characteristics that make them great are also the reasons many couples now are going out of the box.
From destination weddings to a literal rave in a warehouse, couples now want to throw a wedding that speaks to both of their personalities. That’s where The Wedding Sensory (TWS), powered by Creative Eateries, comes in. A digital lifestyle platform that brings together some of the best talents and vendors in Singapore’s wedding industry, TWS takes the planning out of your hands so that you can focus on the most important thing—looking your best.
TWS focuses on six pillars—taste, sight, sound, memory, touch and even scent—to curate the wedding. Food is a core component of any event, let alone a wedding. TWS has a selection of menus that include everything from canapes to a buffet and grazing tables, depending on what you’re looking for. From fine dining selections such as foie gras and lobster to Singaporean favourites like rendang and laksa, TWS has pulled out all the stops.
Beyond food, the other pillars are just as important. While sight (visuals and branding) and sound (from a preset playlist to a live band) are self-explanatory, the remaining three pillars are the final touches that elevate a wedding. For touch, TWS can create a physical manifestation of the gratitude, love and blessings at the wedding as a memento. Scent deepens the connection between a newly wedded couple, thanks to the bespoke smell being created. As for memory, couples can immortalise their wedding day with a non-fungible token, or NFT.
Each pillar at TWS features the curated vendors, which make up The Collective. We chatted with four of TWS’s vendors—Lily & Co., The Proposal, Create Your Story, and Bob The Baker Boy—on their tips for the big day.
Lily & co.
Founded by two ladies in 2017 with a passion for beautiful weddings and event planning, Lily & Co. specialises in bespoke wedding decor and event design. Six years on, the company’s team of event stylists have worked on hundreds of weddings and seen trends come and go.
For 2023, the founders are seeing bold colours such as toffee, caramel, maroon and emerald green becoming more prominent in weddings. “The march-in aisle is becoming the main focal point of weddings. We have seen an increase in couples looking for aisle styling,” the co-founders share. Elements such as florals, candles and reflective mirrors have become common decorative items along the aisle.
Still, Lily & Co. advises couples not to get sucked in to trends, and to seek inspiration from different places. They recommend compiling photos that resonate with their dream wedding so that the planer can start conceptualising.
“Also, communicate a budget range that would work best for you to us. Trust the process. We can recommend ideas and design concepts that fit within your range. There are plenty of decor and design options we can explore to achieve your envisioned wedding ambience and aesthetic.”
The Proposal
Specialising in gowns for the fashion-conscious bride, The Proposal opened in 2015 at Millenia Walk before moving to its current location at Capitol Piazza in 2016. According to director Lee Chern San, the most important thing is to have photos of your favourite brands and silhouettes and a ready budget. “Then, make your appointment and go with an open mind,” Lee continues.
The latter is important, as you might discover a plethora of gowns available in original designs and silhouettes that never crossed your mind. You’ll probably even find them at The Proposal, the authorised retailer for multiple international brands, including Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera and more.
Create Your Story
Daniela Erni likes to say that she created her story long before she officially founded Create Your Story. “I supported friends and friends of friends with weddings for a long time. I was the go-to person for any event-related question due to my expertise in exclusive events,” the wedding planner says.
Two years ago, during the throes of the pandemic, Daniela founded Create Your Story in Singapore and worked on small and intimate local weddings. With borders reopened, she’s now expanded to bigger celebrations and international destination wedding experiences.
Daniela is deeply passionate about weddings. Her mantra for couples: be the VIP guests at your wedding. “They can count on our team to hold their hands throughout the planning process, filling it with compassion and love for details. Then, they can lean back and have a wonderful time.”
For couples planning their own wedding, Daniela highly recommends them to celebrate their own personalities, culture and values. A cookie-cutter wedding is forgettable. Instead, she pushes for couples to incorporate unconventional elements and stay true to their vision. That’s when your own story is created.
Bob The Baker Boy
A home baker turned superstar baker known for her outrageously creative works, Mayee Fong now oversees a team of bakers for Bob The Baker Boy. Most weddings have a faux cake that’s only there for the cake cutting ceremony. But Fong’s creations are worth every penny. For a wedding welcoming between a hundred to 200 people, Fong recommends a budget of $800 for a three-tier cake with fresh flowers and buttercream. “Full fondant cakes are more intricate and will probably cost upwards of four digits,” she says.
A little-known tip: Fong suggests finding a baker that offers customer service past 6pm for peace of mind. That’s why Bob The Baker Boy offers support from 8am to midnight in case couples need help with anything urgent. “They can trust us on their celebrations,” says Fong.
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These small touches elevate a wedding from good to great, which is why TWS works with them for their clients. You can expect bespoke, immaculate service from the rest of TWS’s talents, all of whom are wedding veterans.
