When you think of having your ROM in Singapore, the Registry of Marriages at Esplanade is probably the first place that comes to mind. But your solemnisation doesn't actually have to happen at ROM itself.
If a short ceremony followed by rushing everyone somewhere else for lunch sounds too transactional and not something for you, another option is to bring the solemnisation to a place you already want to celebrate at. Whether that's a restaurant, hotel, garden or even your home. Plus point is your experience would be so different from your peers! If you are not someone who likes to follow the Singapore dreams/pipeline, this is a good alternative for you.
If solemnisation means more than just a procedure to you, an external venue would definitely feel more intimate.
There's something we really like about restaurant solemnisations. There isn't a hard divide between getting married and celebrating getting married.
Your closest family and friends arrive, you say your vows, sign the papers, hug everyone. Instead of immediately packing up and travelling somewhere else, everyone simply sits down together for lunch or dinner.
What to look out for when choosing a venue
1. Lots of Natural Light
Look for a room with large windows, glass doors or plenty of daylight coming in from more than one direction. Natural light tends to be softer and more flattering, especially for skin tones.
Big plus: windows on multiple sides of the room.
2. Look up, the ceiling matters too
This is something couples understandably overlook.
You might love the tables and décor at eye level, but your photos can still end up showing:
- exposed pipes
- industrial ceiling panels
- distracting air-conditioning units
- exit signs
- large speakers
- very low ceilings
None of these automatically make a venue unsuitable, but it is worth asking yourself:
“Would I be happy seeing this in the background of my ceremony photos?”
A clean ceiling or one that complements the design of the space gives your photographer far more freedom when composing wider shots.
3. Check the Overall Colour Palette
If your moodboard is soft, airy and romantic, a room with warm timber, cream walls and greenery would likely compliment it beautifully.
If your moodboard is more modern, editorial and minimalist, you might prefer neutral stones, white walls and cleaner architecture.
If you are unsure, your photographer would always be a good point of reference. Book a consult with your photographer to understand what set up would look best with your moodboard
4. Find a spot offering outdoor venues
This would give you more variations in the type of photos that you would receive from the photographer.
After the solemnisation lunch or dinner, everyone can head on out to capture some beautiful photos to remember the day by. Find a ROM photographer who would be able to guide your guests and help them pose along the session so you would have photos to remember this day by for a life time!
Finding Your Perfect Venue
If you are still deciding on your unconventional ROM venue, wondering if a space would photograph well and if it would look good in pictures, feel free to reach out to us (Kai and Xin) through our enquiry form and we would be more than happy to offer help you think through these details that would be otherwise forgotten.