Of venues and budgets

At Mariah & Sham, the word 'canvassing' is like a staple diet.

Although it can carry multiple meanings, we use it to describe that part of our styling process where we meticulously assess and prep up a venue

into a suitable 'canvas' for us to fill the accessories and details with.

For couples planning their big day,

we hence cant emphasize more, on the importance of a suitable venue.

With the right venue, less design intervention will be necessary, and the more likely for your budget to be spent on the finer details and floral works.

On the flipside, should a venue require much design intervention, a big portion of your budget may go into 'canvassing', leaving little money for floral works and fine details.

Futhermore, as the effect of canvassing is almost always subtle and likely intangible, the minimizing of details and accessories (that come with a compromised budget thereafter), will create a look that is seemingly (only seemingly) unsubstantial, unless of course you really have a good eye for design and appreciate the amount of good background canvassing done....without which, would make any amount of accessories and details look mediocre.

We strive to never overlook this process, because styling is not simply transplanting a cookie cut design onto a venue, using as many props possible, mindless of quality, to fill up or cover spaces. 

Having said that, looking for good venue is not easy in land scarce, 

expensive and rain prone Singapore. 

Most gorgeous venues are either too expensive or too small, 

and the standard priced bigger venues are sometimes too gawdy, too old or too uninspiring.

Nice big grand ballrooms are exorbitant, and open spaces will require erection of large expensive gazebos, unless one wants to take the chance against mother nature.

In looking for a suitable venue, you will need to understand your budget well.

You can still have a gorgeous and meaningful wedding with a non-extravagant budget. 

If you're the creative and crafty type, half the battle is won. 

But if you really need a planner, then you'll need to be realistic and dream within your means. 

Dont go around checking out all the gorgeous weddings around the web, and expect to have all the details and replicate the whole feel, unless you really want to spend substantially.

Personally, we've had enquiries from couples asking for styling that requires plenty of big fresh exorbitant floral works, an outstanding 'WOW' grand and big dais (stage), 200 chiavari chairs to accommodate 1000 guests, high quality props, customisation, personalisation and plenty of fine details, all in an 8k budget, for a venue requiring plenty of canvassing (read: that's cost) and design interventions. We can do all that, and we're still waiting for the opprtunity to flex our styling muscles for that, but honestly, we cant do it within that kind of budget because seriously, that is Tatler standard. So unless one is really wealthy, with enough cash to spare after all the philathropic works have been done, something's gotta give.

But if you're really into finesse and fine details but do not wish to splurge too much on your wedding, for perhaps a more luxurious honeymoon or maybe for future family-saving purposes, then go for an intimate celebration at a very nice small venue. The venue may be expensive, but because you're celebrating with only a small circle of special friends and relatives, the cost may still be affordable. 

In other words, while you're not exactly burning holes in your pocket, you're still splurging on a small number of few special guests. And with a good venue, the styling costs will most likely be lower, given the lesser canvassing works needed.

Another important thing to factor in is the mood you're trying to achieve.

Find a venue that can be easily crafted and canvassed to suit that mood. 

Otherwise, more costs will be incurred.

If you cant find that suitable venue, you can either pay your stylist exorbitantly to transform and create that look, or you can choose to change the theme to something more congruent to the venue.

At the end of the day, the most important thing in a wedding is still the marriage itself

...the coming of two souls and their families and friends. 

The beauty of marriage goes beyond just a day of celebration.

 If one can truly appreciate the love and warmth of the loved ones, 

and is willing to smile at all the imperfections, laughter and joy of that special day,

 then one will have the most beautiful wedding, 

with memories to last a lifetime.