TL;DR:
Planning an event in Singapore? Here’s your honest breakdown of costs—venue, food, entertainment, production, and more. Learn how to allocate your budget wisely and where to save without sacrificing the experience.
1. Venue Rental: $2,000–$20,000+
Your venue choice can make or break your budget. Hotel ballrooms, rooftop spaces, and heritage sites all come with different pricing tiers. Want to save? Book on weekdays or during off-peak seasons. Also consider: is AV included? What’s the rental time limit?
2. Catering & Beverage: $50–$200 per person
From buffet to fine dining, food is a key emotional anchor. Costs vary based on cuisine, presentation (live stations vs plated), and whether drinks are included. Add $10–$30 per pax for open bars or cocktail packages.
3. AV, Lighting & Staging: $3,000–$8,000
Visuals matter. High-quality sound, lighting effects, LED walls, or livestream setups all add to your guest experience. Don’t cut corners here if you want your event to look and feel professional.
4. Talent & Entertainment: $1,000–$10,000
This includes emcees, DJs, bands, keynote speakers, or even dancers and magicians. Consider local talents to keep costs efficient, or go all out with celebrity appearances for impact.
5. Decor & Styling: $1,000–$7,000
Think florals, stage design, themed props, and signage. A consistent visual identity elevates your event and creates brand cohesion. Reusables and partnerships with rental vendors can help optimize spend.
6. Project Management/Agency Fee: 10–20% of Total Budget
Hiring a full-service planner like GO adds strategic value: vendor management, logistics, creative direction, and on-the-day troubleshooting. Often, agencies help save money by avoiding costly mistakes and negotiating better rates.
Sample Budget (100 pax, mid-range event):
- Venue: $6,000
- Catering: $10,000
- AV/Lighting: $5,000
- Entertainment: $2,000
- Decor: $2,000
- Planning Fee: $5,000 Total: ~$30,000–$35,000 SGD
About the Author
Stacy Wee, Co-Founder of GO Events. A passionate event strategist with a track record of delivering exceptional corporate events across Asia. Stacy has spent over a decade crafting experiences that resonate and leave a lasting impact.
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacywee/
Want to work with GO? https://form.typeform.com/to/PqXEaDTl
