Things to note

We have finally decided on a montage and first march in song!

Montage: Javier Colon feat. Natasha Beddingfield - As Long As We Got Love

First March In: K-CI & Jojo - All My Life

Songs that have yet to be decided on are the solemnisation song (to be played before I enter with my dad in hand) and the banquet playlist. I'll update again when I have a more complete list.

Usually COMPASS license of the song played in your wedding montage is covered by the videographer you have hired. But not for the other songs played publicly. Do check to see if your videographer has it covered in your agreement. You wouldn't want to be caught and charged $600 on your wedding day. :(

As for the other songs (banquet, solemnisation playlist), the venues you have booked (hotels or restaurants) have an album of songs which they already possess licenses for playing publicly. Do check with your banquet or solemnisation venue on the songs they have. Should they not have the songs you want, you may burn the songs into a CD but do bring along the originals. I wouldn't risk it on my big day.

While we're on this, some venues are more "stingy" with lending their audio and video equipments. These lead to hidden costs if you're not aware of it. I have seen cases of when a banquet hall actually has 2 projectors but have only stated 1 projector to be used for FREE in your agreement. Be very sure and specific when going through the agreement with your banquet coordinator.

Things I asked for my banquet:
1) Usage of ALL projectors/screens
2) Usage of audio equipments
3) Reserved tables (You'll never know how many people are not gonna turn up at the very last minute)
4) Choice of flowers and decorations (They usually have themes you can pick from)
5) Children to be allowed to squeeze in with their parents without being charged as an additional head count
6) 2 Mixes of a dish to be allowed, half spicy, the other non-spicy for the crowd. Especially when my father and brother can't take any spicyness.
7) Helpers room
8) Discounted rates for additional rooms
9) Corkage waiver (This is another hidden cost if you're not careful)
10) Complimentary parking coupons
11) Use of their angbao boxes
12) Food tasting, any choice of day and time (Some only allow weekdays/lunch time)
13) 2 Nights of stay for the bride and groom
14) Food be served to our room after everything's over
15) 2 VIP lots
16) Free usage of function room for solemnisation
17) Printing of wedding poster
18) Red carpet (Some venues actually charge you for this!)
19) Rehearsal
20) Early check-in
21) Late check-out
22) Breakfast in bed the following day
23) Credit card promotions (I'll cover more on this later)
24) Canapes and drinks to be served during reception (Some charge a whooping $42 per platter of 10 canapes. That's daylight robbery!) Do check if they allow external caterers for that.

Some credit card promotions are valid for payment of the down payment while others, require you to pay the entire banquet cost with a certain credit card. I was lucky enough to get a good deal. I only paid my downpayment with UOB card and am paying the remainder with Standard Chartered Manhattan World.

(I can't believe I'm advertising this even though they've pissed me off with a big mix up in my credit card application. Still pissed but hey, at least they've corrected it.)

Let me do the math for you. You may receive maximum $200 rebate per quarter for a minimum sum of $3000 charged to your card a month. (That's capped at 5%, $200 per quarter when you meet $3000 in expenditure in a month)

Lets say each banquet table costs $1000 after all prevailing taxes and service charges, 30 tables in total.

Total cost: $1,000 x 30 tables = $30,000

And you've already paid $5000 for down payment upon booking your banquet.

After downpayment: $30,000 - $5,000 = $25,000

Your HTB and you both sign up for Manhattan World. That makes you eligible for $400 in total rebates per quarter. If you start paying 1 year in advance (some venues allow accumulated payments before your big day), that makes it $200 x 4 quarters per year x 2 credit cards = $1,600.

After rebates: $30,000 - $1,600 = $28,400

Average cost per table: $28,400 / 30 tables = $946.67

While these calculations apply to mine, it may not necessarily apply to all venues. Please check with Standard Chartered and your banquet coordinator for best payment method. :)

Hope these information helps!