10 Event Planner Red Flags Singaporeans Must Avoid

Booking an event planner in Singapore should feel like handing off a headache, not creating a new one. But with weddings easily costing $30,000 to $50,000 and corporate dinners running into five figures, a bad event planner doesn't just waste your time — it burns real money. We've heard the horror stories: deposits vanishing before Chinese New Year, no-show vendors on the actual wedding day, and planners who suddenly go 'MIA' after the down payment clears.

Here's what you need to know before you sign anything. Below are the 10 event planner red flags every Singaporean should watch for, plus what a legit planner does differently.

1. They Ask for 100% Payment Upfront

Legitimate event planners in Singapore typically structure payments in stages — usually 30% deposit, 40% mid-way, and 30% on completion, or similar milestone-based splits. If someone insists on full payment before any planning starts, that's a massive warning sign.

What a good planner does: Offers a clear payment schedule tied to deliverables (venue confirmed, vendors booked, final walkthrough), usually via invoice with GST registration number stated.

2. No Physical Address or Registered Business (ACRA)

Anyone can slap together an Instagram page and call themselves a wedding planner. Always check if the company is registered with ACRA (Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority) — it takes two minutes on the ACRA BizFile+ portal for a small fee. If they dodge questions about their UEN or