Couples face wedding chaos as illegal foreign vendors pull out

"When engaged couple Kevin and Rachel visited a local wedding fair to pick vendors for their ceremony, they chose a Taiwanese bridal studio because it offered the look they wanted at a relatively low price."

They paid S$4,888 for a package that included makeup and hair styling services, trusting the vendor would deliver as promised. But just days before their big day, the studio suddenly pulled out, leaving the couple in a panic.

"We were devastated," Kevin said. "We had already sent out our invitations, and everything was set. To have to scramble and find new vendors at the last minute was incredibly stressful."

Their story is not unique. An increasing number of Singaporean couples are facing similar nightmares as unregistered foreign vendors, often operating without the necessary work passes, abandon their commitments or disappear after receiving payments.

A local wedding photographer, who wished to remain anonymous, said the responsibility also lies with couples who hire foreigners to illegally work at their weddings.

"It's a common practice, and everyone knows it's happening," the photographer said. "People are drawn to the lower prices, but they don't think about the risks. When these vendors get into trouble or decide to leave, the couples are the ones who suffer."

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has issued advisories warning against hiring foreign freelancers without valid work passes, emphasizing that both employers and employees can face penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

Despite the warnings, the underground market continues to thrive, driven by demand for lower-cost services. Couples often turn to social media platforms and word-of-mouth recommendations to find these unregistered vendors, bypassing traditional channels where vetting is more stringent.

Industry experts say the chaos not only causes emotional distress for couples but also undermines legitimate local businesses that adhere to regulations.

"We're competing with an uneven playing field," said a manager at a well-established local event planning firm. "When clients can get a service for half the price from someone who doesn't pay taxes or follow labor laws, it's hard to compete. But when things go wrong, it's the professional firms that get called in to clean up the mess."

For couples like Kevin and Rachel, the lesson was learned the hard way. They managed to find replacement vendors at the last minute, but the experience cost them an additional S$2,000 and untold stress.

"We spent our entire wedding weekend worrying about whether the new vendors would show up," Rachel said. "Our special day was overshadowed by anxiety. We just want other couples to know that it's worth paying a little extra for peace of mind."

As the issue gains attention, there are growing calls for stricter checks and enforcement to protect consumers and level the playing field for legitimate businesses. Until then, couples are urged to exercise caution and ensure that any vendor they hire has the proper credentials and work passes.