Singapore - The rise of online forums like Singapore Brides has transformed into a bustling marketplace for couples seeking to offload their wedding banquet bookings, driven by hefty cancellation fees imposed by hotels.

Posts offering significant discounts on lavish banquets at prestigious venues like The St. Regis Singapore and The Westin Singapore are becoming increasingly common. One such post advertised a 20% discount on a $44,200 banquet for 250 guests at The Westin Singapore's Grand Ballroom.

Couples facing unforeseen circumstances, such as changes in wedding plans, are resorting to these measures to mitigate the financial burden of cancellation fees, which can sometimes reach tens of thousands of dollars.

Stiff Penalties and Limited Flexibility

Wedding agreements reviewed by The Straits Times reveal a wide range of cancellation fees, typically ranging from 30% to 100% of the total banquet cost, depending on the proximity to the wedding date. For instance, The Westin Singapore imposes a 100% fee for cancellations within six months of the event.

While hotels maintain that these fees are industry standard, they acknowledge a degree of flexibility in certain cases. Waiving fees is often possible if a replacement couple is found, although some hotels, like InterContinental Singapore, still retain the fee even if a replacement booking is secured.

Real-Life Struggles and Legal Challenges

The impact of these fees can be significant. One couple faced a penalty of over $25,000 for cancelling their banquet at a five-star hotel more than a year in advance. Another couple, attempting to offload a $60,000 banquet at InterContinental Singapore, struggled to find a buyer and ultimately negotiated a conversion to a corporate event, still incurring a substantial cost.

Legal experts argue that these steep cancellation fees may be deemed unreasonable and unenforceable under Singapore law. Tang Jin Sheng, director of WhiteFern LLC, pointed out that such fees could be considered a deterrent to contract cancellation rather than a reasonable compensation for losses, especially with ample advance notice.

Chia Boon Teck of Chia Wong Chambers raised concerns about potential "profiteering" by hotels that successfully rebook the venue after a cancellation without incurring any loss.

Consumer Advocacy and Industry Response

The Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) has been vocal about these concerns, having previously singled out hotels for "unfair and excessive" cancellation policies. Case is currently investigating 49 complaints related to wedding banquet cancellations, primarily concerning postponements or cancellations due to personal reasons or COVID-19 restrictions.

While Case has engaged in discussions with the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA) to establish industry guidelines, SHA emphasizes that it cannot regulate individual hotel policies.