With this ring, Al thee wed

Artificial intelligence is now part of the job for S'pore wedding planners, but they say it cannot replace the human touch

- Rhea Yasmine

Manna Weddings founder Belicia Tan uses ChatGPT to help her draft a wedding programme, which she then refines. ST PHOTO SHINTARO TAY

(SHINTARO TAY)

Whenever engaged couples came to her, wedding planner Belicia Tan used to think she would have to guide them through the A to Zs of making a fairy-tale wedding come true. But that was before artificial intelligence (AI) became big.

Now, most of those looking to tie the knot are approaching her with their big day already planned out, thanks to Al.

Planners The Straits Times spoke to say about 50 to 70 per cent of clients are now engaging them for coordination instead of planning services, compared with five years ago - before ChatGPT came about - when about 30 per cent of clients sought coordination services.

While wedding planning comprises everything - from coming up with the colour scheme to picking the vendors - wedding coordination deals only with events on the day, such as making sure the programme is followed to the minute.

With AI doing the planning, couples can fork out less money by opting for coordination packages. Checks by ST found that coordination packages range from about $2,000 to $3,500, less than half the price of planning, which costs between $7,500 and $10,000.

Planners have also adopted Al tools, which they say speed up their ability to carry out administrative and technical tasks.

While Al is not without its flaws - both planners and couples have noticed the tech has issues with accuracy, and lacks critical thinking and the ability to connect emotionally - planners say Al is here to stay.

EMBRACING THE CHANGE

When planning their wedding, Ms Hui Ting, 27, and Mr Shawn, 30, used ChatGPT to guide them on matters like Chinese wedding traditions and the wedding flow.