In short
The Alkaff Mansion is a two-storey bungalow on Telok Blangah Hill that the National Library Board’s Infopedia dates to 1918, when it was built as a weekend house for a member of the Alkaff family. Today it runs as a dining and wedding venue, and its own weddings page lists indoor and outdoor spaces with stated capacities, an outdoor gazebo for solemnisation and indoor contingency arrangements for outdoor ceremonies. A civil solemnisation here follows ROM’s rules for an offsite ceremony.
- Infopedia records that the mansion became known for high society parties in the 1930s, and that in the 1990s couples exchanged vows outdoors under a marquee in its terraced gardens.
- The weddings page lists Level 1 indoor for 113 guests without specifying the seating arrangement, and seated capacities of 250 for Level 1 outdoor, 244 for Level 2 and 550 for The Grounds.
- The venue’s own pages give more than one set of capacity figures, so confirm the number for your configuration.
- The venue says indoor contingency arrangements are prepared for outdoor solemnisations, and that you may engage your own wedding vendors.
- Parking is complimentary at Telok Blangah Hill Park’s Carpark 1 and Carpark 2, which NParks lists at 17 and 43 car lots.
The mansion’s history
According to the National Library Board’s Infopedia article on the mansion, the mansion was built in 1918 by Syed Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Alkaff, a nephew of Syed Shaikh Alkaff, the first member of the family to arrive in Singapore, as a weekend house. It describes a two-storey Tudor-styled bungalow looking out towards Keppel Harbour, which was also known as Mount Washington and became widely known in the 1930s as a gathering place for notable members of society.
Infopedia records that the family sold the mansion after the Second World War; it later housed the World Buddhist Society’s headquarters, and in 1984 the land was acquired for a park. After a restoration it opened as a restaurant in 1990, and Infopedia notes that couples then exchanged vows outdoors under a marquee in its terraced gardens. The restaurant closed in 2003, and an Italian restaurant opened there in December 2011, when coloured glass windows and European-style fountains were added.
Infopedia adds that the Urban Redevelopment Authority gave the area conservation status on 9 June 2005, and that its guidelines require the mansion’s facade, including the canopy, porch, windows and balustrades, to be retained and restored in any redevelopment. The article describes broad stairways and fountains at the main entrance, a white stone balustrade and turrets on either side of the facade. The venue’s own wedding kit also notes the mansion’s 1930s reputation for high society parties.
Spaces and capacities the venue lists
The weddings page lists Level 1 indoor for 113 guests without specifying the seating arrangement, and seated capacities of 250 for Level 1 outdoor, 244 for Level 2 and 550 for The Grounds, which it describes as an open space a short stroll away with a private waterfall. The same page’s FAQ gives other figures by setup: 180 for the Level 2 main dining room with a stage, 226 for Level 2 main dining with the bar, lounge and a stage, and 352 for the full mansion across both levels. The venue’s downloadable wedding kit gives larger figures again for its reception and solemnisation courtyard and pavilion, of up to 700 seated or 1,000 standing. Ask the events team which figure applies to your date, guest list and layout.
The facilities listed include an outdoor courtyard, projector and screens, a sound and light system, a full-service bar, wireless microphones and an outdoor gazebo for solemnisation. The FAQ says wedding packages typically include four hours of event use, with extra time for early access, setup or after-parties available on request, and that lunch celebrations typically conclude by 2pm and dinner celebrations end at 10.30pm, with later dinner end times subject to availability.
A civil solemnisation here
For a civil marriage, a solemnisation here would be an offsite ceremony requiring the venue’s agreement, a licensed solemniser and completion of ROM’s application, declaration and marriage-licence requirements; offsite ceremonies may take place on weekends and public holidays. Coordinate the proposed venue, date and time with the venue and your licensed solemniser before finalising arrangements. ROM advises booking one three to six months ahead, and our guide to finding a solemniser covers how. Submit the marriage application no earlier than six months and at least 21 days before the solemnisation, and arrange two witnesses above 21.
If you would rather solemnise at one of ROM’s own sites, the room at The Esplanade Mall (as at September 2026) holds up to 20 people and the Ficus Room at Gardens by the Bay up to 40, including the couple and witnesses. Our guide to how ROM solemnisation works covers the full process, and our ROM and solemnisation photography page covers the ceremony itself.
Photography, vendors and rain
The venue’s FAQ says you are welcome to engage your own wedding vendors, such as florists, photographers or decorators, and that it also works with a selection of trusted partners familiar with the mansion. It welcomes personalised decor as long as it does not damage the venue, and asks to be consulted in advance about candles, hanging installations or similar setups so it can advise on safety requirements.
For rain, the FAQ says indoor contingency arrangements are prepared for outdoor solemnisations. Ask the events team which indoor space would be used and when that decision is made on the day, then agree the plan with your photographer; our wet-weather planning guide covers what to agree in advance. For portraits beyond the mansion’s grounds, check with the events team and NParks before planning a session in the surrounding park.
Arrival and parking
The venue’s directions page gives its address as 10 Telok Blangah Green, lists Telok Blangah MRT station on the Circle Line and several bus services, and states that parking is complimentary at Telok Blangah Hill Park’s Carpark 1 and Carpark 2. NParks’ page for the park lists Carpark 1 at 17 car lots and Carpark 2 at 43, with no parking fees, and places the park within the Southern Ridges.
Confirm drop-off points for the bridal car and vendor vehicles with the events team, and share the arrival plan with your photographer and videographer. Our wedding-day timeline guide covers how to build a run sheet around the ceremony, portraits and meal.
What to ask the events team
- Which capacity figure applies to your guest count and layout.
- Which indoor space would be used if rain affects an outdoor solemnisation, and when that call is made.
- When vendors can first reach the rooms, gazebo and grounds for setup.
- Whether your decor, including any candles or hanging installations, needs advance clearance.
- Where the bridal car and vendor vehicles should arrive and park.
Confirm spaces, capacities and timings with The Alkaff Mansion’s events team before you plan the day. If you would like to talk through coverage for a solemnisation and banquet here, check your date with us, or read more about our actual-day wedding photography.