Wedding Ang Bao Rates 2026: How Much Should You Give?
2026-02-24

Not sure how much to put in your wedding ang bao in Singapore for 2026? This guide gives you a clear, quick answer upfront, followed by updated wedding ang bao rates, lucky numbers, and practical tips based on how close you are to the couple.

Just received a wedding invitation and don’t know where to start? Before you stress over ang bao amounts, we’ll walk you through exactly how much you should give in 2026, then break it down by venue type and wedding format.

How Much Should You Give for a Wedding Ang Bao in 2026?

If you’re attending a wedding in Singapore in 2026, most guests give around SGD 120 to SGD 350. The exact amount depends on the venue and how close you are to the couple.

If you just want a quick answer, this table covers what most guests give in 2026.

Discover more: Wedding Ang Bao Wishes in Singapore: What to Write on a Red Packet

A quick guide to wedding ang bao amounts in Singapore (2026)

Before you scroll down to the long venue lists, here’s a simple way to figure out what makes sense for you.

How close are you to the couple?

This matters more than most people think.

• Colleagues or acquaintances:  Matching the estimated cost of your seat is perfectly acceptable and very common.
• Good friends: Many guests add about 20% more on top of the base amount as a warm, congratulatory gesture.
• Close family or inner circle: If you’re comfortable, it’s normal to give above the usual rate. For many, this feels more like supporting the couple than “paying for a seat”.
• Can’t attend but still want to send your wishes?
  An ang bao of SGD 20 to 100 is generally fine, depending on how close you are.

A quick cultural sense check

Before sealing the red packet, most people run through this mental checklist:

• Amounts ending in 8 are popular (e.g. $88, $168, $288) because they’re associated with prosperity
• Even numbers are preferred, as they symbolise harmony
• Avoid 4, which sounds like “death” in Chinese culture

There isn’t a single “correct” amount.

Wedding ang bao is about showing up, sharing the couple’s joy, and giving within your means, not keeping up with other guests or stressing over exact figures.

When in doubt, remember that your presence and genuine happiness for the couple matter far more than whether you gave $88 or $128.

Let's Talk Numbers: Wedding Ang Bao Rates 2026

Now that you have a general idea of how much to give, let’s look at the numbers in more detail.

The ang bao ranges below are based on average wedding banquet prices across Singapore venues in 2026, grouped by venue type to make them easier to compare. All figures are rounded and meant as practical guidelines, not fixed rules.

Hotels & Wedding Ballrooms

This section covers mainstream hotels and purpose-built wedding ballrooms, the most common wedding venues in Singapore.

You’ll find:

• City hotels, airport hotels, and resort hotels
• Large ballroom weddings with traditional banquet setups
• Venues that typically host 200–400 guests

If you’re attending a wedding at a hotel ballroom, matching (or slightly exceeding) the estimated per-person cost here is generally considered polite and safe.

Luxury & Iconic Wedding Venues

These venues sit at the top tier of Singapore wedding locations, often chosen for prestige, exclusivity, or once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

This includes:

• Ultra-luxury hotels and heritage icons
• Destination-style and high-end resort venues
• Venues with premium menus, views, or branding

Ang bao expectations here are usually higher than average. If the couple is close to you, guests often give above the base rate as a gesture of support and celebration.

Restaurants, Clubs & Alternative Wedding Venues

Not all weddings happen in hotels. This section covers non-traditional or alternative wedding venues, which are increasingly popular in Singapore.

You’ll find:

• Chinese restaurants and restaurant chains
• Country clubs, yacht clubs, and private clubs
• Gardens, heritage houses, rooftops, breweries, and lifestyle venues

These venues often have wider price ranges. Ang bao amounts here are usually more flexible, so use the table as a reference rather than a strict rule.

Please note: The rates in this guide reflect general market trends at time of publication. Venue pricing fluctuates throughout the year, and your final amount should always depend on your personal budget and relationship with the couple.

Additionally, if the wedding falls on an auspicious date, a public holiday, or the eve of one, expect higher costs.

Always use these figures as a guide rather than a strict rule.

The Meaning and Customs Behind Wedding Ang Baos

Giving wedding ang baos is, of course, tradition. But it's also a meaningful way to express your blessings while supporting the couple's new chapter together. The red packet serves a dual purpose: conveying good wishes and contributing towards the wedding expenses.

As for etiquette, there are three things you should remember:

1. Write your name clearly on the envelope's exterior, as this helps the couple properly thank their guests later.
2. Present your ang bao at the registration table when you arrive. For casual or intimate gatherings, handing it directly to the bride or groom is perfectly acceptable.
3. Always use fresh, uncreased banknotes when possible, and ensure you have the exact amount prepared.

Tea Ceremony Ang Bao in Singapore Weddings (How It’s Different from Wedding Banquets)

By now, you probably have a clear idea of how wedding ang bao amounts work — especially for hotel banquets and dinner receptions.

However, many weddings in Singapore also include another tradition that often causes confusion for guests: the tea ceremony. While both involve giving ang baos, tea ceremony ang baos follow a very different logic from wedding banquet ang baos and are not meant to replace each other.

Unlike banquet ang baos, tea ceremony ang baos are not intended to cover venue or meal costs. Instead, they symbolise blessings, respect, and goodwill, particularly from elders and close family members.

Who Gives Ang Bao During the Tea Ceremony — and How Much Is Common in 2026?

Tea ceremony ang baos are usually given by family members who actively take part in the ritual, rather than general wedding guests. This includes parents, grandparents, and senior relatives who are formally served tea during the ceremony.

Because of this, tea ceremony ang baos are role-based, not attendance-based. The amount given depends more on family position and seniority than on the wedding venue or overall banquet cost.

For 2026, these are commonly seen tea ceremony ang bao ranges in Singapore:

A few things to keep in mind: 

• Even numbers and auspicious figures, especially amounts ending in 8, are preferred 
• Parents often give higher amounts as a symbolic gesture of support 
• More traditional families may give amounts above these ranges 

These figures are meant as practical references, not fixed rules. Family customs and relationships always come first.

Tea Ceremony Ang Bao vs Wedding Banquet Ang Bao: Key Differences & Etiquette

This is one of the most common sources of confusion for guests attending Singapore weddings. At a glance, the key difference is this:

• Tea ceremony ang bao: Symbolic and relationship-based, focused on blessings, respect, and family hierarchy
• Wedding banquet ang bao: Cost-based, often linked to the venue’s per-person price and the overall wedding dinner

Because they serve different purposes, the two should not be combined or treated as interchangeable.

A few important etiquette points to keep in mind:

• Tea ceremony ang baos should not be added to your wedding banquet ang bao
• Odd numbers are generally avoided, unless a specific family tradition says otherwise
• Always follow the customs and expectations of both the bride’s and groom’s families

Keeping this distinction clear helps you give appropriately, without overthinking or feeling pressured to over-give.

FAQ

Do wedding ang bao rates increase every year in Singapore?

Yes, wedding ang bao rates in Singapore generally increase over time, but usually in small, gradual steps. This reflects rising banquet prices, inflation, and higher venue costs — especially at hotels and luxury venues. Most guests adjust their ang bao slightly rather than making big jumps year to year.

Should I match the hotel table cost exactly?

No. The table cost is a guideline, not a strict rule.

Matching it is considered polite, but being slightly under or over is usually acceptable, depending on your relationship with the couple and your circumstances.

Are lunch weddings cheaper in terms of ang bao?

Usually, yes.

Lunch weddings tend to have lower banquet costs, so ang bao expectations are generally lower as well. However, venue type still matters — a luxury hotel lunch may cost more than a casual dinner elsewhere.

How much should I give if I can’t attend the wedding?

You don’t need to give the full banquet rate.

Most guests give a smaller, symbolic ang bao based on how close they are to the couple, typically ranging from $50 to $150 for acquaintances, and more for close friends or family.

Do I need to give both a tea ceremony ang bao and a banquet ang bao?

Only if you’re directly involved in the tea ceremony.

Tea ceremony ang baos are usually given by close family members, while regular guests typically only give a banquet ang bao.

Need wedding planning insights? Check out our wedding banquet price list and other wedding guides to stay up to date on the latest trends and traditions.

While you’re at it, check out our guide on Chinese Wedding traditions.

Note: All images are from Pexels.