A wedding ang bao, 红包, is the red packet of money guests give the couple at a Chinese wedding dinner in Singapore. Unlike a New Year packet, which is a small blessing for a child, a wedding ang bao has a practical side too: it helps the couple pay for the banquet. That is why there is an unwritten “rate”, and why guests so often search for it before a wedding.
This guide explains how the amount is usually worked out, gives approximate ranges, and covers the etiquette. For New Year red packets, see our guide to ang bao.
How the amount is worked out
The common principle is simple: cover the cost of your seat, then add according to how close you are.
- The venue and the day set the base. A weekend dinner at a hotel costs the couple more per guest than a weekday lunch at a restaurant.
- Your closeness to the couple adds to it. Colleagues and acquaintances usually give around the cost of their seat; close friends and family give more.
- Your own means matter too. A student or someone early in their career is not expected to match a senior colleague.
Approximate ranges by venue
The figures below are rough guides per guest, based on typical banquet costs. Prices rise every year and vary widely between venues, so treat them as a starting point, not a published rate:
| Venue and time | Approximate range per guest |
|---|---|
| Restaurant, weekday lunch or dinner | S$100 to S$150 |
| Restaurant or mid-range hotel, weekend dinner | S$150 to S$200 |
| Premium hotel, weekend dinner | S$200 to S$300 or more |
| Church wedding or ROM with a light reception | Usually lower; give what feels right |
If you are unsure, ask a mutual friend what others are giving. It is a normal question in Singapore and saves second-guessing.
Lucky numbers
- Give an even amount, because a wedding is about a pair.
- Avoid four anywhere in the amount, since 四 sounds like death.
- Amounts with 8 (prosper) are popular, such as S$128, S$168, S$188 or S$288.
- Some guests choose amounts with 9 for “long-lasting”, such as S$199 or S$299. Customs vary, so an even amount is the safe choice.
Giving as a couple or a family
A couple attending together usually gives one packet that covers two seats, about double the single amount. Parents attending with children often give for the adults and add something for the children’s seats. Write your names clearly on the packet so the couple knows who it is from.
If you cannot attend
If you are invited but cannot go, it is still kind to send an ang bao, usually a smaller, token amount, since the couple is not paying for your seat. Give it before the wedding through a friend, or send it as an e-ang pao with a short message of congratulations.
Handing it over
Ang bao are usually handed in at the reception table when you arrive, where the couple’s friends record names and amounts. Hand it over with both hands and a word of congratulations. Do not put the money in a white envelope, which is for funerals.
The packet is one small part of a long sequence of wedding customs, from the betrothal gifts of guo da li to the tea ceremony, all explained in our guide to Chinese wedding customs. If you are the couple, our list of auspicious wedding dates for 2027 is a good place to begin.