Wedding Ang Bao Rates 2023 For Various Wedding Venues in Singapore

Everyone knows that wedding dinners in Singapore are expensive because of wedding ang bao rates. So we’re here to help you choose which wedding banquet to attend based on your budget in 2023.

Nothing like the sound of your phone buzzing like crazy to catch your attention, only to realise you’ve been added to a newly formed Whatsapp group. As you peek at the chat group’s name, you make out the word “Wedding” and it immediately dawns on you. One of your long-lost classmates is tying the knot, and the group chat is for soliciting RSVPs. 

After learning where the banquet will be held, you can’t help but think how big a hole the customary wedding ang bao will blow in your pocket. If you’ve ever been – or currently are – in this predicament, we’ve compiled a guide featuring hotel wedding banquets in Singapore 2023 and classified them according to estimated wedding ang bao rates in Singapore 2023 so that you don’t have to.

See also: Cost Guide to Weddings in Singapore (2023)

Table of contents

• Wedding ang bao rates for hotels
• Wedding ang bao rates for restaurants and other venues
• Wedding ang bao rates at Chinese weddings
• Wedding ang bao rates at Malay & Indian weddings
• What’s the right amount of wedding ang bao money to give?

Overview: Wedding Banquets and Wedding Ang Bao Rates in Singapore 2023

To preface, these wedding ang bao rates 2023 are inclusive of GST. These estimated rates are calculated based on cost per person based on a venue’s cheapest and most expensive package, factoring in the average table seating capacity of 10 guests.

Disclaimer: Figures are adapted from SingaporeBrides.com.

Wedding banquets and wedding ang bao rates for hotels in Singapore 2023

Among the hotel venues, Village Hotel Albert Court is the cheapest wedding ang bao rate coming in at S$70 for both lunch and dinner banquets. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, S.E.A Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa has the most expensive wedding ang bao rates ranging between S$320 to S$360. Moreover, they don’t serve any lunch banquets, only dinner banquets. 

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Wedding banquet and wedding ang bao rates for restaurant and other miscellaneous venues in Singapore 2023

For non-hotel venues, Ling Zhi Vegeterian at Liat Towers offers comparable ang bao rates between S$60 to S$90 for their lunch and dinner banquets. 

Meanwhile, 1-Atico is the priciest on the list, starting from S$210 for their weekday dinner banquets and between S$250 to S$260 for their weekend dinner banquets. They do not do lunch banquets.

In general, Saturday is the most popular day for wedding banquets. So based on that…

What are the average wedding ang bao rates for a typical Saturday wedding banquet?

But don’t let the pressure of typical wedding conventions get to you. Just because the majority of weddings are held on Saturdays (or Fridays) doesn’t mean that you have to follow. It all boils down to what you and your future spouse prefer, and also how big or how intimate you’d want your wedding banquet to be.

More often than not, several couples skip the wedding banquets altogether because they’d much rather apportion that money for more important purchases and investments like your BTO downpayment (and future mortgage) or buying a car.

How much are wedding ang baos at Chinese wedding?

Depending on the scale of the wedding festivities, the value of your ang bao will differ accordingly. In general, hotel wedding banquets at around S$1,500 per table will bump up your ang bao rates to around S$150 to S$180. 

Higher up the price ladder, wedding banquets at around S$2,000 per table will set you back further by S$200 to S$270 per wedding ang bao. And for more extravagant weddings, anything above S$2,000 per table will cost a hefty S$270 to S$350 per wedding ang bao.

Meanwhile, wedding ang bao rates for restaurant and miscellaneous venues would average between S$70 and S$150. Needless to say, restaurant wedding banquets are definitely easier on the pocket.

Auspicious figures to gift in your ang bao would be denomination values consisting of 8 like S$88, S$118, and S$128. Alternatively, whole numbers like S$150, S$180, and S$200 and others are perfectly fine too.

Just avoid giving any monetary value containing the number 4 because, in Mandarin and Cantonese, it sounds like the word for ‘death’.

How much are wedding ang baos at Malay or Indian weddings?

Although traditional Malay weddings are typically held at HDB void decks, don’t underestimate them. Their wedding banquets and ceremony can be just as extravagant as a luxury hotel’s package! Malay weddings are estimated to cost anywhere from S$30,000 onwards depending on the newlyweds’ budget.

For weekday lunches, the average banquet table costs around S$1,180 while weekend dinner tables would cost around S$1,340.

Similarly, red packets and monetary tokens are also acceptable gifts for Indian weddings. Knowing the right rates can be estimated based on the location of their wedding reception. A typical Indian wedding takes place at a temple, with a reception to follow (also at a temple). In other cases, the wedding reception might also be hosted at hotels. 

Whatever it is, your ang bao money should reflect the prestige of the venue and cost of meal per head accordingly.

For example, the Raffles Marina offers Indian cuisine wedding banquets at S$118.80++ per person (S$1188 per table). So for a guest list of 200 pax, that’ll total up to roughly S$24,000. 

If your budget allows, the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre features two extravagant ballrooms and the Maharajah Suite for a lavish wedding reception and banquet, capable of accommodating up to 270 guests. Their set lunch and dinners start from S$105++ and S$125++ per person (for 2024 weddings) respectively. Such higher-end weddings would cost from S$21,00++ and upwards.

Based on these rates, you can expect your contribution as a guest to hover between S$80 to S$150 at least. But in general, denominations ending in 1 such as S$81, S$101, S$201 are considered auspicious.

How to decide the right amount of ang bao money to give?

Coming to this conclusion will depend on a number of factors:

• How close are you to the bride and/or groom? If you’re not as close, you can probably get away with giving the bare minimum amount. However, if you’re considerably close, you’ll definitely need to give more.
• How are your personal finances like at that point in time? Is it better for that month? Or are you running low on cash?
• Are you concerned about ‘face’ or ‘reputation’? Don’t feel obligated to outcompete or feel embarrassed by giving lesser than another wedding guest. The amount you give is up to your own discretion and it’s between you and the newlyweds.

Weddings aren’t cheap, but they shouldn’t cost you a fortune

If you’re a soon-to-be newlywed reading this, we understand: weddings are by no means a cheap endeavour. They can burn a hole in your pocket just to achieve that one perfect day that you’ll remember for years to come. 

For some, it seems like a waste of money to spend on lavish wedding setups whereas, for others, the ceremony, reception and banquet are worth the expenditure because of the sentimentality attached to them.

Whatever the case may be, don’t let your wedding planning unnecessarily inhibit or detriment your savings for future big-ticket expenses. Opting for a wedding loan or utilising a handy unlimited cashback card or mileage card to foot all these pricey bills would help ease the financial burden a little.

Last updated on 5 September 2023. Prices listed here are estimates and subject to change without prior notice.

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