The Complete Guide to Giving Money at Hong Kong Weddings - Magenta Florist - 香港花店 - 送花訂花

In Hong Kong, weddings are joyous celebrations steeped in tradition and modern influences. One of the most important customs is giving cash gifts in red envelopes (利是, lai see) rather than physical presents. Understanding how much to give—and how to present it—shows respect for the couple, their families, and Hong Kong’s rich wedding traditions.

This guide covers everything from the cultural background to practical amounts by relationship, plus etiquette and lucky-number considerations.

1. Cultural Background

In Hong Kong, red envelopes are considered a symbol of good luck, happiness, and prosperity. The practice comes from traditional Chinese culture, where red is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring joy. At weddings, the cash gift has dual purposes:

Covering your banquet attendance – Wedding banquets can be expensive, often $400–$1,000 HKD per head or more, depending on the venue.
Expressing goodwill and blessings – The amount shows your generosity, relationship closeness, and respect.

Key points to remember:

Always use red envelopes; avoid white or black as they are associated with mourning.
Giving physical gifts (like household items) is becoming less common in Hong Kong, especially in urban areas. Cash is preferred.
Odd amounts are sometimes considered lucky for celebrations, but weddings usually favor even multiples of 100, with “8” considered especially auspicious.

2. Determining How Much to Give

The amount of money to give is influenced by three main factors:

A. Relationship to the couple

Your closeness largely determines generosity:

Immediate family: Parents, siblings, or children of the couple usually give the most.
Extended family: Cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews.
Friends: Longtime friends may give moderately, acquaintances less.
Work colleagues / social acquaintances: Polite but modest amounts.

B. Cost of attending the wedding

Many Hong Kong wedding banquets are held in high-end hotels or restaurants. A cash gift should at least cover your seat, so you’re not seen as under-gifting.

C. Social norms and lucky numbers

Chinese culture places strong emphasis on numbers:

Avoid the number 4 (sounds like “death” in Cantonese).
8 and 6 are lucky (prosperity and smoothness).
Common amounts include: 800, 888, 1,688, 2,088, 3,888, etc.
Round numbers like multiples of 100 are standard for weddings.

3. Typical Amounts by Relationship

Here’s a detailed breakdown of typical cash gifts:

Relationship	Suggested Amount (HKD)	Notes & Tips
Close family (siblings, parents, very close relatives)	2,000 – 10,000+	Very generous; often includes multiple thousands. Can include a special note or blessing. Sometimes parents may give even more if the wedding is very formal.
Extended family (cousins, uncles, aunts)	1,000 – 3,000	Covers banquet and shows respect. Adjust depending on age and closeness.
Close friends	800 – 2,000	Amount depends on financial capacity and closeness. Giving in lucky-number combinations (like 888) is common.
Work colleagues / acquaintances	500 – 1,000	Polite token; adjust if attending as a couple. Sometimes a smaller gift is acceptable if work connections are distant.

Couples attending together:

Typically, double the amount. For instance, friends giving 1,000 HKD individually may give 2,000 HKD as a couple.
Family members sometimes increase their gift proportionally if attending with a spouse.

4. Practical Examples of Red Envelope Amounts

To make it easier, here are some real-world examples:

Friend attending solo: 800–1,000 HKD
Friend attending with partner: 1,600–2,000 HKD
Cousin attending: 1,000–2,000 HKD
Sibling attending: 3,000–10,000 HKD
Close family, large formal wedding: 10,000+ HKD

Lucky combinations:

888 HKD → triple prosperity
1,688 HKD → one wealth, smooth progress
2,088 HKD → double prosperity, smooth life
3,888 HKD → triple prosperity, especially for very close friends or extended family

5. Presentation Tips

Presentation is as important as the amount. Follow these best practices:

Use a red envelope (利是, lai see)
- Red signifies happiness and good luck.
- Decorative envelopes with gold designs or the couple’s initials are common.
Include crisp, new bills
- Folded neatly, facing the same direction. Old or wrinkled bills are considered disrespectful.
Write names or short blessings (optional)
- For formal weddings, a short note with best wishes can be included.
Hand over at the reception
- There’s usually a gift table near the entrance. Do not hand it directly to the couple at the banquet.

6. Special Considerations

Destination or small/private weddings: Adjust amounts downward if the guest list is very small or travel costs are high.
Online transfers or cash gifts via apps: Some modern couples may accept digital transfers; check beforehand.
Multiple envelopes: Rarely, for very large gifts, people may use more than one envelope with smaller denominations to make the presentation look neat and celebratory.
Avoid unlucky numbers: 4, 14, 24, etc.
Avoid fractional amounts – stick to whole HKD numbers, preferably rounded to hundreds.

7. Summary Rule of Thumb

For a typical Hong Kong wedding banquet:

Friends & colleagues: 500–2,000 HKD
Extended family: 1,000–3,000 HKD
Close family: 2,000–10,000+ HKD

Lucky-number tip: Incorporate 8 or 6 whenever possible. Avoid 4.

Key principles:

Generosity should match your closeness to the couple.
Cover your own banquet costs at minimum.
Respect cultural norms, numbers, and presentation.
Always use a red envelope with crisp bills.

Following these guidelines ensures your gift is thoughtful, appropriate, and culturally sensitive. It shows respect for both the couple and Hong Kong wedding traditions.