- Statistics show that couples' wedding budgets this year are 9% higher than last year, passing HK$400,000 for the first time.
- The average spend on the “wedding banquet” reached HK$170,000, the biggest increase of any wedding expense.
- The four big items of banquet, jewellery, honeymoon and wedding photography together make up 86% of the wedding budget.
- Marrying on a weekday in the traditional low season can save up to 20% of wedding costs.
A wedding in Hong Kong usually costs between HK$150,000 and HK$350,000. This article explains how to plan a wedding budget, with an Excel sheet example.
Wedding spending after the pandemic: bigger banquet bills and more tables
With pandemic controls fully lifted, statistics show that couples' wedding budgets this year are 9% higher than last year, passing HK$400,000 for the first time.
The “wedding banquet” is still the biggest item. Average spend jumped 15% on last year to HK$170,000, the biggest increase of any wedding expense.
This shows how much couples value the banquet, and that grand celebrations are gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Since December 2022, the limit on banquet guest numbers has been lifted, so couples planning a banquet no longer need to think about guests' vaccination status or whether they hold a vaccine pass.
| Last year | This year | |
|---|---|---|
| Average number of banquet tables | 16 tables | 19 tables |
| Groom's side | 8 tables | 10 tables |
| Bride's side | 8 tables | 9 tables |
This means banquets are back to their pre-pandemic size.
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Spending on wedding jewellery and honeymoons is rising steadily
Within the wedding budget, average spending on “wedding jewellery and rings” rose 5%, which suggests couples are more willing to invest in pieces with lasting meaning that hold their value.
With travel restrictions lifted, spending on the “honeymoon” rose 4%, and spending on “wedding photography” rose 8%.
The four big items of banquet, jewellery, honeymoon and wedding photography together make up 86% of the wedding budget.
Wedding budget cost list and Excel sheet
Every couple planning a wedding wants every expense to stay within budget. Rough budgets for each part of a wedding are as follows:
| Budget range | |
|---|---|
| Wedding photography | HK$22,000 to HK$50,000 |
| Wedding invitations | HK$1,000 to HK$2,000 |
| Betrothal gifts (guo da li) | HK$50,000 to HK$70,000 |
| Medical check-up | HK$1,500 to HK$5,000 |
| Wedding banquets | HK$150,000 to HK$250,000 |
| Outfits, make-up and rings | HK$90,000 to HK$120,000 |
| Photography and video | HK$12,000 to HK$18,000 |
| Solicitor-officiated marriage | HK$2,000 to HK$7,000 |
| Other expenses | About HK$10,000 |
| Honeymoon | HK$40,000 to HK$80,000 |
Choosing wedding photography
- If you want to shoot overseas, you need to budget separately for the photographer's and make-up artist's travel costs, and for gown rental and other expenses.
- There are many overseas photography packages on the market, but check carefully what is not included, to avoid unexpected extra costs.
Wedding invitations
- If you do not need anything personalised, ready-made invitations are relatively affordable.
- Many banquet venues also include a certain amount of printed material in their packages.
- If you want a special design or personal touches, you may need to hire a designer and allow for the cost of special paper and printing effects.
- If you are not handing them out yourself, you also need to allow for postage.
Preparing for traditional customs
- The betrothal gift ceremony of a Chinese wedding involves preparing gift baskets, fruit baskets, dried seafood and other gifts, as well as the gift money.
- Statistics show that the median gift money has risen in recent years to HK$50,000, so couples planning a Chinese wedding need to set more money aside for it.
A full medical check-up before marriage is not only for each other's health, it also shows responsibility towards future children. The cost depends on the tests you choose.
The banquet is one of the most expensive parts of a wedding. To control costs, you can consider a cocktail reception or a lunch banquet.
Couples who want to save on outfits can consider renting clothes or looking for suitable ones online.
Legal procedures and the marriage ceremony
- Registering at a Marriage Registry is relatively cheap, costing roughly a few thousand dollars.
- For more convenience, you can invite a solicitor to officiate. The fee may vary with the solicitor's reputation.
A photography team works hard from morning to night, and hiring a professional team to record the precious moments of the wedding is a must.
There are also small expenses on the wedding day, such as red packets and transport for relatives and friends. We suggest setting aside about HK$10,000 for these.
After the wedding preparations, newlyweds usually take a honeymoon to relax. If you plan to travel to places such as Europe, the cost may be higher.
Throughout the planning, couples can use a wedding budget Excel sheet to track every expense and keep all costs under control.
Here is an example wedding budget Excel sheet for reference:
More articles on improving your marriage:
- Tips for couples to communicate when you do not want to divorce or break up
- How couples can keep their marriage strong and prevent divorce
- The best ways to nurture a marriage in Hong Kong
Money-saving tips for wedding budget planning
The key to planning a wedding budget is to draw up a careful plan before you start preparing, and to say clearly where each part of the money will go.
This helps you avoid money slipping away for no reason, keeps total spending within a reasonable range, and spares you unnecessary financial stress.
Pick your date to cut costs
- Marrying on a weekday in the traditional low season, such as January, March, July, August or December, can save up to 20% of wedding costs.
- By contrast, a wedding in the peak season or on a festive date such as the New Year period will cost at least 50% more.
- Avoid the peak wedding months of May, September and October and special holidays. Choose non-holiday dates in January, March, July, August or December.
- If you are flexible about your date, consider a low-season wedding to save on your budget.
Choose bridal shops wisely to save on fitting fees
We suggest brides first look for bridal shops that do not charge a fitting fee and choose suitable styles there.
Then compare styles at shops that do charge. This avoids extra fitting fees and still helps you find the gown you love.
Choose your gown carefully to avoid waste
- We do not advise choosing a sample gown just because it looks cheap.
- Although the prices at a sample sale are tempting, there is no made-to-measure service, so the gown often needs extra alterations to fit. In the end it may not turn out as you hoped, and you waste time and money.
Get more from a convertible gown
- Choose a convertible gown whose long train can be removed to make a lighter style. One gown then suits different occasions, which is both practical and economical.
Mix real and artificial flowers
For wedding decoration, mixing real and artificial flowers not only saves money but is also more environmentally friendly, and still creates a dreamy atmosphere.
Where you register can save money
- Registering your marriage at a government Marriage Registry costs as little as HK$1,020. By comparison, hiring a solicitor to officiate costs well over HK$1,000.
- If your time and arrangements allow, registering at a Marriage Registry can save a considerable sum.
Look for deals at wedding expos
Go to wedding expos and look for a wedding package that suits you. Expos also let you compare suppliers' prices and services directly, so you get the best value for money.
Invest in a make-up trial to protect your wedding-day look
- When choosing a make-up artist, do not be tempted by a free trial.
Be careful with your wedding photo album
You do not need to overspend on custom wedding albums. Decide how many you need, and you can even consider making an album yourself, which saves money and is also meaningful.
Choose wedding shoes wisely to save on your budget
- For a bride wearing a long dress or a gown with a train, non-branded wedding shoes are a good-value choice.
- When the gown is long enough to cover the shoes, expensive branded shoes add nothing to the look, so consider spending less on shoes in your wedding budget.
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Tips for funding your wedding
The first task in funding a wedding is to decide where the money comes from. Ask yourselves whether you can afford the wedding on your own, or whether you need financial help from parents, relatives or friends.
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Decide where the money comes from
This decides how you set the budget that follows.
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Decide the total budget
Set a reasonable total budget that covers every wedding expense, from gown rental, venue hire and catering to the band, photography and video, and flower arrangements.
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Allocation strategy
Divide the total among the individual expenses by how important each one is. Venue hire and catering are usually the heaviest. Once allocated, check that the individual budgets add up to the total.
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Wedding budget management tools
A wedding budget Excel sheet shows clearly how each expense is allocated, and keeps your finances transparent and orderly while you prepare.
How can you make your marriage happier and prevent divorce?
Unhappiness in a marriage is sometimes down to both sides. To make your marriage happier, you can try the following:
- Communicate more: keep talking openly and honestly with your partner, share your feelings, thoughts and needs, understand theirs, and look for ways to solve problems together.
- Support each other: help your partner when they face difficulties and congratulate them on their achievements, to build trust and closeness
- Create good memories together: spend good time with your partner, such as planning trips, joining activities or holding family gatherings
- Keep respect and gratitude: respect your partner’s views and choices and show thanks for what they do, which helps protect each other’s dignity and self-esteem.
- Keep a balanced pace of life: arrange work and life sensibly so that you have enough time for each other. Proper rest and relaxation matter too.
- Keep the romance and closeness alive: hold regular dates or create romantic moments, such as giving gifts, writing love letters or arranging a special dinner
Seek professional help
- If you both find it hard to resolve your marriage problems, consider asking for help from a psychotherapist, a marriage counsellor or a legal professional.
More tips on the divorce procedure:
- Domestic violence in Hong Kong: definition, effects and where to get help
- How do I apply for a divorce?
- Divorce mediation in Hong Kong: the process and its benefits
- Spot the common mistakes in the divorce process, and do not let emotion take over
- What to know about affairs and infidelity in divorce in Hong Kong
Having trouble resolving problems in your marriage?
Get in touch, and a dedicated consultant will first understand your situation.
