Guide to Giving Money at a Hong Kong Wedding

In Hong Kong, giving a “lai see” (利是 / 红包) — a red envelope with money — is the standard gift at weddings. The amount you give is influenced by your relationship with the couple, the venue, and local customs.

1. Understanding Lai See Etiquette

Red envelopes symbolize luck and happiness. Red is an auspicious color representing prosperity.
Cash is expected. Unlike some Western weddings where physical gifts are common, hongbao or lai see is the traditional practice in Hong Kong.
Avoid unlucky numbers. Numbers like 4, 14, or 24 are avoided because the word for “four” sounds like “death” in Cantonese and Mandarin. Favor numbers ending with 6, 8, or other even numbers.
Use clean, crisp bills. Wrinkled or old bills are considered disrespectful.

2. How Much Money to Give

The amount largely depends on your relationship with the couple, how well you know them, and importantly, the type of banquet venue. Hong Kong weddings range from casual restaurants to luxury hotel ballrooms, and the cost of the banquet often reflects social expectations for hongbao amounts.

Relationship-Based Guide (in HKD)

Relationship	Typical Amount (HKD)	Notes
Close family (parents, siblings)	$3,000 – $10,000+	Often includes extra for travel or accommodation.
Close friends	$1,000 – $3,000	More if you are very close or traveling.
Colleagues / acquaintances	$500 – $1,500	Polite and respectable for work-related invites.
Distant relatives / neighbors	$500 – $1,000	Simple and respectful.

Banquet Location Factor

Luxury hotel ballroom: Expect higher costs per guest ($800–$1,500+ per plate). Give more generously (e.g., $2,000–$5,000+) to match the banquet’s scale.
Mid-range restaurant: Standard plates are around $500–$800 per person. Hongbao of $1,000–$2,000 is typical.
Casual or family-style venue: Smaller amounts are acceptable ($500–$1,000).

💡 Tip: Hong Kong guests often use the banquet cost per head as a reference point, aiming to “cover” the cost of their seat or slightly more as a gesture of goodwill.

3. Presentation Matters

Use a red envelope (lai see / 利是). Traditional envelopes are widely available in stationery stores or supermarkets.
Include the right amount in clean bills. Avoid folding excessively.
Hand it politely: Use both hands when giving it to the couple or their parents.
Do not seal the envelope too tightly. Easy for the couple to take out the money.

4. When and How to Give

At the reception entrance: Most Hong Kong weddings have a reception desk for collecting lai see.
Directly to the couple or parents: For small weddings, it’s acceptable to hand it personally with congratulations.
Include a short blessing: Phrases like “百年好合” (bǎi nián hǎo hé – wishing a long and happy marriage) or “早生貴子” (zǎo shēng guì zǐ – wishing them children soon) are common.

5. Additional Notes

Travel and accommodation: If you’re coming from out of town, consider giving a bit extra to offset expenses.
Round numbers or auspicious digits: 8 is lucky (prosperity), 6 is smooth progress. Avoid 4.
Luxury weddings: Don’t under-give at high-end banquets; social etiquette matters in Hong Kong culture.

Quick Reference

Use a red envelope.
Give an auspicious amount in HKD, reflecting relationship and venue.
Hand politely, preferably at the reception table.
Include a congratulatory phrase.
Avoid 4s and small, awkward numbers.
Adjust for banquet cost: more expensive venues → higher hongbao.

💡 Pro Tip: If attending a hotel wedding banquet, a common “rule of thumb” is roughly 1–1.5 times the per-head cost of the banquet. This ensures you’re culturally and socially aligned with expectations.