# How Much Cash Should You Give at a Korean Wedding in 2026?

- URL: https://hallyu-brief.vercel.app/en/news/korean-wedding-cash-gift-amount-2026-guide-200cbd
- Published: 2026-10-15T15:55:39.809Z
- Publisher: Hallyu Brief

> In 2026, many Koreans are debating whether a wedding cash gift should be ₩50,000 or ₩100,000. Rising meal costs at Seoul wedding halls have pushed the question into everyday conversation. Here is what the numbers show and why the debate matters.

## Key points

1. Average Seoul wedding meal costs rose 51.4% from 2021 to 2026, reaching about ₩75,320 per guest.
2. Some engaged couples say they need at least ₩100,000 per guest to avoid losing money.
3. Only about 16.7% of wedding service businesses had registered prices on the government price-disclosure service.

## How much is the typical cash gift?

There is no official amount, and the answer depends on your relationship and budget. According to Segye Ilbo, the debate in 2026 centers on ₩50,000 versus ₩100,000. The paper reported that average meal costs at major Seoul wedding halls have climbed to roughly ₩70,000 to ₩100,000 per guest.

## Why is the meal cost the main reference?

Many Koreans treat the cash gift as partly covering the cost of the meal the guest eats. Segye Ilbo analyzed five major Seoul wedding halls and found average meal costs rose from ₩49,740 in 2021 to ₩75,320 in 2026, a 51.4% increase. When a meal costs about ₩75,000, a ₩50,000 gift can feel too low to some people, while others see it as a normal amount.

## What are Koreans arguing about?

Online communities and anonymous workplace boards continue to argue weekly over the amount. One side says a gift should at least cover the meal so the guest is not a burden to the couple. The other side says the gift has turned into a transaction and has lost its meaning as a blessing. Some guests now attend without eating, or only send money by bank transfer.

## What is the government doing?

President Lee Jae-myung pledged in May 2025 to end unfair wedding demands and make studio, dress, and makeup package prices transparent. The Fair Trade Commission revised its labeling rules in November 2025, requiring wedding firms and halls to disclose prices publicly. Segye Ilbo reported that only about 16.7% of roughly 1,500 wedding service businesses had registered on the Korea Consumer Agency's price-disclosure service, and that no notable fines had been imposed yet.

## For international fans

If you are a foreign guest, the safest approach is to ask a Korean friend or colleague what is customary for your relationship with the couple. Cash is usually placed in a card envelope at the reception desk. Bank transfers are also common, especially when people cannot attend. Because prices and customs shift, check current guidance with a Korean friend before you go.

## FAQ

### Is ₩50,000 enough for a Korean wedding gift?

It depends on your relationship with the couple. According to Segye Ilbo, some Koreans see ₩50,000 as too low now that meal costs are about ₩75,000 per guest, while others consider it normal.

### Why do Koreans say ₩100,000 is the amount to give?

Some engaged couples told Segye Ilbo that they would need about ₩100,000 per guest to avoid a financial loss after wedding hall meal costs rose.

### Can you send a wedding gift by bank transfer in Korea?

Yes, the Segye Ilbo report says some guests now skip the meal and send their gift by bank transfer, which has become more common.

## Sources

- [Segye Ilbo](https://segye.com/newsView/20260814517571)

_Written and translated with AI from official announcements and Korean media reports. If something is wrong, please let us know._