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How many hong baos couples need to prepare on their wedding day?
July 17, 2026 · Updated July 17, 2026
Learn who should receive a wedding ang bao in Singapore. From bridesmaids and solemnisers to gatecrash games, here's who couples should prepare for.
Who Should Couples Prepare Wedding Ang Baos For?
Wedding planning comes with countless checklists, but one detail that's often left until the last minute is preparing your wedding day ang baos. Unlike the ang bao your guests give you, these red packets are prepared by the couple as a gesture of appreciation for the people who help make your wedding possible. Some are rooted in Chinese wedding traditions, while others are simply thoughtful ways to thank friends, family, and volunteers. If you're wondering who should receive a wedding ang bao, here's a practical guide to help you prepare.
The People Who Help Make Your Wedding Happen
The people who dedicate their time and energy to your wedding are usually the first to receive an ang bao. This includes your bridesmaids, groomsmen, Jie Mei (姐妹), and Xiong Di (兄弟), who often spend months helping you plan and an entire day ensuring everything runs smoothly. From organising gatecrash games and calming pre-wedding nerves to coordinating guests and solving last-minute problems, they're much more than ordinary guests. If you have friends helping with registration, ushering guests, managing the photo booth, handling logistics, or assisting behind the scenes, it's also common to prepare a small ang bao as a token of appreciation. Children participating as flower girls or page boys are often included too, making it a memorable keepsake from your wedding day. Ultimately, if someone has volunteered their time to help rather than simply attending as a guest, they're worth considering.
Traditional Wedding Customs
Many wedding ang baos are tied to long-standing Chinese wedding traditions. The most well-known example is the gatecrash, where the groom prepares several smaller ang baos to "negotiate" with the bridesmaids through a series of fun challenges. These are usually prepared in multiple denominations so the groom can bargain throughout the games. If you're having a tea ceremony, you may also wish to prepare ang baos for relatives or family members who help organise the ceremony, prepare the tea sets, or coordinate the flow of events. For civil solemnisations, many couples present a token of appreciation to their solemniser after the ceremony. Since ROM solemnisers volunteer their time and cannot charge a fee, this gesture is widely appreciated. Wedding car drivers may also receive a small ang bao, particularly if they've assisted throughout the day beyond simply providing transport. Not every family follows the same traditions, so it's always worth checking with your parents or elders to understand what's customary in your family.
Who Usually Doesn't Need an Ang Bao
One of the biggest misconceptions among first-time couples is assuming every vendor should receive an ang bao. In reality, professional vendors are already being paid for their services, so an additional red packet isn't generally expected. This includes photographers, videographers, makeup artists, florists, wedding planners, decorators, DJs, live bands, caterers, and photo booth operators. That said, if someone has gone far beyond your expectations or provided exceptional service, there's nothing wrong with giving them a small ang bao or gift as a personal gesture of thanks. It should always be seen as appreciation rather than an obligation. As a final tip, prepare a few spare red packets before your wedding day. Unexpected helpers often appear at the last minute, and having extra ang baos on hand means you can thank them without scrambling for cash.
Final Thoughts
Wedding ang baos aren't about following strict rules—they're about showing gratitude. Whether they're given to your wedding party, relatives, volunteers, or those who uphold meaningful traditions, each ang bao is a simple way of saying, "Thank you for being part of our special day." Every wedding is unique, and so are the customs that come with it. Use this guide as a starting point, adapt it to your family's traditions, and prepare your ang baos ahead of time so you can focus on what truly matters: celebrating your wedding.
Concise list
1) Bridesmaids & Groomsmen 2) Gatecrash Ang Baos 3) ROM Solemniser 4) Flower Girl & Page Boy 5) Bridal Car Driver 6) Car owner, if you borrowed a car from friends 7) Friends Helping on the Wedding Day 8) Tea Ceremony Helpers 9) Person Opening the Bridal Car Door 10) Professional Vendors (Do they need an ang bao?)