The Era of 60,000-Won Wedding Meals Ends the Odd-Number Gift Rule: "It's Awkward to Give 50,000 Won" [Jumoney Talk]

Average Wedding Cost Reaches 21.6 Million Won
Meal Cost at Weddings Surpasses 60,000 Won
Guests Face Growing Burden of Congratulatory Money

Editor's NoteWe are living in a time when a single serving of pork belly costs 20,000 won and a bowl of jajangmyeon is 7,500 won. The consumer price index for 2024 stands at 114.18 (2020=100), and in 2025, the burden on consumers' wallets has grown due to continued high inflation. Through the "Jumoney Talk" (Week+Money+Talk) series, we aim to share stories about consumption closely tied to our finances, as prices change moment by moment.

Gong, a 31-year-old office worker who got married last June, organized the congratulatory money received from guests after the wedding. Among the 203 guests, 58% gave 100,000 won, making it the most common amount, followed by 50,000 won (15.8%) and 200,000 won (15.3%). Guests who gave 300,000 won or more accounted for 8.4%. Gong said, "Those who did not attend the wedding or did not have a meal mostly gave 50,000 won, while most of those who attended, regardless of how close we were, gave 100,000 won." He added, "Since the meal cost is 60,000 won, I think guests considered this when giving 100,000 won."

As wedding costs soar, the burden of congratulatory money for guests is also increasing. In the past, it was common to give amounts in odd numbers such as 30,000, 50,000, or 70,000 won depending on the level of acquaintance, but as wedding preparation costs have risen, the standard amount has naturally increased as well.

'Weddingflation' Persists... 'Studio, Dress, Makeup' Costs Also on the Rise

A couple preparing for marriage is taking photos during a wedding shoot event at Choansan Hydrangea Hill in Nowon-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

The upward trend in overall wedding expenses continues this year. According to the Korea Consumer Agency, which surveyed 504 wedding service companies in 14 regions nationwide, the average cost of wedding services in August was 21.6 million won, up 4.1% from June. By region, Gangnam in Seoul was the most expensive at 35.09 million won, about three times higher than Gyeongsang Province, the least expensive region at 11.81 million won. The meal cost, which accounts for the largest portion of wedding hall expenses, has also increased. The median meal price rose by 3.4%, from 58,000 won to 60,000 won.

The cost of "Studio, Dress, Makeup" packages, known as "Sdeume," is also adding to the burden for engaged couples. According to the matchmaking company Duo, the average cost of Sdeume packages has steadily increased: ▲ 2.78 million won in 2021 ▲ 3.07 million won in 2022 ▲ 3.33 million won in 2023 ▲ 3.6 million won in 2024. This is an increase of about 30% compared to 2021.

With wedding preparation costs rising every year, the new term "weddingflation," a combination of "wedding" and "inflation," has emerged. In online communities for engaged couples, complaints about the difficulty of covering these costs are frequent. One bride-to-be, who is set to marry in December, said, "Whenever the word 'wedding' is attached, service prices double or triple. There are so many expenses involved in preparing for a wedding that I'm trying to do whatever I can myself."

Rising Congratulatory Money Each Year Increases Burden on Guests

As wedding costs rise, the burden of congratulatory money for guests is also increasing. In the past, congratulatory money was mainly a form of mutual aid, celebrating each other's happy occasions and reciprocating what was given. However, as the amounts have grown, many people now feel a significant financial burden.

According to an analysis of online congratulatory money transfers by Kakao Pay, the average amount of congratulatory money has steadily increased: ▲73,000 won in 2021 ▲ 80,000 won in 2022 ▲ 83,000 won in 2023 ▲ 90,000 won as of September 2024. This represents a rise of about 23.3% over the past three years. In a 1994 Gallup Korea survey, the average congratulatory money was 28,000 won, meaning it has increased about 3.2 times over 30 years. Especially for close friends' weddings, it is not uncommon to give 200,000 to 300,000 won, making the burden even heavier.

Son, a 29-year-old office worker, said, "These days, even if you're not particularly close, 100,000 won seems to be the standard congratulatory money if you attend the wedding. If I don't attend, I usually send about 50,000 won, but considering the meal cost, 100,000 won seems appropriate." He added, "Recently, I've had several friends get married at once, so I've spent hundreds of thousands of won on congratulatory money in just one month. While I am happy to receive wedding invitations, it's also a real financial burden."

The standard for congratulatory money in the workplace is also settling at 100,000 won. According to a survey by the job portal Incruit of 844 office workers last May, 61.8% said that 100,000 won was the appropriate amount when attending a colleague's wedding and having a meal. This was followed by ▲50,000 won (32.8%) ▲less than 50,000 won (3.2%) ▲150,000 won (1.4%). Respondents said that 100,000 won was appropriate for both 'close colleagues' and 'colleagues connected through work or collaboration,' with 59.7% and 60.1% respectively, both exceeding half.

Meanwhile, as the burden of wedding costs and congratulatory money increases, local governments are introducing measures to ease the financial burden on engaged couples. A representative example is the "public wedding hall" system, which allows couples to hold weddings at relatively low cost by using public facilities. Some local governments, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Busan, are operating such venues. In particular, since July, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has significantly expanded the number of public wedding halls from 25 to 61.