It pays to propose: Wedding cash gifts rise to average of 117,000 won

The average cash amount gifted to newlyweds at a Korean wedding last year was 117,000 won, up from 110,000 won in 2023, according to a report released Thursday by NongHyup Bank.

The bank analyzed 5.33 million transactions by 1.15 million customers who sent wedding gifts via bank transfer between January 2023 and December 2025. The average amount rose steadily over the two-year period, amounting to a cumulative increase of about 6.9 percent. 

It is customary for wedding attendees in Korea to give cash instead of gifts to the groom and bride, either in the form of hard cash or bank transfers. While there is no fixed amount on how much to give, it is widely understood that the closer the guest is to the couple, the more they pay.

The most common amount gifted last year was 50,000 won, accounting for 42.3 percent of all transfers, falling from 46.5 percent in 2023. It was followed by 100,000 won at 39.7 percent, which rose from 36.1 percent in 2023 and 200,000 won at 7.5 percent, also rising from 6.1 percent.

The share of gifts worth 1 million won or more rose from 2.95 percent in 2023 to 3.17 percent last year, and transfers of 10 million won or more grew from 0.22 percent to 0.36 percent over the same period. Transfers of 100 million won or more related to weddings increased 14-fold in 2024 compared to the previous year, and rose a further 1.6 times last year.

The bank attributed part of the jump in large transfers to a tax exemption introduced in 2024 that allows individuals to receive gifts of up to 100 million won from direct relatives in connection with marriage or childbirth without incurring a gift tax.

Saturday was the most common day for sending wedding gifts, accounting for 33 percent of transfers. Friday came in second at 20 percent, as many guests send gifts the day before the ceremony, followed by Sunday at 16 percent.

By age group, those in their 20s and 30s gave the most on average at 138,000 won, followed by those in their 60s and above at 118,000 won, and those in their 40s and 50s at 107,000 won. By region, Seoul had the highest average at 134,000 won, followed by Busan at 128,000 won, Gwangju at 124,000 won and Incheon at 119,000 won.

"As wedding-related costs in Seoul are higher than in other regions, people there also appear to tend to prepare more generous cash gifts accordingly,” a bank representative said.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

BY HAN YOUNG-HYE. [[email protected]]