Weddings are often called the most important day of one’s life — but in Malaysia, it’s also becoming one of the most expensive occasions to date.
Recently, it was reported that Malaysians are now spending up to RM200,000 just on wedding ceremonies alone.
Professor Datuk Dr Nik Maheran Nik Muhammad from Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) revealed that inflation, soaring venue and catering costs, and societal pressures have led Malaysians to spend between RM50,000 and RM200,000 purely on their wedding ceremonies.
Malaysia’s wedding expenses are among the highest in ASEAN, with average costs ranging from RM50,000 to RM200,000,”
Couples in Cambodia and the Philippines, on the other hand, spend much less, with average wedding budgets of US$15,000 (RM71,000) and US$4,800 (RM22,800), respectively.
Big budgets across all cultures
According to theSun, while Chinese couples are more likely to invest heavily in lavish venues and high-end catering, Malay and Indian couples tend to prioritise grand decorations and intricate invitation designs.
No matter the tradition, the trend remains the same — weddings are burning big holes in wallets.
Many couples have even resorted to loans and credit card debts to finance their celebrations.
Some take out personal loans or rack up credit card debt ranging from RM30,000 to RM100,000.”
The Malaysia Insolvency Department has also linked rising wedding debts to an increase in bankruptcy cases among young Malaysians.
The financial burden is so overwhelming that it has contributed to many young Malaysians, particularly Chinese men, postponing marriage.
Statistics show that the marriage rate among Chinese Malaysians has declined sharply in recent years, dropping from 9.8 per 1,000 in 2016 to just 6.6 in 2022. This trend has continued to decline in 2024,”
Given the current cost of living and property prices, the situation may worsen if economic conditions do not improve.
Nik Maheran strongly advises couples to take a smarter approach to wedding planning.
She recommends setting a realistic budget early on, building a wedding savings fund, and looking into practical ways to save — such as trimming the guest list or opting for an off-peak wedding date.
“Avoid following others in having a grand wedding if you cannot afford it. Have a small wedding instead, and perhaps plan for a grand 10th or 25th year anniversary celebration when you have a stable income or accumulated wealth.”
She reminded soon-to-be-weds that “A wedding is just one day, but financial stability lasts a lifetime.”
Some Malaysians are already finding ways to manage costs wisely. Customer service executive Nurizyan Syafiqah Mohd Shafruddin, 27, financed her RM40,000 wedding purely through savings.
By selling perfumes and doing Shopee affiliate marketing, she saved her full salary for her big day.
She also pointed out that hosting a simple nikah ceremony followed by a meal can significantly reduce expenses.
Meanwhile, business analyst Yaswinii Kannan, 28, spent around RM85,000 for her wedding — slightly under the RM100,000 mark. However, unexpected costs still cropped up.
My makeup artist initially charged RM3,150 but later added an extra RM300 for waiting time during my saree change,”
At the end of the day, while weddings are a beautiful celebration of love, it is important to remember not to let a single day jeopardise years of financial stability.
With smart planning, clear budgeting, and realistic expectations, couples can still have a meaningful and memorable wedding — without falling into the trap of overspending.
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