VENUE & F&B

Venue and Food & Beverage: 45–55% of Budget

This is your single biggest line item — and in Vietnam, venue and catering are almost always bundled together. Hotels and banquet halls quote per-table pricing that includes food, basic beverage, standard décor, and sound system.

What this covers: Venue rental (often included in per-table pricing), complete meal service for all guests, basic beverage package, standard table setup, in-house AV system, and a house MC if included.

Where couples overspend: Upgrading to premium beverage packages, adding a cocktail hour with passed canapés, or choosing a venue that is beautiful but requires bringing in everything externally (outdoor estates, for example, where you pay separately for tent, catering, power, restrooms, and more).

Smart move: Compare the total cost, not just the per-table price. A hotel at 5,000,000 VND per table that includes everything may be cheaper than a restaurant at 3,500,000 VND per table where you need to add sound, lighting, and coordination separately.

Your venue choice cascades through every other budget line — choose wisely

DÉCOR & FLORALS For broader inspiration, see WeddingWire ideas.

Decoration and Florals: 15–25% of Budget

Décor is where weddings in Vietnam diverge most from Western budgeting. Vietnamese celebrations place enormous emphasis on visual presentation — the entrance, the backdrop, the table design, the ceremony altar. This is not vanity; it is cultural.

What this covers: Ceremony backdrop and altar design, reception table centerpieces and linens, entrance and photo-op installations, lighting design, lounge furniture, and all floral work.

The variable: Flowers. Fresh flowers are the single most variable cost in any wedding budget. Orchids, peonies, and garden roses cost significantly more than chrysanthemums and carnations. Imported varieties (from Holland, Ecuador, or Japan) can triple your floral budget. Ask your decorator to present options at different price points.

Smart move: Work with a decorator like The White Planner who can achieve visual impact through design — not just flower volume. Greenery-heavy designs with strategic premium blooms often look more sophisticated than walls of mid-range flowers.

Great décor is not about spending more — it is about designing smarter

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

Photography and Videography: 8–12% of Budget

Your photos and videos are the only investment that appreciates over time. Twenty years from now, you will not remember the exact flower arrangement — but you will watch the video and feel everything again.

What this covers: Pre-wedding shoot (engagement session), full wedding day coverage (2–3 photographers), videography with 2+ cameras, same-day edit highlight video, full edited gallery, and a cinematic wedding film.

Common add-ons: Drone footage for outdoor venues, photo booth with instant prints, album design and printing, and raw file delivery.

Smart move: Do not split photo and video between different companies unless you have a strong reason. When one team handles both, they coordinate positions, share timelines, and never compete for the couple’s attention. The result is smoother coverage and better footage.

Invest in the memories — they are the only thing that lasts forever

FOOD & EXTRAS

Catering Extras, Cake, and Beverages: 5–8% (Beyond Venue Package)

Even with a venue package covering the main meal, there are food and beverage costs that sit outside the base quote. These add up faster than most couples expect.

Welcome drinks and canapés: 50,000–150,000 VND per guest for a cocktail hour. For 200 guests, that is 10,000,000–30,000,000 VND on top of your venue package.

Wedding cake: Fondant cakes from specialty bakeries start around 5,000,000 VND for a simple design. Multi-tier statement cakes with sugar flowers or architectural elements run 15,000,000–30,000,000+ VND.

Beverage upgrades: Venue packages typically include basic soft drinks and local beer. Upgrading to wine, champagne toast, or premium spirits adds 500,000–2,000,000 VND per table.

The extras matter — a champagne toast or welcome cocktail sets the tone for the entire evening

EVERYTHING ELSE

The Other 10–15%: Entertainment, Attire, and Hidden Costs

The remaining budget covers a surprising number of line items. Individually, they are small. Together, they are significant.

Entertainment: Live band (15,000,000–50,000,000 VND), DJ (8,000,000–20,000,000 VND), bilingual MC (5,000,000–15,000,000 VND). If your venue includes a house MC, you may not need to book separately — but experienced independent MCs deliver a noticeably better experience.

Wedding planner: 15,000,000–80,000,000 VND depending on the service level. If you are reading this article, you are probably already considering one — and the coordination savings alone often justify the cost.

Attire and beauty: Bride’s dress, groom’s suit, áo dài for ceremonies, hair and makeup for the bride (and sometimes bridesmaids). This ranges from 20,000,000–100,000,000+ VND depending on whether you are buying, renting, or commissioning custom designs.

The hidden 5%: Transportation (wedding cars, shuttle for guests), marriage registration fees, guest favors, bridal party gifts, tips for vendors, stationery (invitations, menu cards, place cards), and the miscellaneous expenses that accumulate. Always budget a 10% contingency on top of your planned total.

Entertainment is the pulse of your reception — budget for energy, not just sound