Wedding Budget Planning in Cambodia: Where Your Money Really Goes

Start with the big picture

A Khmer wedding can be one of the biggest expenses a family takes on. Before you book anything, sit down with both families and agree on a total budget and who is paying for which parts.

The main cost categories

Costs vary widely by city, venue and guest numbers, but most budgets include:

• Venue and catering. Usually the largest share, and priced per table or per guest.
• Wedding planner and decoration. Tents, flowers, stage and ceremony setup.
• Outfits, hair and makeup. Including several outfit changes on the day.
• Photography and video. Often including a pre-wedding photo shoot.
• Music and MC for the reception.
• Ceremony items. Gifts for the procession, offerings and fees for the achar.
• Invitations. Printing, envelopes and delivery.
• Transport and accommodation for relatives.

Your guest count drives everything

Because catering is priced per head, every extra table adds up fast. Getting an accurate RSVP count is one of the easiest ways to avoid overspending.

Simple ways to save

• Print cards only for elders and send digital invitations to everyone else.
• Book early to secure better prices in peak season.
• Compare packages that combine decoration, photography and makeup.
• Keep a small reserve, around ten percent, for unexpected costs.

Track spending as you go

Write down every deposit and payment as it happens. Small costs are easy to forget and together they add up.

Save on invitations

Theapka replaces most of your printing and delivery costs with digital invitations, and its RSVP tracking helps you give your caterer an accurate number.