How many hantaran trays should we have?
Five from the groom's side with seven in return is the most common choice for a mid-sized Malaysian majlis. The count must be odd, and the bride's side returns one more tray than it receives.
Updated: 2 September 2026
Hantaran Kahwin: How Many Trays, What Goes In Them & What It Costs
Hantaran is the exchange of gift trays between two families on the akad or engagement day. The count is always odd, the bride's side usually returns one tray more than it receives, and the contents flex to fit your budget. This guide covers the numbers, the contents and the cost so you can start the conversation with family without stress.
What hantaran is, and how it differs from mas kahwin
Hantaran is the set of decorated gift trays exchanged between the two families as a sign of respect and commitment. It is Malay custom, not a condition of a valid marriage — the akad stands without a single tray.
Mas kahwin is a different thing entirely: it is the obligatory dowry paid by the groom to the bride, set at a rate fixed by each state and recorded on the marriage paperwork. Couples routinely mix the two terms up when talking to family, so establish early which one is actually under discussion.
How many trays is normal?
The number is always odd, and the bride's side returns one more tray than it receives. If the groom's side brings five, the bride's side returns seven. There is no correct number — it depends on what the two families agree and the scale of the majlis.
| Groom's side | Bride's side | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 3 trays | 5 trays | A simple akad with immediate family only |
| 5 trays | 7 trays | A mid-sized majlis — the most common choice |
| 7 trays | 9 trays | A large majlis with both families in full |
| 9 trays | 11 trays | A grand majlis, or where family custom calls for it |
What goes in the groom's side trays
The groom's trays carry personal items for the bride alongside the symbols of the bond. The sirih junjung is always the centrepiece and sits at the front of the procession.
- Sirih junjung — the most elaborately arranged tray, and the visual peak of the set.
- The engagement or wedding ring in a small decorated box.
- One to three sets of baju kurung, songket, or unstitched fabric.
- A makeup set, perfume and personal care items.
- Shoes and a handbag matched to the majlis colour theme.
- A prayer mat and telekung, or a copy of the Quran as a themed tray.
- Fruit, chocolates or cake as the food tray.
What goes in the bride's side return trays
The return trays hold items for the groom, plus one or two food trays as a thank you to the family that made the journey.
- A return sirih junjung, arranged to match the groom's side.
- A full baju Melayu with samping and songkok.
- A watch, wallet or belt.
- Shoes and socks matched to the baju Melayu.
- A prayer mat, kopiah or a copy of the Quran.
- Pulut kuning with rendang or serunding — the most common food tray in return.
- Local fruit or traditional kuih as a parting gift.
What hantaran actually costs
Two separate things drive the cost: the items inside the trays, and the arrangement work. Most couples only budget for the second, when the first is usually far larger.
- Renting trays and arrangements: RM30 to RM120 per tray depending on how elaborate the styling is.
- Buying finished arrangements: RM80 to RM250 per tray — worth it only if you intend to keep them.
- Arranging them yourself: RM15 to RM50 per tray for the tray, fabric and flowers.
- The contents are usually the biggest line — fabric, shoes and a makeup set can each run into the hundreds.
- The most effective saving: fewer trays, better contents. Guests remember a well-arranged tray, not a long row of them.
Match the hantaran to your invitation theme
The tray colours, wrapping fabric and flowers usually come from the same palette as the pelamin and the couple's outfits. The invitation is the first thing guests see, so choosing the card design early hands you a colour palette you can take straight to the person arranging your trays.
With a digital wedding card the theme can be tried out in minutes and changed after publishing without changing the link — useful when the colour decision shifts after a conversation with family.
Frequently asked questions
Is hantaran obligatory in Islam?
No. Hantaran is Malay custom, not a pillar of the marriage. What is obligatory is mas kahwin — the dowry paid by the groom to the bride at the rate set by the state. The akad is valid without any hantaran at all.
When should we start preparing the hantaran?
Book whoever arranges your trays at least one to two months before the majlis, and earlier if your date falls in the school holidays. The contents can be bought in stages so the cost does not land in a single month.
Who pays for the hantaran?
Each side pays for the trays it brings — the groom's family for the hantaran, the bride's family for the return trays. Agree the count early so both sides know what they are preparing for.
Related pages
Start with the invitation
Pick your card theme first, then carry its palette straight into the tray arrangements. Pay once, from RM10.
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