How Much To Spend On A Wedding Gift Per Couple
Let’s say you’re attending a wedding as a plus-one and you don’t know the couple particularly well, or you’re bringing a date to a wedding you were invited to. You might wonder if these rules change when you’re thinking about how much to spend on a wedding gift as a couple, and they don’t. In this scenario, again, you might consider spending between $100-$200+ on a wedding gift.
“If you’re attending the wedding with a significant other, you can always give a gift together,” Post explains. “The gift can be structured any way you want: One person can give the gift while the other just signs the card, or you can chip in to the gift together. Whether or not you contribute to the gift is between you and the person you’re attending withjust make sure both names are on the card.” Adds Volkom: “Not only does this option cut costs, it also allows you to put a larger budget towards the gift.”
How Much To Spend On A Wedding Gift If You Aren’t Attending
Here’s a tricky one: How much should you spend on a wedding gift if you aren’t attending the actual event? Even if you have to RSVP “no,” it’s still recommended to send the couple a gift as a token of your thanks for receiving the invite. You may decline a wedding invite for a variety of reasonsbut if one major aspect of your decision is the cost, it’s understandable if you aren’t able to commit to a pricey gift. Regardless of your financial status, we recommend checking the couple’s registry to find some ideas in your price range. Look for flexible options like gift cards, cash funds or affordable home items. You can even go in on a group gift with other guests to offset some of the costs.
Does The Type Of Wedding Influence How Much You Should Give
As much as the amount of money that you give as a wedding gift is influenced by the relationship you have with the couple, so too should the type of wedding they are having.
A lot of couples like to travel to beautiful places to have their wedding ceremony. Some may want to get married on the beach in Hawaii and others may like the backdrop of Niagara Falls.
So what do you do when you need to travel to a wedding and also budget for a cash gift? First of all you should consider if you can actually afford to travel to the destination.
Dont forget that its not just the cost of your return ticket that you have to take account of. Unless you are staying with family or friends you will need to budget for accommodation and meals while you are there.
Then you can calculate how much you can reasonably afford to give as a cash gift.
For small, intimate and local weddings then the amount that you give can reflect this and similarly, if the wedding is a large, formal celebration you may want to gift a bit more.
Whether the bride and groom are a young couple celebrating their first marriage or are on their second or third time around, this can influence how much you can give as a cash gift.
Younger couples will likely need to furnish a home or still be carrying a student loan so perhaps a more significant cash contribution would be welcome.
Older couples on the other hand are more likely to be financially stable and typically wont have the same need for cash.
Don’t Miss: How Much Is Appropriate For A Wedding Gift
How Much To Give For A Wedding If Theres An Engagement Party Too
How much to give for a wedding is synonymous with your availability for the wedding. It is well-advised that you split your budget for the wedding gift into 25% / 75%. 25% on engagement gifts and the remaining 75% on gifts for the main wedding. Something like wine, a box of chocolates or a box of cupcakes will do.
If you will not be available for the main wedding and the couple means a lot to you, follow Diane Gottsmans principle. Browse through their engagement gift ideas and pick something thats equivalent to the amount you would spend on a wedding gift.
What Is The Etiquette For Giving Cash As A Wedding Gift
Do you give the cash at the wedding or send it beforehand? How exactly do you present your cash gift to the couple? These are some of the questions that you may be asking yourself about the etiquette of giving cash as a wedding gift.
Most couples will have a box at the reception for receiving cards and monetary gifts. If you are going to give them cash, put it in an envelope with a card and make sure that they know who its from, so they can thank you later.
If you are giving them a check make sure that you remember to sign it before putting it in the envelope. Avoid handing the cash or check to the couple at the reception as they will have so much going on, and its just another thing to keep track of.
You can always send a check to the couple before the wedding and this may actually help them out with any unforeseen or last minute expenses.
Finally, consider the culture of the wedding you are attending.
If it is an American wedding then the above advice is good but if the couple are from a different country or culture it is best to inform yourself beforehand about their traditions and what is expected.
Also Check: How Much Are Wedding Veils
How Much Cash Should I Give As A Wedding Gift
Let’s start by discussing the range within which most cash wedding gifts fall. The average cash wedding gift in Ireland is somewhere between 50 and 200 per guest. The figures are really similar in other parts of the world, ranging from £50 to £200 in the UK, from $50 to $200 in the US, and from AUS$50 to AUS$200 in Australia. Obviously, there’s a big difference between a 50 gift and a 200 gift, so how do you decide exactly how much cash to put in the envelope? Well, there are a few additional factors to take into account
Got another question that needs answering? Check out our wedding FAQ page!
How Much To Spend On A Wedding Gift If I Am Invited To A Luxury Wedding
i
What to give as a wedding gift or how much to spend should not be decided by the class of the wedding. The amount of money you will spend on a gift at a wedding at the park is the same amount you spend on a grand castle wedding. Do not turn down invites or feel pressured by an exotic ambiance, the pedigree of the couple, or 5-course meals.
Avoid straining your budget to buy a befitting gift. Your wedding gift cost is absolute by your relationship with the couple. They chose to have a luxury wedding and thats not your problem.
Also Check: Polaroid For Wedding Photo Booth
What Should I Get As A Present For An Engagement Party
Couples who do have an engagement party shouldn’t assume they’ll automatically get a present. To add to the festive atmosphere, feel free to bring a small bottle of champagne and some champagne glasses. You don’t have to get a present if you plan on spending a lot of money on other wedding-related expenses, though. Check out Boutique Events Group Wedding Venue for your ultimate wedding reception.
What To Mention When Giving In Person
When giving cash as a wedding gift, it is appropriate to stuff the envelope with crisp new bills.
You can also provide a check, but be sure that it is made out to either the bride or groom or both of them together.
If you are close to the couple and want to give them a more personal gift, you could write a heartfelt letter expressing your best wishes for their future together.
Whatever you do, be sure to include a note with your gift so that the couple knows who it is from.
When you present the monetary gift to the couple, you might say something like:
- Best wishes on this new chapter in your lives. Congratulations.
- Wishing you all the happiness in the world on your wedding day and beyond.
- May your marriage be as beautiful and happy as you both are.
If you want to get a little more personal, you could say something like:
- Im so happy to be able to share this special day with you and witness the beginning of your beautiful journey together.
- I cant think of anyone more perfect for each other than the two of you, and I wish you all the happiness in the world.
- Your wedding day is just the beginning of what I know will be a long and happy journey together.
Also Check: 14k Gold Men’s Wedding Band
Whats The Cover Your Plate Rule
Once upon a time, it was considered good etiquette to purchase a wedding gift with a price tag comparable to the cost per plate at the reception. Although its outdated, this sneaky piece of advice still gets passed around by wedding attendees like a piece of wedding gospel.
Heres why you should leave it behind:
- Following this guideline means having to ask around how much theyre spending per plate at their wedding, which is a pretty uncomfortable question to circulate.
- It implies that you as a guest have to spend a certain amount on a wedding gift regardless of your budget .
- Attending someones wedding isnt a food-for-gift exchangeits about celebration and coming together.
- This practice indicates to the couple that youre only interested in giving them a gift that matches their wedding catering budget.
How Much To Spend On A Wedding Gift For A Close Friend Or Family Member
Perhaps your best friend or a close cousin is getting marriedyou likely want to spend a little more on the wedding gift amount. Wedding guests are typically open to splurging on a monetary or cash wedding gift for a loved one. Since $160 is the national average spend, you might consider spending anywhere between $100-$200+ on a gift for a close friend or family member.
If you’re also in this person’s wedding party, though, Volkom suggests evaluating the amount you’ve already spent on an engagement gift, a shower gift, the bachelorette party and any other wedding-related expenses. “With this in mind, it’s perfectly acceptable to opt for a more sentimental gift rather than an extravagant gift,” she says. You can always give something on the lower end of this spectrum considering the large role you’ve already contributed to their big day.
Also Check: Wedding Dresses With High Neck
Can You Bring A Gift To A Wedding
“Even if you do give cash, you’re not bringing thator any gift for that matterto the wedding,” says Blum.
In fact, bringing your gifteven if it’s just a carddoes the couple and the expert team they’ve hired a disservice. It’s their planning team that ends up being in charge of safekeeping the gifts brought to the venue and safely delivering them to the client. That responsibility can interfere with the event taking place and the couple’s plans for the evening once they’re required to transport gifts home after the celebration.
Let’s be honest: There is nothing sexy or romantic about ending one of the best nights of your life by loading up the trunk of a car to lug odds and ends home. When gifting for a wedding, it should be sent in advance, ideally via the registry, at a time you know is convenient for the couple to receive it. “Nobody wants to carry a Cuisinart up a hill, or have one placed in the trunk of their getaway car,” insists Howser. “Under no circumstances are you to bring a gift to a wedding.”
Answers To The Etiquette Questions Plus Gift Inspiration
Weddings are such fun to attend but they can be costly for guests. So, with wedding season in full swing and over 350,000 set to take place this year, money saving and budget expert Jenny McCormac has the best advice for you.
Jenny McCormac from BrandRated has tips on the best etiquette of how much to spend on the happy couple and what to do if you can’t afford to buy a gift at all. Keep reading for gift inspiration.
You May Like: Nightmare Before Christmas Wedding Bands
Immediate Family Member Or Member Of The Wedding Party: 110 Or Less
Perhaps you are seated at the top table
If you are a close family member or part of the wedding party, then you have some room here to be more open. You have most likely played a key role in the build-up to the wedding, whether thats joining the hen or stag do or even helping to plan, meaning the couple will already appreciate the effort you have made.
A gift is less of an expectation and should be treated as more of a thoughtful token of appreciation.
Do I Still Need To Buy A Wedding Gift If The Wedding Is In A Foreign Location
Once more, yes. Yet, a destination wedding might make a significant dent in your savings account due to the high expense of transportation and hotel.
Even if you’re attending a destination wedding and the couple already has everything they could desire, it’s still customary to give a gift.
If you have to pay a lot to attend the wedding, you shouldn’t feel bad about spending less than you would at a local party.
Also Check: When To Send Wedding Invites
How Much Of The Cost Of Guest Rooms At A Hotel Venue Should I Expect To Shoulder
It is not your responsibility to cover your guests’ hotel costs throughout your wedding weekend, regardless of whether or not your venue offers on-site lodging. When a hotel is the location, customers can make reservations with the venue’s personnel.
You are not compelled to pay for the lodging expenses of close friends and family or to support the lodging expenses of guests. Check out our extensive list of Wedding Photographers in Melbourne to help capture your special moments.
Whats The Typical Range For A Cash Wedding Gift
Whilst there is no maximum amount, think about your financial situation and budget. Ultimately, it is your decision how much money you give.
On average, most guests give between $75 and $200, regardless of the size of the wedding.
But its about what feels comfortable to you and will largely depend on your relationship with the couple. It also depends on whether youre going solo or attending with a partner.
Don’t Miss: Gold Wedding Bands With Diamonds
How Much To Spend On A Wedding Gift Depending On Your Invite
Everyone loves a wedding, but they can be costly affairs to attend, as well as host. Apparently, the average cost of being a wedding guest is £541.90. From travel and staying overnight somewhere to a new outfit and drinks, its not hard for the costs to add up. Additionally, if youre part of the bridal or groom party, youll likely have even more costs beforehand linked to the hen or stag do.
And all that is before we even think about the gift. Wedding gifting has become tricky ground in recent years with most couples living together before tying the knot, they likely already own everything they need.
The biggest trend these days is for couples to ask for donations towards their honeymoon fund in lieu of physical wedding gifts, but this still leaves the dilemma of how much to spend perhaps even more so, as you know the couple will be able to see exactly how much money youve gifted them.
To help out, the personal finance experts at Ocean Finance have crunched the numbers to reveal exactly how much is an appropriate amount to spend on wedding gifts, depending on where you sit in the wedding party.
However, remember this is a guide, not an essential. As the researchers say: While people might worry about how much to spend on a gift, many couples are just happy youre able to celebrate the day with them and realise youve probably already spent money doing just that.
Heres what they had to say on how much to spend on wedding gifts
What About A Destination Wedding
A destination wedding can put additional costs on the shoulders of an attending guest. There are plane, train or bus tickets, hotel rooms and more.
Sometimes, when you attend a destination wedding, your gift to the marrying couple is your presence, Swann said.
Whitmore agreed but still recommends a small gift.
Margulis said that if you are deciding whether you can afford to attend a destination wedding you should consider if you have space in your budget for a present.
“In no way is the decision to buy a gift related to whether or not youll spend money to travel to the wedding,” she said. “However, many wedding guests decide their funds are better spent on a wedding gift than the cost of traveling to a destination wedding and therefore forgo the trip.”
Is it better to select from the registry or gift money?
Whitmore said that couples put together a gift registry because they want or need specific things. So, “when in doubt, purchase something from the registry.” But she’s not against cash gifts either.
And Blum said the registry can actually serve as a good financial guide.
“Assuming they have a registry, there are usually lots of inexpensive items, middle items,” Blum said.
Don’t Miss: How Much To Hire A Wedding Planner
How Late Can I Give A Wedding Gift
Some will say that you have up to a year to purchase a wedding gift, but best practice is to always buy and send gifts before the wedding day or within 3 months of the nuptials. Any longer and youre likely to forget. Plus, its more convenient for the couple to manage receiving gifts sooner rather than later.
Still have questions? Our registry advisors are just a call or email away. Happy gift giving, wedding guests!
