Facts You Should Check For A Wedding Gift For A Coworker
If your coworker is getting married, and you’re wondering what to spend, you’re in the right place. Often as guests, wedding invites start to pile up at some point, and you’re suddenly alarmed at how much you might have to spend on weddings.
You might then find yourself asking how much you should spend on gifts depending on your relationship with the person. We’ve handled that in this article, but we’ve handled more than that. We also discuss other important things like how to write checks to the couple and whether you can buy gifts off the couple’s registry or not.
The Best Gift For Newlyweds
All those tangible gifts are nice, but do you know what most couples think the best gift is? If you guessed cash, youre spot on!
As newlyweds, you may need the gifts listed above. However, cash is often in short supply. Wedding gift money is one of the most appreciated gifts for newly married couples, due in large part to its flexibility.
Of course, youd probably use most, if not all of the gifts listed above. And dont get me wrong, youll enjoy the 1000 thread count pillowcases and use the dinnerware a lot.
Heres the thing, the wedding presents and keepsakes wont help with your expenses. They wont help you save. Wedding gift money is the gift that can keep on giving.
Plus, If you followed our advice here on BSB, you likely had a reasonably affordable wedding. Think of all the money you saved as a cash wedding gift to yourselves! ?
Work Off Of Your Role In The Wedding
Another factor that influences how much you should spend on a wedding gift is your role in the wedding. Bridesmaids and groomsmen pay high prices for attire, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and other wedding festivities. Since the bridal party already contributed lots of time and effort to the wedding, they shouldn’t need to purchase a $150 gift for the bride and groom. Instead, consider having all bridesmaids and groomsmen chip in for one massive wedding gift, or you could stick to the $50 minimum rule. The same principle goes for wedding guests attending a destination wedding, since they oftentimes pay for airfare and lodging.
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Is Giving Money Acceptable
Yes, giving the gift of money is perfectly acceptable. This has become more common over time, and modern couples often prefer a cash gift.
Some couples may not need kitchenware as much as they need money to cover the expenses of their wedding, so if youd rather save yourself a trip to the store, giving money is usually appreciated.
Should I Buy A Gift If I Can’t Attend The Wedding
Unless you’ve been out of touch with the couple for a very long time, you probably should. If you’re a close friend of the couple, you should probably send a good gift. They’ll understand why you can’t make it, especially if it’s because of the pandemic. You can also send a congratulation card if you’re not too close as you decline the invitation. On the other hand, our $16 insulated wine bottle carrier is not too expensive and can still make the couple happy.
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Do You Need To Give Gifts For A Destination Wedding
If youre attending a destination wedding and forking out for flights, accommodation and other travel costs, its generally understood that your presence on the day is present enough. In fact, the couple will probably make this clear on their wedding invitations or wedding website. Of course, theres nothing stopping you from giving a gift if youd still like to do so!
When To Buy And Send A Wedding Gift
My recommendation, if you do not send the gift right when you receive the invite, you should send it as close to the wedding day as possible, said Swann. “Your goal is to make sure the gift arrives prior to the wedding day. Don’t forget to leave time for unexpected shipping delays. While it’s better to have your gift arrive sooner rather than later if you leave it to the last minute, don’t fret. The couple will still be happy to get your gift even if it arrives after their big day.
Some people still bring gifts to the actual wedding, but that practice is quickly going out of fashion. Because of the popularity of online shopping more people are having gifs shipped directly to the couple, said Swann. She said if you want to bring a gift to the actual wedding check with the wedding party first to make sure there is a gift table set up for that. You don’t want your present to have the unintended consequence of stressing out the couple on their big day!
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How Much Should One Person Spend On A Wedding Gift
When youre giving money for a wedding gift and attending solo, etiquette says you should spend about $50 to $75. But you may want to also consider the couple youre celebrating. If its a coworker, or someone you just catch up with from time to time, the lower end of the spectrum is appropriate. For a close friend or family member, consider going higher, to the $75 range, or even to $100.
How Much Should You Give As A Wedding Gift
When you go to as many weddings as Stephanie Wong does, you need to come up with some guidelines for gift-giving. During the past two years, Wong, 32, who works in marketing for a book publisher in San Francisco, has been to about a half-dozen weddings. She expects to attend three more this year.
The amount Wong spends is all about her relationship to the people getting married, how fancy the wedding is going to be and whether she brings a date.
At a recent wedding of a close friend where she did a reading and went alone, Wong gave the couple $300. At another wedding in her social circle, she skipped the reception and gave $75.
As the wedding season gets into full swing, guests from coast to coast are confronted with the same question: How much should you spend and how should you give it?
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Consider A Cash Wedding Gift
Nowadays, its totally okay and common to gift cash. In fact, many modern couples prefer it, especially if they marry later in life and already have everything they need for their home. As a result, these couples add a general cash fund, a honeymoon fund, or even an experiences fund that guests can contribute money to whether in lieu of physical gifts or alongside them. A cash gift is also a great option if you cant decide on a retail gift or dont have time to peruse the couples registry.
Consider Your Relationship With The Couple
Your relationship with the couple is another important factor in how much to spend on a wedding gift. For instance, are you an immediate family member, close friend, distant relative, or co-worker? While this answer along with your personal budget and comfort level can help you settle on a gift that makes sense, here are also some loose price range guidelines.
- Immediate family, close friend, or best friend: $100
- Friend: $75-$100
- Coworker or distant relative: $50-$75
Additionally, if you plan to bring a plus one to the wedding, spending 1.5x or 2x more on the gift is reasonable but not expected.
Tip: If youre in the wedding party and have financial obligations for the various wedding festivities planned, like the bridal shower or bachelorette party, its best to refer to your personal budget to guide your day-of-wedding gift.
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Should I Buy A Gift If I Cant Attend The Wedding
“Emily Post has always attested to the fact that you should always send a gift if invited unless youve truly been out of touch for a considerable length of time,” says Carlson. “Id like to think, however, that there is absolutely an understanding that if you decline the invitation and are not in a financial position to send a gift, then you dont, and thats OK. Instead, send your warm wishes with a handwritten note.”
If youre a close friend of the couple, its probably best to send a wedding gift. If, on the other hand, your distant cousin invited 300 people to her wedding and you feel like you were invite number 299, a sweet note of congratulations on the RSVP card is sufficient. If you do decide to send a gift, feel free to spend less than you might spend if you were attendingthat $30 wine opener is still a lovely token of congratulations that the couple will surely appreciate.
Can You Give Cash Or A Check
“Among our brides, is not the right way to go,” Easton admits. And Howser agrees, “I would never tell someone to gift cash, it’s so impersonal. This is a wedding, not a charity gala.” But if you must”I’d never give a check,” Blum explains. “If I’m giving cash, I’m going to give cash, along with a handwritten note.”
It seems buying off the couple’s registry is by far the more cost-effective way to go. “You can give a $200 Le Creuset piece from the registry, but if you’re going to gift cash, it should be a larger amount to feel impactful,” Easton says.
Easton, Blum, and Hamilton all agree that given the impersonal nature of a cash gift, the amount needs to be substantial, to the tune of around $500. Howser recommends not gifting less than $300 if you opt to give a cash gift. The packaging also matters. “If you do give cash, it should be done in a way that’s thoughtful and has a lovely presentation to it. Present it a gorgeous envelope, or maybe have the packaging calligraphed,” Easton suggests.
On the flip side, Hamilton has had a different experience. “People do love cash. A lot of people are living together before the wedding, and so a registry feels really formal nowadays. Maybe people are registering for upgrades to their home, or fine china, but giving someone cash allows them to purchase whatever they’d like or add an upgrade to their honeymoon.”
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If Youre In The Wedding Party
The average wedding party member spends $125 on a wedding gift. Now, were aware that a wedding party member spends a lot of money on other aspects of being in a weddingspecial attire, planning pre-wedding events like showers or bachelor/bachelorette parties, and more. If youre on a tight budget and not sure how much to spend on a wedding gift, you can spend a bit less on the actual gift itselfbut try to make your gift something meaningful , to show that you care.
How Much Money Do You Give A Close Friend At A Wedding
Generally, a distant relative or an acquaintance gives somewhere around $100 to $125 per person as a wedding gift. Since the average amount of money that is given as a wedding gift is $150, those who are close to the couple might give more. Based on how much they can afford, they can gift anywhere from $150 to $200 and above. This is calculated per individual basis and so if you have a plus one, then in total it can go up to $300 or $400. If you cannot afford it, you can gift them what you can as the couple will surely understand. Never feel pressured to gift more than what you can afford.
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What Is Your Role
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Now that we have some of the basics established and out of the way, let us talk about your role at the wedding. Apart from the bride and the groom, and the best man or maid of honor , being a groomsman or a bridesmaid is the next biggest thing at the wedding. Individuals who are chosen to stand near the couple at the altar are more important, they are there for a reason. No matter if they are friends or cousins, they should spend a bit more on the present. If you are buying individual gifts, as a groomsman or a bridesmaid you should spend at least $100. If the couple took care of your wear and accommodation, which is usually the case, be sure to start at $125. If all of you are buying one gift, again, around $100 per person is great for a bigger, pricier gift.
Should I Use The Price Per Head Rule
While this etiquette has gone around for a bit like a rule, it is just a guideline. What you gift a couple should be dependent on your relationship with them and your means. You should not skimp on getting your friends a thoughtful present just because they’re having a casual wedding. It would be best if you also didn’t go into debt because you’re trying to even the score for a black-tie wedding you attended that was elegant.
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Most Important Tip: Only Spend What You Can Afford
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Accepting a wedding invitation is pretty much a contractual obligation to get the happy couple a gift, and no one wants to look like a cheapskate when the presents are opened. However, accepting a wedding invitation also means accepting the costs of travel and lodging to attend, which can put a serious dent in your budget. So, how can a guest balance all these financial obligations and give the couple a great gift?
Here are five tips to help you figure out how much you should spend on a wedding present.
How Much Do You Spend On A Wedding Gift
The amount of money you spend on a wedding gift depends on your relationship with the bride and groom. Youll want to consider how close you are to the happy couple before purchasing a gift so your selection is appropriate. When it comes to general gift etiquette though, try not to spend less than $50 on a wedding gift no matter your relationship with the couple. Follow our suggested spending categories below, organized by your relationship with the bride or groom:
- Close Friend or Close Relative: $150+
- Friend or Relative: $100-$125
- Co-Worker, Distant Family-Friend, or Distant Relative: $50-$100
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