Big wedding this weekend? Use this calculator to find out how much money you should give to the couple. You might be surprised by the answer.
Weddings are a huge deal. You need to figure out what to wear, transportation and lodging, and your wedding gift.
Nowadays, most couples don't have Macy's wedding registries. Instead, they prefer the convenience of gift cards or regular old cash. But the amount you should spend depends on a few factors:
- Your income
- Their income
- Your relationship to them
- Wedding location
- Is this their first marriage?
Compare Checking Accounts
Click Here to Compare Offers
How much should a cash wedding gift be?
The average wedding gift is around $100 (per guest), and this baseline is a great place to start. If you're bringing a plus-one, then you can give $200 as a couple.
Is $25 an appropriate amount for a wedding gift? $25 may be appropriate if you're simply an acquaintance or co-worker of the bride/groom. But it's definitely on the low side. If you can, spring for $50 at the least.
What is a good cash wedding gift amount for one person?
If you're flying solo and just a casual friend of the bride or groom, then you can spend $75-$100 on your gift.
Even if you're a super close friend of the couple, $500 is the most you should give. $2,000 might be too much.
What is an appropriate amount for a cash wedding gift?
As a rule of thumb, you can give $50-$500 as a single guest, depending on your relationship to the couple. For a casual guest who might not be making a ton of money, $75 should be sufficient.
Of course, if you can afford it, then spend a bit more to help this couple start their new lives. It's no secret that planning a wedding is notoriously expensive and time-consuming. You want to share in this couple's joy.
Is it better to give cash or a check for a wedding gift? A check may be easier to write than swinging by the ATM, but cash is definitely more convenient for the couple. If you can, give cash. But either should be just fine.
How to attend a wedding without breaking the bank
Weddings can be pretty pricey for guests, too. Here are a few tips to help you celebrate the happy couple without spending too much.
- Send the gift after the wedding: If you're short on cash when the wedding rolls around, don't worry! It's acceptable to send the gift a couple of months after the big day.
- Look at the gift registry ASAP: Guests buying an item (instead of giving cash) should be sure to look at the registry early. If you wait 'til the day of the wedding, all the affordable gifts will be gone.
- Respect the couple's wishes: If the couple asks for no gifts at all, or maybe just a honeymoon contribution, listen to them! It's much easier on you, too.
Bottom line
Marriage is a big, big milestone for couples. And they want to share this special moment with you.
This calculator gives you a point of reference on how much to spend on your wedding gift. Give what you can afford - and consider how expensive the event might be for the couple to host.
And, of course, dress tastefully and enjoy the night. These two people want to see their friends and family laughing and having a good time.
Offers You May Like
BMO Smart Advantage Checking - $250 Cash Bonus
Expires 5/3/2024
Bank of America Advantage Banking - $200 Bonus Offer
Expires 5/31/2024
Enhanced Direct Deposit - Earn $300 Cash Bonus
Chase Total Checking® - $300 Bonus
Expires 4/17/2024
HSBC Premier - Earn Up to $4,000
Expires in 5 days
Discover® Cashback Checking – Up to $30/Month Cashback
Rewards Checking - Up to 3.30% APY
Expires 6/30/2024
M1 Investment Account - Up to $500 Bonus
Expires 12/31/2024
Amber Kong is a content specialist at CreditDonkey, a diamond jeweler comparison and reviews website. Write to Amber Kong at amber.kong@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.
FAQs
Bottom line: There's no hard-and-fast rule on how much cash to give as a wedding gift. Wedding experts do, however, advise starting at $100. From there, you may want to adjust up to $500 based on factors such as your relationship with the couple, your budget and the cost of your attendance at the wedding.
How much cash is enough for a wedding gift? ›
The etiquette suggests that the wedding gift amount for a guest can be about $50-100. Sisters and brothers, aunts, uncles, and nephews give $100-150. Is $100 enough for a wedding gift from a couple? Yes, it is pretty enough if you are not a mother of the bride or any other close relative.
Is $1000 too much to give as a wedding gift? ›
What is a good cash wedding gift amount for one person? If you're flying solo and just a casual friend of the bride or groom, then you can spend $75-$100 on your gift. Even if you're a super close friend of the couple, $500 is the most you should give. $2,000 might be too much.
Is $100 enough for wedding gift? ›
THE ETIQUETTE
She offers these guidelines to wedding-goers wherever they might be: A distant relative or co-worker should give $75-$100; a friend or relative, $100-$125; a closer relative, up to $150. If you are wealthy, are you expected to inflate the gift? No, Cooper says.
Is $300 a good wedding gift from a couple? ›
Upon consulting the experts, a wedding gift should range from $75 to $750—but most agree that $300+ is the sweet spot.
Is $100 enough for a bridal shower gift? ›
The Average Cost of a Bridal Shower Gift
"Many people spend around $50 to $75, whereas closer friends and family may spend upwards of $100," she says. "However, the amount you want to spend is up to you."
Is $2000 too much for a wedding gift? ›
Here's the tea: The average wedding gift cost varies, but it's usually around $100 to $150 per person or per couple. So, $2,000 is definitely on the high end, honey. But if you're super close to the couple and you can afford it without breaking the bank, then go for it!
Is $200 a good wedding gift from a couple? ›
For a colleague or acquaintance, $50 to $75 is acceptable. You can work within that range at your discretion. For a family or someone close to you, $75 to $100 and even as high as $150 is perfect. Then if you're going as a couple, it's routine to double the amount or keep it at $200.
What is a monetary gift at a wedding? ›
A monetary gift is a transfer of money or a financial instrument that has liquid value from one party to another, without receiving or expecting to receive anything in return. Giving gifts is a way to show you care.
Is $10,000 a good wedding gift? ›
At a time when wedding costs average out as $25–30K, $10K won't be enough to cover prospective costs. What you are offering is generous, and if the couple has a mind to stick to a strict budget, it would pay for most of a nice wedding, if not all. It certainly is a very generous gift.
They suggest the following breakdown: coworkers or distant relatives should spend 50 to 75 dollars. Friends or relatives, 75 to 100 dollars. For close friends, family members, or if you're in the wedding party, you should spend 100 to 150 dollars—or more.
Is giving cash as a wedding gift tacky? ›
When it comes to wedding gifts, there's no right or wrong answer on how much you should spend. It's all about your personal budget. And cash is a completely acceptable gift, says Lizzie Post, etiquette expert and co-host of Emily Post's "Awesome Etiquette" podcast. Some couples even prefer it.
Is a wedding gift cash or check? ›
Exactly how to give money as a wedding gift is up to you. A wedding check or cash is always an option, though, nowadays, many couples have a cash registry, like The Knot Cash Funds, to accept money digitally, too.
What is the average money for a wedding? ›
Wedding costs in 2022
The average wedding held in 2022, including both the ceremony and reception, cost $30,000, according to The Knot. That's the most couples have spent since 2018 ($33,931), before COVID-19. It's also $2,000 more than the 2021 average, which totaled $28,000 for the ceremony and reception.
What percentage of wedding guests don't give gifts? ›
It's a gesture of goodwill and a lovely way to express your support of the newlyweds. That said, it's highly likely that not every guest at a wedding will oblige. In fact, it's been estimated that between 7 and 10% of guests at a wedding fail to give a gift.
What is the rule of thumb for a cash wedding gift? ›
They suggest the following breakdown: coworkers or distant relatives should spend 50 to 75 dollars. Friends or relatives, 75 to 100 dollars. For close friends, family members, or if you're in the wedding party, you should spend 100 to 150 dollars—or more.
What does the groom's parents pay for in a wedding? ›
The groom's family traditionally paid for all costs associated with the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon, wedding day transportation, and the officiant. The groom paid for the bride's engagement ring, wedding ring, and groomsmen gifts. It is also common for the groom's family to pay for the alcohol at the reception.
Is $50 cash a good wedding gift? ›
The average wedding gift amount ranges from $50 to $100, according to online wedding planner and retailer Zola,1 so stick to the lower end of that range for a distant co-worker or college friend you haven't kept in touch with. Spending above that average—say, $150 or more—makes more sense for closer friends.
