Anyone been to a wedding lately?

[Mercy]

I'm going to one on Friday night. It's my cousin's son's wedding so I'm not really all that close to them. Anyway, I was wondering how much a proper wedding gift would be. I will probably give them a check and I don't want to be cheap but I do want to be fair.... so anyone know what the going rate is lately?

 

[snoopy]

I would think $25 per person, $50 per couple would be minimum. We usually give $100 (from DH and I).

 

[Chattyaholic]

For a distant family member that I don't know well, I would probably give a check for $25 or $30 or buy a gift from their gift registry around that amount. I'd do more for someone I knew better.

 

[CamColt]

I agree with Snoopy. If its a couple you arent close with Id say 50.00 minimum. We usually give 100.00.

 

[helenabear]

I agree with the $50 min per couple... although the closer I am to the couple, the more I spend.

 

[tkd lisa]

I think it depends a little bit on where you are. If you are in the capitol district of MD, I'd consider that a high cost area, and $50 would be the lowest I'd give.

If you're in the more rural section, somewhere between $30 and $50 is reasonable.

I know some people have different opinions on this, but if I'm unsure, I base it on the how much the family spends for me to attend. For instance, if it's a church wedding with a cake and punch reception, $30 is probably enough. But if the reception is a sit down dinner with open bar and DJ/band, I'd think that $75 would be the minimum I'd give.

Just my opinion, and I know some people feel differently.

Have a good time at the wedding.

 

[Lars624]

DH's cousin's son got married last weekend & we gave them 80.00.

 

[Tony-NJ]

usually give $100. Or if it's someone very close then it's between $200 and $300.

 

[IloveDMB]

I'm sorry, but I think $100 should be the minimum per couple. As a banquet waitress, I know how expensive weddings should be, and I was always taught to at least cover the cost of the plate.

It also depends on what kind of place you are going to, buffet is cheaper then sit down, band vs. dj, black tie vs. cocktail attire. These people invited you to join in their special day and are probably not as concerned with how much you give, but people remember what was given to them.

 

[Big Dude]

Weddings are not as cheap as they used to be. I base my gift on various factors. If I do not know the couple that well, I do a little research into where the wedding is taking place. If it is in a banquet hall, you can get an idea of a price per person for a typical wedding package by going to their webpage or calling them. I know in NJ that can range from $30.00 to $150.00 per person.

If the couple is charged, say, $50.00 per plate and my wife and I are both attending, I want to cover the cost of the dinner ($100.00 plus probably an additional $100.00 for the "gift" part). If I know the couple really good, the gift would be greater. If I cannot attend then I would send something a little less.

Hope you have a great time.

Adam aka Big Dude

 

[JKMastalski]

$100 is our minimum that we give. We got married last October, and even "fairly distant" relatives gave us $150 - $250 a couple. I think that it depends on the type of wedding, and where it is held.

 

[TwinMom7]

I at least try and cover the cost of the meal and drinks for my husband and myself. I usually estimate that if we went out for a nice dinner and a couple of drinks each, that we would spend a minimum of $50, so that's where I start. Nothing less than $50.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

We never give less than $150.00 and usually give $250.00. I know that here in NJ weddings are really expensive and sometimes I bet the $150.00 wouldn't even cover our plate. When we got married 10 years ago, I don't recall getting anything under $100.00.

I suppose in other parts of the country this may seem like alot but here it is the going rate.

 

[believe]

In the area I live a typical wedding gift ranges from $25-50. Most individuals, that I know of, do not base it on what the couples choice was for a wedding/reception. Cost of living is different, so what may be $100 in one area could be the same as $50 for another area.

 

[disykat]

I'm one who thinks basing the gift on the cost of the wedding is terrible. I think you should give what you can afford and feel like giving. I hate to think we live in a world where there's an "cover charge" for weddings.

 

[Pam]

In the area I live a typical wedding gift ranges from $25-50. Most individuals, that I know of, do not base it on what the couples choice was for a wedding/reception.

That's how it is around here, too.

I'm sorry - but I don't believe you should have to cover the cost of the wedding/reception in your gift to the couple. The newlyweds decide what kind of wedding they want and how much it will cost. If they can't afford a big wedding, they shouldn't be having it. Personally - we had cake and ice cream - and our wedding was paid in full when we walked down the aisle, and we had a house with a nice sized down payment.

 

[Kimberle]

In my area, ('burbs of NYC) I would not give less than $200. I generally spend $75 on the shower gift, too.

 

[dcgrumpy]

We usually give $250

 

[katerkat]

I hate the "cover the cost of your plate" theory. I didn't have my wedding in an expensive/cheap place based on the gifts I thought I might get. I think people should give what they can afford and they think is appropriate. We give presents from the registry in the $50-75 range. (Just DH and I.) When we're older and make more money, we plan on giving more.

 

[lil mermaid]

I really hate that "cover the cost of the plate" idea. If the couple wants the "cost of their plates" covered, they should charge admission. Sheesh.

Anyway, DH and I usually give $100, more if its a relative or close friend.