What is a typical wedding gift ($) these days?

[busy mom]

Attending a friend of my daughters wedding and have not been to a wedding in ages...what is an acceptable amount to give?

My belief is that you should give what you can afford, and the amount should not be considered to cover the cost of your meal. It is not intended to pay for the dinner, but used by the bride/groom for what they chose.

That said, I don't want to underestimate and appear cheap (but things are a little tight right now).

Any opinions???

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Well I am not sure what you are wanting to hear but to me the least amount acceptable for me to give would be to at minimum cover the meal. You said you do not want to consider that. I am sure that the bride and groom would appreciate any gift. It really depends on the event as too what would be considered "cheap". 50.00 at a upscale evening event in downtown location versus 50.00 for a event held at the local veterans hall at midday. Different.


ETA: If you do not cover the cost of your attendance the bride and groom do not really get to "Choose" what they want to spend the gift on. This is probably less of a issue if the parents or some other party is paying or if the bridge and groom are established.

 

[whoopsiedoodle]

I never thought the "cover the meal" idea was very classy IMO. You are a guest and it shouldn't be an issue. That being said, where we are from and the people we know, whatever you can give is perfectly acceptable. When we got married we were thrilled with $20! It may be different in different parts of the country though. Give what you can and just be happy to spend a wonderful day with wonderful people.

 

[beansmom]

I never thought the "cover the meal" idea was very classy IMO. You are a guest and it shouldn't be an issue. That being said, where we are from and the people we know, whatever you can give is perfectly acceptable. When we got married we were thrilled with $20! It may be different in different parts of the country though. Give what you can and just be happy to spend a wonderful day with wonderful people.

exaclty.

These days weddings seem to be more mercenary than celebratory. We requested no gifts at our wedding but certainly never thought that anyone but us would be covering the cost of the reception ourselves.

 

[disney1990]

I look over the wedding gift list and pick something that I like and that I can comfortable afford to purchase. Other than that, I don't give the price any additional thought.

 

[spel]

In our area (North Jersey), $200 seems to be the minimum that a couple ($100 for an individual) gives at a formal, evening event (a bit pricey IMO). However, I think that anything you feel comfortable with is fine & will be appreciated by the bride & groom.

 

[LovesTimone]

If it is someone who I am close to... family or very close friends, would be 150.00 to 200.00. For a coworker or casual friends around 100.00.

For shower gifts, I look at the registery, and either pick a gift or send a gift card to that store so they can get what they really need later. If someone hasn't registered them, I will give GC to BBB they seem to have a little bit of everything or AMEX GC . But I have asked the person giving the shower when RSVP'ing what they really wanted or requested, and I have been told they need or would like ...., resturant gift cards as well as publix GC, that I know went to pay for part of the wedding cake.

I would give what you can, most couple's are very happy with that fact that you shared their special day, and gave a gift at all.

 

[chigirl]

In Chicago, it is $200 per couple typically, unless you know the people VERY well or they are family. Then it is like $300/350.

 

[cluvsdisney]

We usually give around $200-250 but more for family and very close friends.

 

[blessedby3]

Wow...those are some pricey amounts! My dd22 just got married in July. She got checks from family anywhere from $50-$1000 (the $1000 came from grandparents...2 sets). We had a few close friends give $100, but most gave gift cards or checks between $25-$50.

 

[JDX4]

We usually give $200 per couple, a bit more if they are very close friends or family. We are in southern Connecticut.

However, I think that any gift is fine, as long as it is something you think the newlyweds will like. Once we gave a couple a smaller amount of cash plus an oil painting that my husband painted. They were always complimenting the paintings that we have hanging in our house that he painted, so we thought that they might like one for their new house.

When we got married 18 years ago, a friend gave us a set of sheets for our bed at the wedding. They weren't anything fancy, but they were a gift from the heart. I love them and still use those sheets today!

 

[lisaross]

what state is the wedding in ?

Attending a friend of my daughters wedding and have not been to a wedding in ages...what is an acceptable amount to give?

My belief is that you should give what you can afford, and the amount should not be considered to cover the cost of your meal. It is not intended to pay for the dinner, but used by the bride/groom for what they chose.

That said, I don't want to underestimate and appear cheap (but things are a little tight right now).

Any opinions???

 

[mad madam mim78]

Holy moley 200 bucks??? I have 3 weddings to go to within a month. I would be dirt poor. I give according to how close I am to the couple. Cousins 50. Friends 50. Brothers and sisters 100. I'm in the Midwest though. I'm sure it's different in other parts of the country.

 

[busy mom]

Wow, quite a range out there...we are in central New York (not the city).

 

[Dizisfun]

$50 is the norm for us to give......

 

[runwad]

Holy moley 200 bucks??? I have 3 weddings to go to within a month. I would be dirt poor. I give according to how close I am to the couple. Cousins 50. Friends 50. Brothers and sisters 100. I'm in the Midwest though. I'm sure it's different in other parts of the country.

This is what we do too.

 

[lizabu]

We always give $200 as a couple. Thats pretty average where I live.

 

[bzkds]

I have 2 daughters who will are just about marriageable age. If either one of them "expected" anyone's gift to cover the cost of their meals, I would put a stop to that immediately. Invite people you care about, go to weddings for people you care about, give what you can afford or want to give. People are there to share your day, that is the end of it. For the record, I usually give a gift from the registry, probably $30-$50 average.

 

[4GoofyCrew]

Yowzers! Glad I don't live out east! $200!?!?

We typical give $50 or spend that on their registry item(s).

 

[triciari]

We always give $200 as a couple. Thats pretty average where I live.

Same for us. New England is a good place to get married, I guess!