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

[Caseheidi]

We are in Oregon, and for friends I would say $30 - $50. More for Family and close Friends. I just can't imagine giving $200 for a wedding gift, especially if they aren't real close friends.

 

[sharonW]

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.

I Agree....$200 in this area

 

[MinnieForMe]

I Agree....$200 in this area

That would be pretty close here in New Hampshire too! I give $150.00 but I know my inlaws give closer to $300 so I figure it averages out!

$50 seems extremely low! Actually, that's the amount I would spend on the shower gift.

 

[ICF]

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.

Sounds about right for this midwesterner too

 

[msmama]

I always thought the "cover the cost of the meal" idea was just a guideline. I know they are not actually using that to pay for the wedding - kind of like %s for tips or how much per number of bags.

Anyway, I personally would feel uncomfortable giving less than $50, BUT I would give a GC in a smaller amount (maybe $25 - enough to cover dinner for 2 - at a casual place to eat).

 

[westjones]

Is it better to give cash or check? Or does it matter.

My niece is getting married next year and this will be our first wedding in 15 years.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

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 I would do too

 

[triciari]

Is it better to give cash or check? Or does it matter.

My niece is getting married next year and this will be our first wedding in 15 years.

Not sure. But, if you give a check, make it out to just one person - it takes a while to process name changes, adjust bank accounts, etc. I'd say make it out either to the groom, or the bride, but if to the bride, use her maiden name.

 

[Anastasia]

I really think that you need to ask people in the area where you live. It varies wildly betwen different parts of the country.

As far as "covering your plate", I have always thought that was ridiculous. I have always given the same amount to the bride and groom whether their wedding was at a fancy venue, or a firehall.

ETA:I would give a check, made out to one person. Too risky to have cards with cash floating around.

 

[2girls4me]

$200 close friend
$300 family, where one of us is in the bp(not immediate family; cousins and
$500 sibling wedding.

But this is LI, so my numbers will not match most other responses on here.

 

[LisaRN97]

We are in Northwest NJ and just went to a wedding this past weekend - we gave $350 (and I felt that was a smaller amount). The bride and her family have been close family friends for years. That being said, we got married 10 years in central NJ and the average gift we received was around $200. I think it all depends on location etc.

 

[westjones]

Not sure. But, if you give a check, make it out to just one person - it takes a while to process name changes, adjust bank accounts, etc. I'd say make it out either to the groom, or the bride, but if to the bride, use her maiden name.

Oh good point! I think I will go with cash so she doesn't have to deal with that. I don't even know the groom, so I would want to make it out to my niece and to be honest, I hate waiting for checks to clear so I can balance my check book, so I would prefer cash myself.

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

We're in Long Island, NY An acceptable gift is $100+ for individuals. $200+ for couples. Of course it depends on whose wedding it is. For example, my cousin just got married and we gave her $500. Her parents, my aunt and uncle gave us $1000. My husband's high school best friend just got married and we gave her $300. She had also given us $300 when we got married. My friend is getting married at the end of the month, we will give her $200. She gave us $100 as an individual. My other friend is getting married in November. She told us she expects $300+ from her guests! We found that a bit rude to be told what we should give. We are giving her $250. Again basing it off of what she gave us and what we can afford. She gave us $125 as an individual. Plus we have to get a hotel room because it is 5 hours away. We have another wedding that same day and are giving $250 to that couple as well. We were invited to my husband's client's wedding but are not going and sent $150. Weddings over here are expensive to have and attend lol.

 

[megan10310]

We are in Kansas. Most people give $40-50 per couple. Or less. We had lots of cards with $10-20 in them and we were delighted...many people wrote heartfelt things or gave personalized handmade gifts. I couldn't tell you how much any one person gave bc I didn't keep track except to write thank you's.

Of course, we had a BBQ buffet complete with a whole hog at the reception....so....we aren't super fancy!

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

Oh good point! I think I will go with cash so she doesn't have to deal with that. I don't even know the groom, so I would want to make it out to my niece and to be honest, I hate waiting for checks to clear so I can balance my check book, so I would prefer cash myself.

We give cash as well. But be careful not to lose that envelope before you give it to the bride and groom. My mom lost my sister's card to my cousin at the cocktail hour. Luckily, it was a check inside and my brother in law cancelled it immediately. If you lose an envelope with cash, you are sol!

 

[Tiger926]

We are in a very ethnic influenced (heavy Italian and Lebanese community) so $150-200 is average here.

We usually spend $50-60 on a shower gift for cousins or friends, but for best friends, cousins and siblings we might spend over $100 for the engagement or shower gift (sometimes we attend both).

Some of the amounts mentioned are seriously low - $30? I spend $50-60 on my nieces for a birthday gift and $100+ for religious ceremonies.

Our weddings are also alcohol included (we don't drink), so between a meal and drinks it is costly, so we absolutely cover the cost of our food and dessert, plus extra for a gift.

Interesting thread, Tiger

 

[a1tinkfans]

$200 close friend
$300 family, where one of us is in the bp(not immediate family; cousins and
$500 sibling wedding.

But this is LI, so my numbers will not match most other responses on here.

similar. sometimes more when the times are really good...thats not now

 

[rdominy]

Some of this just seems insane to me. We typically do $25. That's about what we received from even close friends and family when we got married. I'm from a small town in east Texas and most couples make less than $3000 per month. We were grateful that they were part of the celebration and then anything they wanted to give was just extra. In my opinion people have lost their minds when it comes to paying for a wedding now so it doesn't surprise me that much that people expect to get a lot as a gift.

 

[Tiger926]

Some of this just seems insane to me. We typically do $25. That's about what we received from even close friends and family when we got married. I'm from a small town in east Texas and most couples make less than $3000 per month. We were grateful that they were part of the celebration and then anything they wanted to give was just extra. In my opinion people have lost their minds when it comes to paying for a wedding now so it doesn't surprise me that much that people expect to get a lot as a gift.

I am confused why you think it's insane to give a larger amount than $25.00?

I spend more than that on my kids' friends' birthday parties, but I wouldn't call you insane for not spending what we spend.

It's a gift for a couple starting their lives together, so we have no problem with giving larger amounts.

Find it funny on a Disney travel message board where people have no issue with spending $100 to eat runny eggs with Mickey Mouse, yet it's "insane" to give that amount as a wedding gift to a couple...

Such an interesting thread, Tiger

 

[rdominy]

I guess I should qualify my statement. If you have been blessed enough to be able to bless someone else like that...that's awesome! More the insanity comes when it is expected. I don't know anyone that could afford that so its out of my realm of comfort. As for Disney...we will spend less than $1000 out of pocket for three of us on a ten day trip with the dining plan. Lots of discounts rewards points and tricks.
Again, I appreciate the people who give from their heart...I would just hate for someone to feel like that's what they have to give because that's expected.