How Much To Give for a Wedding: To Please the Happy Couple

So, you’ve been invited to a wedding. Now the struggle begins with how much you want to and can spend for those you love. How much to give for a wedding depends on many factors, like your relationship and whether you’re attending or not.

Don’t end up on the grumpy side of the happy couple whose wedding you attend. Let us walk you through the best protocol for how much to spend on a wedding gift. All your favorite newly married couple will say is, “thank you!”

How Much to Give for a Wedding

The average spend on wedding gifts is $100. Family members spend more than the average, at about $127, while a co-worker or friend generally spends between $50 and $75. A minimum of $50 is a good start toward how much to spend at a wedding.

Table of Contents

Is Giving Cash a Good Wedding Gift?
How Much to Give For a Wedding
How to Determine an Appropriate Wedding Gift Amount
Wedding Gift Etiquette

Is Giving Cash a Good Wedding Gift?

Rest assured that giving cash at a wedding is a thoughtful plan of action. It can contribute to the honeymoon fund or to a life goal the couple hopes to achieve. Cash is a terrific gift to come in handy for two people starting their life together.

How Much to Give For a Wedding

How much money to give for a wedding is determined by many factors. Most people spend within a price range of $75 to $200 on cash or a gift. Use our organized gift calculator breakdown if you’re unsure how much to give.

Close Family

If you’re an immediate relative of the bride or groom, the average amount of cash given is $200. This includes parents and siblings, although grandparents and aunts/uncles may also want to contribute this amount. A generous wedding gift of cash can help a couple’s life begin on a prosperous note.

Good Friends

A good friend or best friend of the couple getting married can give between $100 and $125. You may be one of the most important people in the bride or groom’s life. In that case, this is a suitable amount for friends to offer at their wedding.

Bridal Party or Groomsmen

One hundred and twenty-five dollars is a typical wedding gift amount if you are part of the bridal party or a groomsman. Wedding party members are usually among the bride or groom’s most cherished friends or family. A gift of this magnitude also depends on what you may have already spent as part of the wedding.

Extended Family

Extended family members include those who aren’t a close part of the bride or groom’s life. These family members give between $75 and $100 or about $300 to $400 total from a family of four. If you’re a cousin who’s also besties with the bride, you can give more. If you’re an in-law who lives far away and never sees the couple, perhaps $50 to $60 is more standard.

Co-workers

It’s polite for co-workers to usually give between $75 and $100 to the couple when attending a wedding. Of course, you may be one of the bride or groom’s best friends or taking part in the wedding. You can then give as much as good friends or the bridal party do.

Casual Friends and Acquaintances

Like co-workers, acquaintances give between $75 and $100 towards a couple’s wedding gift or monetary fund. At the very least, $50 is a good minimum to start with. The couple is taking the time to invite you to their special day, so $50 – $75 is considered customary.

How to Determine an Appropriate Wedding Gift Amount

Consider these factors when you decide how much money to give at a wedding.

Quid Pro Quo: Regardless of your relationship, ask yourself how much the couple has spent on you. If you’re part of the wedding party, this may mean a luxurious rehearsal dinner or gathering. The wedding itself may include an exotic location or a high-end meal.
Your Salary: Even if you want to give a set amount for a couple on their wedding, take your budget into account. If you’re not making enough to provide the amounts listed here, give less. If you wish to (and can) splurge on the lovebirds, feel free to do that too.
Type of Wedding: The money you give as a wedding gift might be affected by the type of wedding they’re throwing. If it’s a low-key affair, this may free you up to be more generous. If you find yourself spending a lot to attend a destination wedding, the amount you give might be somewhat less.
RSVP: If you can’t attend the wedding but still wish to send a gift, $50 is considered the going rate. Your relationship also changes the appropriate wedding gift amount you send the couple in a wedding card.
Group/Plus One: It’s considered appropriate for a group to give at least $50 each if they pool their resources. This is also true if you all plan to use your cash or check contributions towards an extravagant gift; rather, the “plus one” isn’t expected to give a gift. The main invitee of the pair might give $150 instead of $75 to $100.

Wedding Gift Etiquette

Is $500 a Good Wedding Gift?

The typical range of wedding gifts falls between $50 and $500 per guest. $500 sits at the top of that range, so it’s a very generous gift for a couple to receive. It would be an appropriate gift for a parent to give their son or daughter getting married. The best man or maid of honor could offer $500 for the bride and groom to put to good use. The amount given per couple should reflect two guests instead of one.

How Much Do You Give for a Wedding Gift if Not Attending?

If you’re unable to attend a wedding in person, spending $50 on a gift is a good amount to go by. If you’re a very close friend or relation of the couple, it’s ok to spend more if in your budget. $75 to $100 is a nice way to let the bride and groom know you wish you could be there.

Can You Give a Group Wedding Gift?

When a group of wedding guests combines forces to buy an expensive item, they can spoil the couple. This way, the guests can get the couple something together that they couldn’t necessarily afford individually. A group gift is a great choice for members of a wedding party who might otherwise feel tapped out after spending on wedding attire, showers, and parties.

Do You Have to Buy a Wedding Gift for a Destination Wedding?

Even though destination weddings can be expensive for guests, it’s still polite to give the couple a wedding gift. Of course, if they say “no gifts” on the wedding invitation, you might be off the hook. If not, you can still save money by going the sentimental route with your gift. A framed photo, scrapbook, or handmade item will touch their heart and save your wallet.

Can You Buy Gifts That Aren’t on the Wedding Registry?

No rules of etiquette say that you have to give a couple a gift from their wedding registry.However, the off-registry gift you choose must be very special and something you know they really want. Personal gifts that keep their interests and lifestyle in mind will wow them no matter where they come from.

Should I Pay More if I Have a Plus One?

You are not obligated to spend more on a wedding gift when you bring a plus one. However, things change if your relationship with the bride and groom is very close. You can then spend double the amount or at least tack something extra onto the original cost of the gift.

Do You Give Cash or a Check for a Wedding Gift?

Both cash and a check are acceptable ways to give a wedding gift to those you love. Couples love the immediacy of cash. If you’re not attending the wedding, a check is a secure way to get your gift safely in their hands, as only the person whose name is on the check can cash it.

When Do You Give the Couple the Wedding Gift?

If attending the wedding, either send the gift to the couple before the ceremony or bring it with you. Gifts are traditionally placed on a table at the wedding reception. If you aren’t attending, the polite thing to do is send your wedding gift within three months after the wedding day. It’s a good idea to purchase your wedding gift once you receive the invitation, so there’s plenty of time.