What is the average a person spends on a wedding gift?

Question

To be considerate is it true that the guest buy a gift that covers their dinner plates. Another question? have any of you ever had a wedding and your gust didn't bring any gifts or no of some one? Please tell.

Answer 1

Cheap wedding: 25 dollars
Friends: 75 dollars
Family: 150 and up
Expensive wedding: 150 dollars an up.

Etiquette dictates that you should at least cover the price of your dinner and then add some.

Good luck

Answer 2

I don't know about the size or price of a gift being of any relevance whatsoever. I would guess that a typical gift would cost around $30. That would cover the cost of an appliance like a toaster or a few towels, and that's what gifts are supposed to be: things to help set up house. A family member might spend $100 or more. Just depends. If you and all your friends are rich, maybe $1000 gifts (or even $10,000) are more in your price range.

When I got married, some of my friends were very, very poor, and I recall getting some very inexpensive, and even handmade items of a crafty nature. I had a small wedding and cherished those gifts. Now, they are tucked away, all wrapped, even though value wise they are just worth the sentimental value.

As for guests with no gifts... well, a gift is not a requirement is it? Isn't the reason you invite guests because you'd like them to share your special day? A gift is not required in my opinion. Nor is showing up to the wedding with the gift in hand required. It can be given in private, or mailed, or even come many months later.

Answer 3

I have been a bridesmaid for 15 weddings including maid of honor 3 times. I can tell you that there are quite a few guests (usually single men) that do not bring at least a token towards the celebration. Of the 15 weddings I have been a part of, some were extravagant with all of the frills and $100 per head for dinner and some that were very casual with a barbeque that everyone brought a plate to pass. Most of the time, the bride and groom are far to pre-occupied to worry about how much someone spent on their gift.

Here's a clue though:
If you are considered by the bride or groom to be part of their circle of friends (usually indicated by being invited to the shower/bachelor party), make sure that your gift is something personal. Your gift should reflect your relationship, for example, if you all watch the Red Sox, you could get tickets to the next game, or a concert of their favorite artist. your gift should show that you know them well enough to get them something they will use or like.

If you are a relative and not in the wedding party and/or were not invited to the shower/bachelor party, something off of their gift registry would be appropriate. You don't have to spend a lot and you could also go in with someone else to purchase a larger ticket item.

The bride and groom will no doubt have several people on their list that are strapped for cash (college students, recently divorced couples, etc.). A simple bottle of wine or champagne is more than enough for them to know you want to be part of their celebration.

I have heard the "pay for your dinner" guideline before but unless you are handing them cash, that is money already spent and a third toaster does not help defray the cost of the meal. The reception is often paid for my the bride's parents as well (although not always). Also, as I said before, until you show up to the reception it would be hard to guage how much is being spent per plate.

The bottom line is that no one expects you to get a gift that is out of your means of living. If you are attending a fancy reception, then the couple has enough money that they don't worry about such petty things as how much the gift cost you. If the event is a bbq style casual affair, they are probably hoping for more personal and useful gifts or things to get them out of the house (dinner for two, house cleaning coupons, etc.).

Answer 4

I would say that it all depends on how well you know the person and how close you are. If it is a good friend or a sibling then I would spend more then if it was some one that I knew from work or throw someone. On close family/friends I spend around $100 and on other people I spend about $50 (all depending on how many weddings I have been invited to during the past few months....sorry but the more weddings that I have to go to the less that I spend on the gifts.)

Answer 5

It depends on how close I am to the bride and groom--or their families. I've spent anywhere from $30 to well over $150 on wedding gifts. I've never read that guests should spend what it costs to cover their dinner. And yes, there were guests at my wedding that didn't bring gifts. While I think it's somewhat impolite to not bring a gift, I wouldn't be judgmental of someone who didn't either. Gifts are from the giver, the givee should never dictate what type of gifts someone gives them. And all gifts should be graciously accepted, and acknowledged with a thank you note.

Answer 6

A lot depends on how much I like the person, but many prefer money or gift cards to gifts. I usually spend around $30, always give a gift receipt with the gift, or do it the easy way and give money. At my wedding we received both gifts and money, and yes, some people did not give a gift. I figured that maybe they were having a rough time and couldn't afford it, I didn't get married for a gift anyway.

Answer 7

Depends on culture. For instance my wedding chinese/vietnamese, the gifts are all money. But I invited my co-workers and bosses who are all american or mexican and don't know about the culture. They felt uncomfortable giving money, so most gave gift certificates. My average that I got would be around $50. a person. Closer family members gave more.

Now for chinese (my husband's side), they have cultures that differ. For family members, if they are not married, they are not required to give money. So some of his working cousins did not give money at all. Which wasn't very nice but what are we to say?

I think it would customary to give the amount that would help the newlyweds cover the dinner. That's the unspoken rule in the asian culture, don't know about others though.

Answer 8

Etiquette says you should bring a gift to the wedding couple but it's not mandatory. The gift amount purchased is entirely up to the individual buying the gift.

I myself have re-gifted if I've received something that I didn't care for or didn't have the receipts to return. If you re-gift make sure the gift is given to someone outside your immediate circle of friends.

Gifts to a wedding are just tokens of love that you feel towards the person getting married. My mother re-married in May of this year and the gift I gave her was one of my hand painted artworks that I matted and framed. My brother gave her nothing!! (rude)

Answer 9

The cost of a gift depends on who you are giving it to and how much you think of them. We have given gifts ranging from $25 to $1500. And yes, I have attended weddings where some guests didn't bring gifts. You don't have to , but most people want to give one.

Answer 10

It really depends on how shallow or materialistic the bride and groom are. If all you want is gifts, then you'll of course want expensive gifts. If, however, you are more concerned about having your loved ones around, you'll be happy with what they can afford. The real question is, are your friends and family important enough to you that you don't expect them to pay admission in the form of a gift? Will you be content with their sharing in your happy day, even if they can only afford to spend ten dollars? It's all a matter of perspective.

Answer 11

I think $100 is average on what people spend on a wedding gift. A few people didn't bring me wedding gifts for my wedding and I really didn't care because it was a celebration of love.