I am headed to a wedding in a few weeks for a 26 year old friend of mine. I am 25 and definetly not rich, but I have no idea how much is standard to spend? 25$ 60$? Alot of the stuff on the gift registry isn't overly expensive, but is it bad taste to spend only 20 bucks or so on 2 small items? I've never had to deal with the purchase of a wedding gift before. Thanks for the advice.
2006-08-10 07:41:49 · 11 answers · asked by jeffgaron 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Never mind the "rules" of gift-giving for a wedding!
You give from your heart. If that's a $20 gift, then that's wonderful. A bride and groom should be very happy to receive any gift from any person - a handmade ornament, a check for $500, a $20 gift from a registry ... all of it is extremely special and all gifts should be received with appreciation.
If you want to go with "standard" - pretty much every web site I have read say $100.00 is appropriate for a wedding gift, $100-$200 if you are very close to the couple.
I'm getting married next yr. I'm in Massachusetts, a very expensive state for weddings (and living in general). I would NEVER expect to receive a $250.00 gift from a couple that I invited to my wedding - NEVER! I'm having a formal and expensive wedding, but that is MY choice. And I don't expect anyone to give me a gift to "cover the cost of the meal" or anything ridiculous like that. If I received a Christmas ornament from Hallmark at my wedding I would be thrilled... it's from the heart and that is what matters. I don't want anyone going broke or skipping an electric payment just so I can get a big check!!!!
One last thing ... it is not up to the guests to pay for their meals. People wrote on here that they "lose" if they only get a $30 gift when the meal cost $50. Well, sorry to say, but that's not the guest's problem. You put on the affair and they are YOUR guests. Do you expect people to bring you a $25 gift every time you invite them to dinner because that's what you spent on the food, wine, etc??? That doesn't make sense to me at all.
2006-08-10 09:42:31 · answer #1 · answered by PT&L 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It also depends on what part of the country you are in. A previous poster said their wedding was $50/person. In New Jersey, that is unheard of. A typical (not extremely fancy) wedding here is at least $125/person. So if I were going to a close friend or relative's wedding, I would give $125 ($250 if I bring my boyfriend). If it's someone I dont' really see that often and I know I'm just invited out of obligation, I give $75 ($150 if I bring a guest).
I'm so glad people answered to give the price of the plate! Someone asked this question once before and everyone ripped my head off that they would NEVER NEVER NEVER spend $125 unless it was their own sister or something. And I even said it depends on where you're from.
2006-08-10 08:38:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I got married a year ago, gifts ranged from $25 to $200 for non-family guests. I was not disappointed in $25 checks because IT WAS A GIFT. I didn't think less of someone because they gave us less.
$50 per person is appropriate. If you bring a date, then a $100 gift (or check) is fair. I'm in New England.
Just remember, the couple has spent a bit on the party that you'll be attending, and, for whatever reason, it is appropriate to reciprocate with a gift of some sort.
2006-08-10 07:56:40 · answer #3 · answered by Ciliciam 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here's my 2 cents:
If they are close friends of yours they will know that you can't afford a HUGE present and I'm sure that would be OK with them.
If you aren't super close, then I say it's OK not to buy a huge gift. I mean, you wouldn't expect an acquaintence to buy a big gift for you.
Anyway, I think about $25 is fine to spend if that's what you can spare. That's probably why the couple registered for some inexpensive things, so people who couldn't afford a huge gift could still get them something off the registry.
2006-08-10 07:49:55 · answer #4 · answered by Laura 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whatever you can afford. This question is asked at least several times a day, so check the search box for previous answers that you can compare to the ones you receive here.
I usually spend $50 on friends and acquaintances and well over $150 for people I am close to.
And yes, please use the registry. It makes it soooo much easier for the couple.
2006-08-10 12:47:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't buy things on the registry just give them a card with money. They are not going to want to lug around a bunch of gifts the night of thier wedding to their hotel and on to their honeymoon! Think about where the wedding is at. If you are going alone then you need to give at least 30-50 dollars. If you have a date then it needs to be 70-100 dollars. I had an average wedding at a country club and it cost me about 50 dollars per person. So if someone gave me 20 dollars I ended up losing money. Or if a family of 5 showed up and gave only 70 dollars I lost. But if they know that you can only afford so much then only give what you can. I was not offended when people could not give me a certain amount. But I do have that amount recorded so that when I go to their wedding I can return the same amount back to them. So if you gave me a nasty crystal bowl that you know I would never like and it costed you 30 dollars, you can bet your bottom dollar I will only spend 30 dollars on something tacky also. I know it sounds mean but people really need to think about it. Weddings are not cheap things to put on and most likely the bride and groom are going broke to do it.
One more thing, we would have been sleeping in our car on our honeymoon if people brought gifts! We had no money to our names the night of our wedding, spent every last dime we had.
2006-08-10 08:32:31 · answer #6 · answered by michiganwife 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
There is no appropriate amount. You gift based on your own budget and your affection for the couple. There are no other rules that factor into how much you should spend.
2006-08-10 10:37:43 · answer #7 · answered by Etiquette Gal 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
YES IT IS IN BAD TASTE! I am 22 and I spend a minimum of $120. If I bring a date $200. I usually give cash because many friends and family members that have got married said they appreciated the cash more then the gifts. With the cash they can buy EXACTLY what they want or bring it on their honeymoon.
2006-08-10 07:49:18 · answer #8 · answered by pablo h 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No less than $50. Should be closer to $100.
2006-08-10 09:55:29 · answer #9 · answered by Think.for.your.self 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it really depends on what kind of wedding it'll be. typically people "pay for their meals". so - if the reception dinner is costing the bride and groom $100 per person you give $100.
2006-08-10 08:16:41 · answer #10 · answered by fuzzyblue 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋