How much money is appropriate to give as a wedding gift?

Question

A friend invited me to her wedding but I declined the invitation. I'd still like to give her a gift, and I was thinking cash or a gift card... How much $$ is appropriate? Both her and I are in our early 20s and are students.

Answer 1

I agree $50 is the usual minimum. But if you are as broke as most students, then give whatever you can afford. Most registeries will have at least a few things in the $20 range. Or maybe you can combine your funds with another friend and get the bride something off the registery together. Afterall, I'm sure your friend has invited you bc she wants to share her special day with you, and not for the gift you can give.

Answer 2

You should give a gift that at least covers the cost of the expense of having you. A nice wedding with a catered dinner costs $20 to $50 or more a person for the meal alone, plus around $3 for the cake, $3 for the favor, and possibly $5 for the drinks if there's an open bar. Since you're not going, you're safe to be at the bottom of the price.

Answer 3

Bollox to a minimum amount, if you truly want to give her a gift, then give her something your budget can afford - even if it's only a $4.99 can opener.

Alternatively, another nice thing would be to make her a gift - buy some scrapbooking material and make her a scrapbook for wedding day memories, get some fabric in her wedding colours and make 2 placemats (don't know what you call them in the US, in the UK it's what you put under a hot plate to stop the table being scorched) etc.

Answer 4

There is no minimum, especially since you are not going. If she is truly a friend she will understand that money is tight. When I am broke, I usually pick a small item from the registry (about $35) or give a gift card ($25) to the place they've chosen for their registry. Either way, include a nice note and be done with it.

Answer 5

When we got married, one of the managers at my work got us $25 gift cards for Olive Garden and Red Lobster, and it was great. We were too broke after the wedding to have gone out to a nice dinner if we hadn't gotten the gift cards, and $25 was just about right for a dinner for two to be affordable (no more than a fast food meal after you subtracted the $25).

Answer 6

If giving cash, $100 is good. If you're buying an actual gift, spending $50 is good. You can give a mix of money and a gift.

You can also get creative. Make something that is unique, like a gift basket of stuff the couple could use. Think practical and fun.

Answer 7

How much would you spend buying her a gift? I would say $25-$50 any less and you'll look cheap. If she is registered somewhere you can send her a gift card or you can get an online gift card that is pretty much open to online purchases in general.

Answer 8

I think about $50 is about right. Send them a check in a lovely wedding card,and the card enclosed that you declined the invitation. That will be just fine.

Answer 9

I'm with Sue on this one! If you can't afford anything, a tissue given with love is more than money in a card.

When my fiance's cousin got married, I had no job and more bills than I care to remember. I got her a Glade Plug-In in her favorite scent, and splurged by buying the one with the extra outlet. She understood the situation, laughed and appreciated what I could do. (I still bring her refills, five years later. And she still uses the thing!)

I am in my early 20's and getting married. If my friend declined to come I would hope to goodness it wasn't because they didn't have money for a gift. I'd rather be surrounded by my loved ones than have whatever gifts. If you can't go due to money issues, send a card with a hand written note. If you can't go do to prior obligation, send a card with a hand written note.

Answer 10

At my wedding, I received cash/gift cards in the amount of $20-$50. We received more from grandparents and parents but my friends usually gave me amounts between there.