What is an appropriate amount to give as present for a wedding?

Question

One of my friends invited me to her wedding but on the invitation says "No boxed gifts" probably because after the wedding she will be moving to another state. I was thinking about giving her money (cash), or a gift card for a national retailer on a congratualations card, but I don't know what would be best, well mannered or how much.

Any suggestions?? How much should I give her??

I was thinking $50 is that too low?

Answer 1

It's nice that you are worried about being well mannered, because obviously your friend is not. Extremely tacky to mention anything about a gift on an invitation. Gifts should never ever be expected.

A gift card like you mentioned would be nice and well received I am sure. Depending on how close this friend is I would say that $50 is nice. If this is someone you have known since childhood and is a really good friend I would go with $100. But spend what you can afford. If $50 is in your budget then spend $50.

Answer 2

It's tacky to indicate a type of gift on an invitation. That being said, $50 is appropriate if that is what you can afford. The point is to give a gift to help the couple as they start out in life without breaking your own bank. If you would prefer a gift card, a card to a place where she can "set up shop" would be good, such as Home Depot or Crate and Barrel or Amazon.

The idea that you have to "cover the cost of your meal" is ridiculous, and any etiquette guide would agree. You are an invited guest of the bride and groom, not a paying customer of the reception hall. If they cannot afford what they are spending per person, they should not spend that much. The whole idea is bizarre to me. If one of my friends was having a picnic wedding, and the other was having a $300 plated banquet, I would give the same value gift. My friendship and my budget dictates what I spend.

Answer 3

Normally it is tacky to mention gifts on an invitation.

For me it depends on how close I am to the person. Also where I live in the US it is acceptable and preferred to give a check or gift certificate. Many places in the US this is not true. I try to give minimally what it would cost them per person at the wedding (or any party), but that is if it is in my budget. If it is someone special I give considerably more.

I know people who do not write the check until they get to the wedding. I find that tacky also.

I wouldn't worry about well mannered after the invitation you received. Write a check and wish them well on a card.

I can't say if $50 is enough. Most weddings I go to cost around $100 per person, but I have been to a few around $25 a person.

Just wanted to add a Q & A from another site.

Question:
When giving money as a gift for a couple, how much money should one give? Is there a general rule as to how much to give?

Answer:
There is no set rule if you decide to give money (a check) to the bride and groom. You can give whatever amount you like. Most times guests give enough to cover at least the cost of their dinner.

Answer 4

My family usually has a rule of about $50 per person attending. That can usually cover at least most of the cost for you to attend. however, go with what you feel is appropriate based on how close you are and what kind of wedding it is.

As a newlywed, I can tell you that gift cards are nice (especially if they are moving out of state) but make sure it's a store that has their style of items.


Just whatever you do...do NOT get them turkey shaped pasta, an unsealed jar of spaghetti sauce, and a chipped casserole dish! I speak from personal experience on this! :o)

Answer 5

You supply an suited volume to your financial organisation account and your funds. And evaluate that it is your brother and his fiancee who you do not go at the same time with. I even tend to offer fairly much less whilst i'm not attending the marriage, and not ingesting and ingesting and dancing. I gave a pal's daughter, who I had never met, $70. the unique present grew to become into $50, yet I gave her $20 greater because of fact her outdoors ceremony at a gazebo have been given rained out. i might tend to offer greater to family than i might a pal. I gave a co-workers daughter , who I somewhat knew, her daughter I have been presented to, and that i did not bypass to the marriage, a decision of kitchen contraptions that value me

Answer 6

$50 sounds about right. and do money, I can't tell you how many wal-mart gift cards I got, money works everywhere, and with her being in a new home, she needs the flexibility to buy at any store. I'm here to tell ya, wal-mart cards don't help when you are tryin to install hardwood! (luckily we did get enough cash to do our new floors, but theirs just only so much you need from certain stores without blowing it!)

Answer 7

Your basically suppose to pay for your meal.... if it's a nice place... open bar... I normally give $100 per person.. (if I have a guest $200) Also depends on your age and how much money you can give... I am 30 so I tend to be a little more generous in my old age :)

Answer 8

$20 to $50 dollars would be fine if she is a close friend $50 if not than $20 or $30 dollars usually people just give them money or dish towels =D

Answer 9

Well it depends on how much you can afford to give and how much they need the money. Just make a judgement and I am sure they will be greatful for any amount

Answer 10

It is totally about your budget and the nature of your friendship .
In some cases $10 would be good ,
in others a $100 would not be enough .
Only you know the answer .