So, How Much Should You Be Spending On A Wedding Gift?
Whether it's your first time attending a wedding or you've been to a few before, there's always the question of how much you should spend on a wedding gift. Is there a minimum or a maximum? Does your relationship with the bride or groom play a factor? Many couples create a wedding registry with items they want — which alleviates the stress of figuring out what they want or need, but you still need to decide how much money you're willing to spend. Do you buy them the $300 set of sheets or the $50 crockpot?
You don't want to come off like a cheapskate and choose the $7 ice cream scooper, but you might not have the budget to splurge on a more expensive item. So what do you do? Fortunately, there's an easy solution to your problem. Here's everything you need to know about buying a gift for the couple's special day.
If you're a family member or friend
As someone close to the couple, it should come as no surprise you're expected to pay more than an acquaintance or casual friend they see a few times a year. If you've decided to give a physical gift — whether or not it's from their registry — you're looking at spending anywhere from $100 to $150. With that said, don't feel obligated to spend the maximum amount if it isn't within your means. You can still celebrate the bride and groom without breaking the bank. There's always the option of going in on a group gift as well.
According to CreditDonkey, if the couple has asked for cash gifts, be prepared to give between $150 to $500 if you are attending the wedding by yourself. If your partner is also in attendance, it's expected the two of you pay a bit more. $500 is a very generous amount, and you should only give that much if you can afford to.
If you aren't close to the couple
On the other end of the spectrum, if you're attending a wedding and don't have a super close relationship with the couple, you aren't obligated to spend as much on a gift. In this situation, spending $50 to $75 on a wedding present is ideal, but it's up to you to decide where you fall within that range, according to Wedding Forward. If the bride is a coworker of yours and the two of you have lunch regularly, it's a good idea to lean toward the higher end.
However, if they're an acquaintance, don't feel obligated to pay more than the minimum. $50 is still a generous amount, even if it may not seem like it. Should you still have mixed feelings about how much to give, here is an easy rule of thumb. If they were a guest at your wedding, feel free to match the amount they spent.