If you’re unsure about giving money as a gift, here’s my guide for giving money as a wedding gift:
How much money should I give for a wedding? This is something I personally have been asked before when a past couple attended a friend’s wedding and to be honest, at first, I was pretty stumped. You want to give them an appropriate amount of money, cover their costs, and then maybe a little extra, but you don’t know where to begin.
The question of how much cash to give for a wedding gift is one that most people have at least some anxiety about. This article discusses the different amounts and provides guidelines on what are appropriate amounts to give. It also talks about when it’s not appropriate to give cash as a wedding gift.
Straight up, the amount I see over and over and over again is somewhere between $50-$150 per person.
When I surveyed my Instagram followers, a majority of them said they would give $50 per person for a wedding, so $100 per couple. I am also located in the Midwest, so some of the couples I surveyed in Chicago and on the East Coast said higher numbers like $150 and $200 per person.
But why give a gift at all? Besides being a kind gesture to wish the couple well, you also have to remember how expensive weddings can be—and the fact that you’re one of the lucky few invited to this special event. Whether it’s a small intimate gathering or a grand celebration, your presence is being carefully considered. You’re also being treated to an evening of food and drinks, so it’s customary to cover your share. For instance, wedding plates in Toledo, Ohio, usually cost anywhere from $40 to $75 each, with alcohol adding to the total. This makes the question of “How much should I give for a wedding?” feel a little clearer.
So when shouldn’t you give a cash gift? When you bring a physical gift from their registry or have it shipped to them. Otherwise, your presence was carefully considered and you should absolutely pay for your meal and give the couple a little thank you present for their happiness.
I know personally when I got married, I had people come that didn’t bring anything and I had a few people give us higher checks like $500 or $1000. I felt like for a family, I most commonly saw checks between $250 and $350. Obviously, bring what you can afford financially and the couple will (or SHOULD) understand no matter what!
Knowing what a wedding costs, I would personally give $100 per adult person when attending a wedding as a guest. It’s important to consider how much money you’re giving for a wedding.
