MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle

How Much Money Should You Give At A Wedding?

A helpful guide to wedding do's and dont's - by Rhys McKay
  • 04 Sep 2020
How Much Money Should You Give At A Wedding?

As wedding bells ring and the invitations are sent, there’s a big issue that hangs in every guest’s mind: how much to spend on a wedding gift. Of course, every couple will say that your attendance is more than enough, but as common courtesy, you should get them a great gift that shows you’re wishing them well.

The situation gets a bit sticky if you’re not attending the wedding, or if you’re not sure how valuable your gift should be. Giving an extravagant gift when the ceremony is simple can be just as embarrassing as giving a cheap gift when the wedding is fancy.

wedding

If you’re confused about the proper etiquette for giving gifts, we have some handy tips so you will avoid making a faux pas.

How Much Money Should You Give At A Wedding?

It depends. As a general rule, these are the factors you should keep in mind when considering how much money to give at a wedding:

  • your relationship with the couple
  • your financial situation
  • whether or not you’re attending

If you’re a single person attending, the safest minimum amount you should spend on a present is $100. However, this amount can be adjusted based on your own financial situation. Don’t feel pressured to cough up a large sum when you’re in between jobs, or when you’re facing multiple wedding invitations in a short period of time.

RELATED: 20 Non-Cliché Wedding Gifts They'll Actually Use

gift

How Much Should You Give If You Are Related To The Couple?

The closer your relationship to the couple, the larger the minimum amount for your gift. If your son or daughter is the one getting married, you should spend lavishly.

Is A Cheque An Acceptable Wedding Present?

Yes! Australia couples will spend an average of $51,000  for the festivities. So trust us: your cheque will be very welcome! That's a lot of money, and writing a cheque will be considered a thoughtful way to help them pay for the expenses. Some couples may even prefer getting cash and cheques over receiving material gifts.

Hot tip: make sure you give the cheque ahead of the wedding ceremony itself. Events can get pretty hectic, and you don’t want to risk it going missing in the middle of the reception.

Should I Get Them A Gift Even If I Can’t Attend The Wedding?

As a general rule, if you’re a very close friend or relative of the couple, you should send a gift anyway. But if you’re not particularly close to the bride or groom, and you won’t be attending, it is also considered acceptable to send your congratulations through a simple, well-written card.

You may still choose to send a gift, but you can spend a bit less on it than if you went to the wedding. Don’t worry – your $50 picnic hamper will still be a lovely token of good wishes to the couple.

If You’re The Bride Or Groom, How Do You Let Guests Know It’s OK To Give Cash?

A: It’s better to add a couple of lines at the bottom of your invitation, so no guests are left guessing about the propriety of giving cash. Such a line could go, “While your presence is already a present in itself, if you wish to give us gifts, we’d like to request money as we are saving for our beautiful future together.”

Can I Give A Gift That’s Not On The Registry?

If the couple had taken the time to let you know what items they need, then you shouldn’t steer too far from their suggestion. However, this isn’t an unbreakable rule. If you’re particularly close to the couple and you think your choice will be a perfect gift, go with your gut and feel free to buy an item that’s off the registry.

When Do I Give A Wedding Gift?

Make things easier for yourself and the couple by having gifts sent to their home. There’s already a lot to keep track of, and the last thing they need is to think about the logistics of how to bring a heap of presents home. Most registries have shipping and tracking services, so this will make gifting a breeze. However, if you’re giving a gift that’s not on their registry, it’s acceptable to bring it to the wedding ceremony itself.

  • Lifestyle
  • Bridal

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

8 Stunning Yet Affordable Wedding Invitation Ideas

8 Stunning Yet Affordable Wedding Invitation Ideas

Inside Lady Kitty Spencer's No-Expenses-Spared Roman Wedding

Inside Lady Kitty Spencer's No-Expenses-Spared Roman Wedding

The 5 Best Wedding Photographers In Sydney

The 5 Best Wedding Photographers In Sydney

Boss Margot Robbie Shuts Down Questions About Her Marriage

Boss Margot Robbie Shuts Down Questions About Her Marriage

{headline}

{headline}

The Unexpected Signs He Is About To Propose

The Unexpected Signs He Is About To Propose

This Fashion Blogger’s Wedding Couldn’t Have Been More Incredible

This Fashion Blogger’s Wedding Couldn’t Have Been More Incredible

NYC Cool Girl & 90s Style Muse, Chloë Sevigny, Ties The Knot (Again)

NYC Cool Girl & 90s Style Muse, Chloë Sevigny, Ties The Knot (Again)

{headline}

{headline}

Store Your Most Cherished Memories In One Of These Stylish Wedding Albums

Store Your Most Cherished Memories In One Of These Stylish Wedding Albums

Victoria Beckham’s ‘Mother Of The Groom’ Dress Has More Meaning Than Meets The Eye

Victoria Beckham’s ‘Mother Of The Groom’ Dress Has More Meaning Than Meets The Eye

5 Places To Source Stunning Wedding Stationery & Invitations

5 Places To Source Stunning Wedding Stationery & Invitations

Billie Lourd Honoured Carrie Fisher & Debbie Reynolds In The Sweetest Way At Her Wedding

Billie Lourd Honoured Carrie Fisher & Debbie Reynolds In The Sweetest Way At Her Wedding

10 Bridal Lingerie Brands That Will Make Your Wedding Night All The More Memorable

10 Bridal Lingerie Brands That Will Make Your Wedding Night All The More Memorable

The Five Wedding Floral Trends That Are Set To Be In Full Bloom This Season

The Five Wedding Floral Trends That Are Set To Be In Full Bloom This Season

3 Bridal Makeup Trends You’ll Be Seeing Across Aisles In 2022

3 Bridal Makeup Trends You’ll Be Seeing Across Aisles In 2022

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
MarieClaire Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Elle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • beautyheaven
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Marie Claire