Wedding Season Is Here — Here's How Much Money You Should Give
Wedding season is in full swing, and while everyone loves celebrating love, the pressure to give the "right" gift can quietly drain your wallet. Whether you're in the wedding party or just grabbing a seat in the pews, a gift is expected. And when money is tight, figuring out what to spend can feel like its own ordeal.
MoneyLion dug into the data to take the guesswork out of it. The right amount varies depending on your relationship to the couple, the location and a few other factors — but we've got a clear breakdown to help you give confidently, without the stress.
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How Much Money To Spend on a Wedding Gift
Before you start clinking glasses, remember there are some variables in determining how much you should spend on a wedding gift. Your budget, how close you are to the bride or groom -- or for more judgmental guests, whether or not it’s the couple's first wedding -- might all factor in.
According to the money experts at Fidelity and the style experts at Vogue, you should look to spend between $100 and $150. However, that’s more of a guideline than a rule. For perspective, this is a quick gauge of what you might be expected to spend based on your relationship with the couple:
Coworkers or loose acquaintances: $50 to $75 per guest
Friends or extended family: $100 to $150 per guest
Close friends or immediate family: $150 to $250 or more per guest
If you are in the wedding party: $150 to $200 per guest
As with any optional or mandated social gathering, there are always nuances. For example, if you are bringing a date, the generally accepted etiquette is to double your individual rate or give roughly 1.5 times your single amount as part of the unspoken “plus-one rule.” However, if you have heavy travel expenses, such as hotel and flight costs for a destination wedding, it is perfectly acceptable to lower your cash gift. In some cases you may not be expected to give one at all.
With all of that in mind, remember you should always prioritize your own financial comfort over tradition. If giving cash is outside your budget, a physical or registry gift of equal value is a wonderful alternative.
How To Save Money on Wedding Gifts
Once you have an idea of the couple's wedding gift wants, you can work backwards to figure out what you’d like your gift to be -- and save money and unnecessary stress before you start shopping. These tips can help you lower some price tags and still give the couple a gift they will love:
Know what the couple wants first. Couples with a registry will probably prefer their handpicked wedding registry gifts, while other couples may want cash to put toward savings or a honeymoon.
Choose a registry gift early. The affordable items are likely to be bought first, so the sooner a guest can buy their gift, the more likely they'll be to find one that fits their budget.
Give a group gift. Partnering up with other guests to give a more expensive gift is an excellent way for each person to save by contributing less than what they would spend on an individual gift.
Wait until after the wedding. If you can't afford to buy a gift for the wedding day, you can wait up to a year after the event to send the couple a gift.
Wedding guests shouldn't stress about not being able to buy expensive items. While gifts are always appreciated, most couples value love and support throughout their wedding and marriage above all else. But yes, also cash.
Taylor DeJesus contributed to the reporting for this article.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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