How much to give for a wedding present?

jenny-wren

We're having a discussion in work about how much is the norm to give a couple as a wedding present.

Basically a married couple have been invited to the ceremony and reception of a couple that they barely know that have been living together for some time, they have a house and a family.

How much would you give?

skea56

I think it depends on your circumstances...we have quite a few weddings this year (11 from Jan to Nov!!:eek:) but all of them are close friends or family so we are giving £200.

Otherwise I would be giving £100. However, as you say they're not close, how about £50 and a bunch of flowers - still covers (kinda) the cost of their dinners.

sk56

shellsuit

I'd give £50 cash.

kalaika

Blimey, I'm feeling cheap now.

For a couple I don't know that well, I'd probabaly give £20-£30.

Even for a close family member I'd probably not go much higher than £50ish unless there was something specific that I wanted to get them that I knew they would like.

OP, what is the general consensus in your office?

absoluteutopia

For a couple i barely knew i wouldn't be going at all, but if forced to by the Mrs £50

argamemnon

B limey thats generous i was given highest amount £50 lowest £5

argamemnon

Blimey that is so generous highest amount we got was £50 & lowest Brother in law ( adult ) £5, we are off to wedding this year value of gift £25..

kksweety

I'd buy a nice photo album and a bottle of decent wine. I absolutely hate giving money as a gift.

jenny-wren

kalaika wrote: »

Blimey, I'm feeling cheap now.

For a couple I don't know that well, I'd probabaly give £20-£30.

Even for a close family member I'd probably not go much higher than £50ish unless there was something specific that I wanted to get them that I knew they would like.

OP, what is the general consensus in your office?

Opinion is split, some people say £50 max, another says it has to be £100 because that's the norm these days. Personally, I agree with a maximum of £50, and that's being generous. I think it wholly depends on whose wedding it is and how close you are to them. I think it's wrong for couples to ask for cash and certainly to expect an expensive gift from those who can't afford it. A couple that is concerning themselves with expecting a gift higher than the value of what the wedding cost per person has got their priorities all wrong. We invited guests to our wedding simply wanting the people closest to us to be there to share a happy moment with us, not for any presents that we received.

My brother is getting married soon and we will be giving them cash because we know that it what they could do with most and they deserve to be spoiled. He hasn't asked for cash and has been quite specific saying that they have a gift list but a guest attending their wedding is a gift enough for them.

RTNI

we got married in November and the amounts were £50 from friends of a similar age, £100 from aunt and more well off friends, £200 from parents friends, grand parents etc. I would say that if you don't really know them, £50 would be a maximum.

CL

I was married 6 years ago and nearly all couples gave £100 cash. The meal and tea/coffee and wine on table would probably cost at least £30 per head.

If I hardly knew the couple, I wouldn't expect to be asked to the whole day and would probably find an excuse not to go and give a gift for about £20-£30.