How much to give for a wedding present?

Chickabee

£100 is pretty much the norm for a couple- more if its family or very close friends.
I have to say however if i didn't even really know the couple that well then i wouldn't go to the wedding.
Also in my opinion if they are already a settled couple with a house &family i personally wouldn't feel the need to give them as much as new-starts who will need all the money they can to start their life together.

tiff

I have never heard that before about covering the cost of your meal. We gave my husbands brother £75 but at all other weddings we would usually spend around £20-£30. When I got married I never once thought about how much we had spent per head etc, you just want people to be there and we got lots of lovely gifts no matter what they cost.

kalaika

jenny-wren wrote: »

...another says it has to be £100 because that's the norm these days.

Chickabee wrote: »

£100 is pretty much the norm for a couple- more if its family or very close friends...

tara747 wrote: »

...if we are giving cash, then we usually give £100 between the two of us. It's sort of 'expected' iykwim. ...

That's three separate people saying £100 is the norm. Is it really?

I don't think my wife and I have given £100 at any wedding we've ever attended, and certainly wouldn't even consider that value for a couple we barely knew.

**Maybe** we will if someone really close got married (eg a brother/sister) but otherwise I think £100 is a lot.

(You might realise I don't go in for the 'cover the cost of your meal' codswallop!)

saverbuyer

I give £100 as a couple. Having talked to friends this seems to be the norm. £50 per head.

drew2k9

It's just polite to cover the cost of your meal, remember they have paid for your meal and a whole lot extra that you will avail of during the day.

now a days meals are sitting at about 45 minimum per person. £100 for a couple is about right, more if you know them very very well or are family.

I know its bad to say on a money saving website, but really it shouldn't be about the money, in my opinion if you are invited to a wedding and aren't prepared to spend a little for a gift, then you maybe shouldn't have been invited at all and should politely decline the invitation.

jen_br

Yup its etiquette and ive been to over 20 weddings.. I wouldn't dream of not covering the cost of the meal... As said above the bride and groom have dished out a lot to have you there...

I agree Drew, I mean sure some people say "Your presence is our present" but I still think that a small token towards the cost of a meal.
Heres an article supporting the meal thing
http://www.ehow.com/way_5171902_much-money-should-give-wedding_.html
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/440530/wedding_etiquette_should_your_wedding_pg3.html?cat=46

Although it is commonly recognized as "proper wedding etiquette" to cover the entire cost of your meal, it is not always necessary. The wedding gift that you give should be what you can afford to give, but more importantly, it should also come from your heart.

When I got married most peopel gave me 200.00 (dollars) but that was aunts uncles cousins (older) Grandparents was 400 and parents took care of bar bill. Friends got us some gifts and travel vouchers. Ihave a few aunts that are not very well off and they gave cost of meal 30.00

tiff

I think it must be etiquette amongst "younger" people, I'm 42 and that has never been the case.

shellsuit

drew2k9 wrote: »

It's just polite to cover the cost of your meal, remember they have paid for your meal and a whole lot extra that you will avail of during the day.

now a days meals are sitting at about 45 minimum per person. £100 for a couple is about right, more if you know them very very well or are family.

I know its bad to say on a money saving website, but really it shouldn't be about the money, in my opinion if you are invited to a wedding and aren't prepared to spend a little for a gift, then you maybe shouldn't have been invited at all and should politely decline the invitation.

If it's polite to cover the cost of the meal, the next wedding I'm invited to, I'll take my own packed lunch.

People get invited to weddings as the bride and groom want them to share their day (or they should do!).

They shouldn't get invited so they can pick up the tab for the bride and grooms choice of food!


As for the bit I highlighted in bold ~ guests should feel free to go armed with a gift or not. It's not compulsory to go without a gift is it?

It's more rude to expect a gift IMO.

tiff

Absolutely Shellsuit, cant believe what I'm reading.

buzzykye

we got married in 2009 and received £40.00 min - £500 Maximum.
I think it depends on your own circumstances.
I was not offended that a few people didnt give anything or another couple bought us some picture frames.
It all about the day really not the gift.