How much to give for a wedding present?

tara747

PudseyDB wrote: »

Geez - a lot of you are generous folks!!!!!!!!!

The last wedding I went to with just my eldest daughter (evening reception) I gave a £20 Born to Shop voucher. Before that, my partner's good friend got married and all 5 of us went to their reception and we gave them £50 in B&Q vouchers (as requested). So I guess it works out at £10 each from us.

I guess it depends partially on individual finances, as a family of 5 on lowish income we certainly wouldnt be able to pay £20 a head for the meal!

£20 is plenty for a gift if you are only going to the evening do! :T

I agree, it has all got way out of hand. I don't begrudge giving £100 between me and OH but, as I said, I only accept wedding invitations from close friends or family members, so it's not really a problem. I wouldn't want to go to a wedding between two people I'm not close to, so I simply decline.

I am intrigued by those who say that a new outfit is a necessity - it's certainly not for me! I have worn the same outfit to several weddings and wouldn't be embarrassed to do so.

p.s. don't get me started on Friday weddings... we were even invited to one on a Thursday last year - in Galway!!!! :eek: Needless to say we didn't go. It was a cousin of mine whom I hardly ever see, so no way was I taking two days off work for it, never mind all the extra expense of travelling, accommodation etc.

Also, if a wedding is within (say) 30 miles of Belfast we will usually share a taxi back at the end of the night with friends - much cheaper than paying for a hotel.

Ex-Spendaholic

I never give less than £100 or goods to the value depending on bridw and grooms preference. If its a close family member its more than that - washing machine, TV or whatever. I usually give a small gift from the kids too if its someone close.

As for evening receptions, I've stopped going to those. If someone thinks highly enough of me they'll invite me to the whole day. Im done with paying for a babysitter, drinks, taxis gifts etc for that kind of thing.

BugglyB

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.

Are you kidding me?

My friends got married last weekend in a beautiful wooded location, we camped for our accommodation and they got a hog roast, everyone brought coleslaw/salad/rolls/cake and so on as gifts. The brides father provided kegs of ale. Total cost to me including petrol: £30. I was free to buy them a nice present as the wedding hadn't cost me a lot at all.

If someone else decides to get married in a castle with Heston Blumenthal cooking the meal and vintage champagne, that’s their choice and their expense! I have in the past paid for posh hotel, babysitter, petrol, posh frock, shoes, expensive drinks, car parking (I kid you not!) in order to help friends/family celebrate their happy day but I resent the implication I’m rude for not covering the cost of my own dinner too!

In response to your second post the first thing I think when I get a wedding invitation is 'oh brilliant I love these people, I'm happy they are getting married, oh it'll be great fun'. The second thing I think is 'I wonder how much this will cost, I'll have to allow for it in my monthly budget, what other things can I cut down on this month'. If that means I shouldn't be invited then I guess we just disagree. You do have to remember that not giving £100 is not always a 'choice'.

piglet74

I think in NI we are FAR too genorous when it comes to wedding gifts, where £100 is the norm, with maybe £150 / 200 for family.

tho, if i "barely" knew the couple, i would not be going,

finaniciallyfitforfortys

Ive never given £100 to anybody getting married-family or not. ive a neice getting married this month who i havent seen for yrs and have been invited. Due to financial restraints i will be only able to afford £20 for gift and my sis paid for a dress for me to wear. I cant believe its a case of cover the meal- if i could afford a meal out it would be with my husband at a place we like