What is an “acceptable” cash gift for attending a wedding?

[bluck]

Let’s say you’re going to a wedding with your significant other. What is considered an “acceptable” cash gift? Is this $100 a couple? $200 a couple? Somewhere in the middle at $150? I’ve heard so many things and I have like 5 weddings to go to this year haha

[Amethyst]

In general, I would give $100 a person. But it might vary depending on how well you know them, your financial situation versus theirs, etc.

[Hockeyguy15]

$100/couple would be the minimum, assuming you get dinner and subsidised drinks that’s like break even at best.

[FireFly]

Thank you for reminding me to check what they gave me at mine... guest book record keeping for the win.

[TheSutterDynasty]

Originally Posted by FireFly

Thank you for reminding me to check what they gave me at mine... guest book record keeping for the win.

This is what we do. We give what they gave us (which seems odd) or $100/couple.

[Ozy_Flame]

$652

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

$652

With a card that says, "I value you this much"

[bluck]

I was kind of thinking $100 a couple would be good. I mean with 5 weddings at $200 each plus the cost of travel and accommodation it gets really expensive

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by bluck

I was kind of thinking $100 a couple would be good. I mean with 5 weddings at $200 each plus the cost of travel and accommodation it gets really expensive

I would give a smaller gift if I had to travel and pay for accommodation to attend (closer to the $100 a couple). Also, my friends have spread out their weddings enough that I never had to worry about 5 at once!

[mikephoen]

Let the five couples know that you’ll be giving $500 to the couple who had the wedding that is the most fun for you. The other couples get nothing. The prize will be awarded at the conclusion of the fifth wedding. It’s like a reality TV game show!

[bluck]

Originally Posted by Amethyst

I would give a smaller gift if I had to travel and pay for accommodation to attend (closer to the $100 a couple). Also, my friends have spread out their weddings enough that I never had to worry about 5 at once!

Haha the 3 I have are all different groups of friends and then the other two are my girlfriends. Just unlucky I guess :/

[lazypucker]

I would at least gift enough for the married couple to break even. Realistically, $100 per person doesn't go too far these days in terms of wedding banquet, $100 per head probably won't break even for the host if it is a semi-decent venue with an open bar ($10 a drink + $60 for food + 18% gratuity at least).

I think the "norm" now is that if you are invited but not going to attend, $100 for you and your SO, if you attending, I will say probably $150-$200 per person. again depending on the venue.

These wedding receptions to me are just like everybody contribute their own share for a party. The days of the host "making a profit" are long gone. Really, everybody already know how much it costs the host per head and you should at least cover your own costs.

[RinkRat]

I've always based it on my finances at the time of the wedding, a good friend married when I was making over 100k they got $500 out of me, my cousin got married last week while I'm making much less, $100. I would always like to give more, but I just do what I can financially.

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by RinkRat

I've always based it on my finances at the time of the wedding, a good friend married when I was making over 100k they got $500 out of me, my cousin got married last week while I'm making much less, $100. I would always like to give more, but I just do what I can financially.

Can we deduce that you're now making only $20k?

[RinkRat]

Originally Posted by Party Elephant

Can we deduce that you're now making only $20k?

Closer to 30k at the moment, but based on my own wedding costs coming up in September $100 seemed reasonable.

I hit the perfect storm of leaving my high paying job (CP Rail is a just god awful) followed by becoming a student full time and taking a reasonable part time gig, only to suffer a significant injury just after I finished school.

My only saving grace was that my issues were a result of a work injury providing me with medical cost coverage and some wage replacement as I recover.

back on topic, I'm also getting married in a couple months and would be thrilled to receive $100 from anyone I invited, but I honestly am just happy if people take the time to come out for our event, I am extremely fortunate to have future in-laws and my own parents around who have covered just about every major cost.

[devo22]

I always give €100.

[JD]

According to my "wedding tracker" spreadsheet, our guests gave an average of $92 per person, which doesn't include the three people who snubbed us completely.

[GGG]

I don't like the break even concept. It's their wedding that they chose to invite you to. Their wedding budget should not be factoring how much cash they are going to get for said party. Also people spend far too much on weddings anyways.

That said I give $100 regardless of number attending

[puffnstuff]

Originally Posted by GGG

I don't like the break even concept. It's their wedding that they chose to invite you to. Their wedding budget should not be factoring how much cash they are going to get for said party. Also people spend far too much on weddings anyways.

Completely agree.
I base my gift on how much I actually like the people getting married.

[Frequitude]

$100/person