lorkin asked:
I’m trying to find out what people feel is a reasonable amount to spend on a wedding present. I know it depends on finances but what is the very least you would spend and what is the absolute maximum?
My wife said this was a silly question because it depends on who’s wedding it is!!
Please think of it this way:
If you went to a wedding of someone you hardly knew/disliked what is the least you would spend?
On the other hand if you went to someone very close to you’s wedding (say a sibling or best friend) what is the most you would spend?
I’m trying to find out what people feel is a reasonable amount to spend on a wedding present. I know it depends on finances but what is the very least you would spend and what is the absolute maximum?
My wife said this was a silly question because it depends on who’s wedding it is!!
Please think of it this way:
If you went to a wedding of someone you hardly knew/disliked what is the least you would spend?
On the other hand if you went to someone very close to you’s wedding (say a sibling or best friend) what is the most you would spend?
$20-$150
I like to think that gifts are not required. And, as a bride-to-be, I would be just as honored to receive a painting they did themselves or an entire set of china. I guess, money-wise, it would depend on the relationship. $100 would be my max and $30 my minimum.
You would give what you can…my least is $50, but if you can afford $20 in a nice card then that is what you give…just being there and sharing the day is priceless to your friend/family member. As for the most….that too is personal and would depend on who was getting married….as in the relationship to you.
Depends on the people getting married.
If I really like them (say close family), I would spent a lot on something they like/needed.
If I didn’t really know them that well (like a old friend I haven’t seen in awhile), not much maybe $40-$50.
The least I have spent is $20.00 and the most I have spent is $200.00
The least I’ve spent is around $50 for a very casual friend, or the child of an aquaintance, and probably the most I’ve spent is about $250 for my siblings.
$150.00 is the minimum I have given.
$600.00 is the maximum I give.
I always cover my plate at least, so at least I do give a gift and it hasn’t cost them anything to have me there. Some of the places here in New York are $300 per plate, plus a site fee which can be 8 – 10k just to be on the premises.
The least I would spend is $50. But, that might be for a co-worker or other accquantance. For family and close friends, I start at $100 and work my way up.
I gave my brother in law, $100 when he got married. If one of my siblings got married, I would consider giving $250+ depending what I could afford at the time. If I could afford $500, I would easily give a sibling that.
But, no less then $50 for friends/co-workers and $100 of more for family.
The general rule of thumb that I use is purchasing a gift that is the cost of hosting you at the wedding. For example, if I know the wedding costs approximately $60/person, I give a gift of at least $120 (if I bring a date). However, that figure can be larger for family or friends. The most I’ve paid for a wedding gift is close to $1,000 for a good friend of mine. I bought her a massage the day before the wedding, lingerie, and also 7 place settings that she really wanted. The least I ever spent was for my brother-in-law’s second marriage. He wanted a butter dish ($7.99) since he has everything else already.
I think that putting a price on a gift is overrated. And the whole idea of paying for your plate/covering your cost to be at the wedding is ridiculous. The couple (or whomever is hosting) has made the decision to undertake the financial burden and it is not necessary for a guest to feel obligated to pay for their presence.
Whoa… that being said, a gift from the heart. A gift from their registry is appropriate, and if there is none, then something that screams the couple’s personality to you is the right gift! For example; a day at a spa for the couple to relax or even tickets to a sporting event!
Least: I’d probably purchase an item for around $20 off the person’s registry.
Most: $200, either cash, something they really wanted from their registry, or a gift certificate to a very nice hotel.