Comments on: How much should a wedding present cost?

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:17:54 +0000

For me, i would say about 50 dollars, but that’s me. I like to save money.

By: Saturday Weigh In and Linkstuff

Saturday Weigh In and Linkstuff — Sat, 31 May 2008 09:42:58 +0000

[...] had a laugh when Thicken My Wallet worried about not spending enough on wedding gifts. I’ve been budgeting $50 for most friends who get married. TMW is increasing from $100. I [...]

By: admin

admin — Sat, 24 May 2008 14:49:11 +0000

I am guessing the range is $100-$150 from the comments.

Maybe I should also ask what happens if you are attending the 2nd or 3rd wedding for the same person! Haha.

By: Investoid

Investoid — Sat, 24 May 2008 05:34:04 +0000

I’ve got 5 weddings this year – we’re going with an average of $150 total. This would have likely been higher, if not for a) so many weddings within 8 months of each other and b) two of the weddings are away, so we’re spending about $4K just to go to those.

By: Four Pillars

Four Pillars — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:53:27 +0000

I give $100 per person attending – so $200 for my wife & I.

Mike

By: R I

R I — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:54:47 +0000

I think $125 to cover one plate is a good figure – that’s what I’ve been putting the last 2-3 years. I guess it depends on where they are having it. A particularly nice place, or if they are providing you with lunch before the ceremony, could push it up higher. Then if I feel particularly close to the bride and groom, I may give them a little bit extra

By: Elaine

Elaine — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:57:40 +0000

I’m getting married this summer and the thing we want but can’t put on a registry is MONEY! hehe.

By: 45free

45free — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:17:36 +0000

I have always used the “covering your meal” rule of thumb rounding up or down depending on the person. The difficulty with that is, how much does the meal cost? I was married when Eatons was still around and for what was a fairly nice meal at a fairly nice hotel “covering the meal” for 2 people would have been a little north of $100. I am guessing these days, that would sound something like $200. As for the cheapest gift…I invited a friend from high school who I had been very close to for many years (my best friend all through high school) and his parents who were good friends with my parents. We needed to exchange what they gave us as one of the glasses was chipped. The store no longer had any so they offered us a store credit for the value of the gift…$6.50…including tax!

By: Jo

Jo — Fri, 23 May 2008 11:33:30 +0000

For recent weddings, I’ve tried to give something meaningful or useful which shows I’ve spent some thought on the gift, and $50. That may be too frugal, but when I get married I’m going to ask that everyone donate whatever amount they want to charity so it’s not a case where I’d be looking for anything expensive (or anything at all) from them..

By: guinness416

guinness416 — Fri, 23 May 2008 10:10:56 +0000

Isn’t the standard these days “covering your meal”? So I’m told by my brother, who’s well up on these things. We eloped, so only got presents from very close family and friends, but didn’t receive anything that I’d consider too cheap. Some that were definitely too expensive though. The thing about wedding presents is that everyone says they “only want you there”, but it’s hard to know who REALLY thinks that and who’s a points-keeper. I’ve definitely heard some whining about inadequate gifts from people I wouldn’t have expected to care so much.