It is by no means a requirement, whether you are attending the wedding or not. In any case of gift giving, it should be done out of desire and not out of obligation. There is no hard and fast rule that says a wedding gift has to be X amount of dollars or require X amount of effort.
It is correct for someone to send a wedding gift even if they have not received an invitation. That is, if the person wants to do so. A surprise gift — one given for the simple reason that it's a sincere wish to celebrate with the recipient and honor the occasion — can be one of the best gifts of all.
As for how much to spend, that goes back to the relationship you have with the couple. Garringer advises spending as much as you would if you attended the wedding — which would mean around $100 for a close friend or $150 and up for an immediate family member.
The amount you put toward the gift should reflect your closeness to this family member. Since you're not actually attending the wedding, it's acceptable to spend slightly less on a gift than you would if you were attending in person. A card accompanied by a small gift will more than suffice.
Think About How Close You Are to the Couple
The average wedding gift amount hovers right around $100, which is a great place to start, and you can increase or decrease that based on how close you are.
That all depends on whether the gift is off the registry, an experience, or cash. Upon consulting the experts, a wedding gift should range from $75 to $750—but most agree that $300+ is the sweet spot.
A typical cash wedding gift could range from $50 to $500, depending on the same factors listed above. Even then, aiming for the $100 mark is generally sufficient and will be comparable to the average cost of a physical wedding gift.
Most etiquette experts––and Emily Post––agree, even if you can't attend the nuptials, wedding gift etiquette indicates you should still send a wedding gift.
They suggest the following breakdown: coworkers or distant relatives should spend 50 to 75 dollars. Friends or relatives, 75 to 100 dollars. For close friends, family, or if you are in the wedding party, you should spend 100 to 150 dollars—or more.
Yes, it's always acceptable to give cash as a wedding gift. In fact, experts say that giving cash as a wedding gift can be a practical and much appreciated present. Seventy percent of couples registered for cash on their wedding registry, an increase of 10% over last year, according to TheKnot.
The amount you give to a colleague versus a family member such as your son or daughter, for example, will differ. The wedding website The Knot recommends the following amount as a general guide: A colleague or a distant family friend/relative: $50-$75. Friend/relative: $75-$100.
For a co-worker or acquaintance: $50 to $100. For a friend or relative: $75 to $150. For a close friend or relative: $150 to $250. And if you're a young person with limited budget: $50 to $75 is reasonable.
$100 to $250 is a safe range for a cash gift at a wedding
“Most couples request cash gifts on their wedding day to help them begin their new life chapter. How much you give at a destination or local wedding depends on your relationship with them and your budget,” he says.
While it's not required, it's always a nice gesture and will make the couple smile—and there's no harm in that. Some couples designate a table for cards and gifts, particularly for any guests determined to do things the old-fashioned way.
For closer friends and family, you may want to consider going to $200, or higher if you can afford it. For others, $100 to $150 is more than okay as a wedding gift amount.
How much should a cash wedding gift be? The average wedding gift is around $100 (per guest), and this baseline is a great place to start. If you're bringing a plus-one, then you can give $200 as a couple.
2023 isn't much different! We're seeing the same general amount to give for a wedding gift of cash: anywhere within the $75 to $200 range is the norm. On average, most wedding guests give a gift of around $150 to $160 as a wedding present. According to etiquette experts, though, the minimum amount is around $75.
“We/I love you! Congrats!” “Please use this gift for something you need to start your new life together.” (If you're including a gift of cash or check.) “Wishing you the best today and always.”
Some people like to give gifts of their own choosing, such as an item that reminds them of their special connection with the bride and/or groom. But other guests simply enjoy the ease of ordering from the registry; you can purchase a gift the couple specifically picked out, plus it is wrapped and delivered for you.
Of course, it would be amazing to give your daughter thousands and thousands of dollars as a wedding gift, but not at the risk of making your own financial situation dire. Depending on their relationship with the bride, wedding guests typically give between $50 – $150 when making a monetary gift.
The groom's family traditionally paid for all costs associated with the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon, wedding day transportation, and the officiant. The groom paid for the bride's engagement ring, wedding ring, and groomsmen gifts. It is also common for the groom's family to pay for the alcohol at the reception.
If it's a co-worker or a distant friend, TheKnot.com recommends guests give at least $75-$100 on the wedding present. If your guest is a relative or a friend, the wedding website suggests somewhere between $100 and $125.
As a general rule, you should give the same amount in cash as you would spend on a physical wedding gift. Most wedding experts agree on the following amounts when it comes to giving cash as a gift: Evening guest only: £20-£50. Acquaintance or colleague: £30-£50.
$25 is an acceptable amount of money to spend on a wedding gift if that's what you are able to afford. If you do spend $50 or under, it's thoughtful to give a few small gifts off of their registry instead of a check.