Parents of the bride and groom collectively contribute about $19,000 to the wedding, or about two-thirds of the total cost, according to WeddingWire. The bride's parents give an average of $12,000, and the groom's, $7,000. Just 1 in 10 couples pays for the wedding entirely on their own, according to TheKnot.com.
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.
A rule of thumb would be a cash gift or an equivalent of at least $150. The backing is because “regular” visitors would typically spend that much on wedding presents. You could dedicate less to close friends and wider family and slightly higher to immediate family members.
Splitting wedding costs equally between the couple and their families is becoming more common across the board: The Knot 2021 Real Weddings Study found that couples pay approximately 49% of their wedding costs, with their families covering the rest at 51%.
An easy rule of thumb is to stay within the average range of $75 to $200, but you can adjust the exact amount based on your personal finances, as well as your relationship with the couple.
For parents that do choose to contribute, it has been said that the bride's parents pay around 45%, whilst the groom's parents contribute 15%. But obviously this will change from wedding to wedding. You may find that other relatives, such as grandparents and aunts and uncles, want to contribute, too.
Even though many modern couples are breaking wedding traditions left and right, one tradition is definitely sticking: parents paying for the wedding. To be fair, many couples do try to pay for some of the wedding, but it seems a hefty percentage is still being shelled out by both sides of the family.
Although the bride's family and friends are also part of the rehearsal dinner, traditionally it's the groom's parents who are responsible for paying the entire cost of the rehearsal dinner. This includes all expenses: food, drinks, venue rental, and entertainment during the meal.
"We're seeing people marry at an older age, during a phase of life where they have the means to pay for their wedding and don't want to put that strain on their parents." The verdict is in: it's no longer customary for a bride's parents to foot the wedding bill.
You might be aware that the bride's family is expected to cover the majority of the wedding day costs, while the groom's family pays for a variety of extra activities, like the rehearsal dinner and the honeymoon.
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. For those looking to gift the newlyweds cash, they may wonder how much to spend.
While in some families and cultures, the parents do give a tangible gift to the bridal couple, other families and cultures feel the wedding itself is enough. This means it is completely your choice.
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.
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.
It has become customary for brides and grooms to exchange gifts and vows and rings when they get married. While it is considered an "optional tradition", this type of sentimental gift exchange between couples on their wedding day is becoming increasingly popular.
$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.
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.
Think About How Close You Are to the Couple
If you're very close to or related to the couple (and have the wiggle room in your budget), you may choose to spend more—about $150 per guest (or $200 for a couple).
The person who pays for the honeymoon traditionally is the groom (or groom's family), since the bride's family traditionally pays for the wedding.
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.
You should do some preliminary wedding budget research ahead of the conversation, but we don't recommend going into the discussion expecting a certain amount of money. Any financial help from your parents is generous, so be sure to express your gratitude for whatever they can offer.