how much do you really spend on a wedding gift?

[Aleta]

It was. It was at Brays Island Plantation. It's North of Beaufort. Beautiful area.

[ThisTime]

I just got married the end of August so as a recent recipient this is my take on the matter. First of all, we did register at Crate and Barrell and Bed, Bath and Beyond for things that we wanted. High and low prices, but they were what we would use. BUT we did NOT send registration cards in the announcements. That is tacky to me. For one you are announcing your marriage and also inviting them to come celebrate with you if they are able. You are not sending them an invitation to a birthday party where they are 'supposed' to bring a gift.

If they were interested then they would ask our parents if we were registered and they could go and pick something up. We got a variety of gifts, things from our registry and some that were not. To be quite honest we mostly got gift cards, checks or cash.

As far as what is appropriate to send, it really just depends. We had everything from $10-$300. I believe that it depends on your personal financial situation, your relationship with the person/family getting married, and your history with the person/family getting married. The average was between 25-35. But for those that we (or our families) were close to it was between 50-100.

I will say that it was better to at least to receive a card of congrats showing that you care then nothing. (Even if it is one more thank you card....)

[vishenda]

$80-$100 for someone really really dear to me

[markio26]

thanks for all the wonderful informative comments..

[markio26]

most of my pals are telling me they give over $200 each, to the bride and groom seperately... i never heard of such a thing?? they never gave me a reason why....?????

[fairy74]

over $200 each to the bride and groom? Wow, that is steep and a little odd, don't you usually just give a gift to the bride for her shower and one to the couple for the wedding?

[markio26]

fairy:
yeah.. that is usually the way i do it.... bridal shower gift.. money and gift to bride and groom together......

[christy38401]

A close friend or family member: $50.

All others: $25 or so.



Christy

[AutumnWoods]

Originally Posted by LuxLiving

Depends - on an extended family member it MIGHT go to $40. An acquaintance at church I generally give a clear glass serving platter which can be obtained in the $5-15 range depending on where I'm shopping at the time. Clear glass works as it can be used w/most any motif someone comes up with. Sorry, I'm not breaking the bank for an acquaintance, and to some of you that may appear that I'm being cheap. For our budget these kinds of price levels are reasonable. We gift ONE gift to the couple - either at the shower or the wedding, but not both. Now when it comes to my kids then the story is and will be different - but not $100 a plate different.

If I were a "mere acquaintance" of yours, I would prefer to get just a nice card wishing me and my new husband well instead of something that says, "I didn't even bother to put any thought into this gift."

That plate that would have ended up at my first yard sale.

I personally would be too embarrassed to give anybody a $5 plate just to fulfill a wedding gift obligation for a "mere acquaintance."

[AutumnWoods]

Originally Posted by BCHGRL

The last wedding we attended, we gave a frame that I bought at Ross for $14. The frame would cost $50 in a normal department store. I gave a nice gift without looking cheap!

I'm sorry, I like to save money, but this is just tacky.

I would rather spend $14 on something I knew the couple needed and wanted (like something on the registry) then to just go out and try to find something that I could pass off as being more expensive than it really is.

Instead of cheaping out on a gift (and trying to pretend like you spent alot of money on it), why didn't you just give the couple a nice card?

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by AutumnWoods

I would rather spend $14 on something I knew the couple needed and wanted (like something on the registry) then to just go out and try to find something that I could pass off as being more expensive than it really is.

Instead of cheaping out on a gift (and trying to pretend like you spent alot of money on it), why didn't you just give the couple a nice card?

this is all well and good, but not every couple registers (such as myself). in these instances where there is an actual wedding ceremony but no gift registry, one would think it reasonable that there would be pictures of the even that the couple would want to display, and therefore a frame would in fact be something they could use.

[markio26]

we attended two different millionaires weddings last year... we went all out... set us back over a grand for both...time we went to everything and gifted and cashed them... anyway, i am like ima, we never received any thank you cards from either party... now, i fell insulted about this in a way......oh, and spouse had to miss 2 days of work... they are lifelong friends of his..

[markio26]

we have not been invited to any weddings this year yet... what is up with that???? how many have u been invited to this year?? just curious..... thanks.

[tinapbeana]

none, but i don't get invited to many anyways....

[pearlieq]

Originally Posted by AutumnWoods

I'm sorry, I like to save money, but this is just tacky.

I would rather spend $14 on something I knew the couple needed and wanted (like something on the registry) then to just go out and try to find something that I could pass off as being more expensive than it really is.

Instead of cheaping out on a gift (and trying to pretend like you spent alot of money on it), why didn't you just give the couple a nice card?

I actually agree with you.

Plus, no one in their right mind would think "Oh, gee, they got me a $50 frame. I'm so impressed." Just because the sticker says "compare at $49.99" doesn't mean it's worth $50.

I know sometimes money is tight and that might be what the budget allows, but I guess I wouldn't be bragging about it, you know?