Here Comes the Bride and Groom - How Much Should I Spend On The Perfect Wedding Present?

Thousands of people each year are guests at weddings and with the wedding ceremonies and receptions becoming more elaborate, many stress over how much to spend on a gift for the bride and groom. There are numerous things to be considered when determining how much to spend on a gift. Here are some simple guidelines to follow.

The general rule when it comes to wedding gifts is ultimately what you feel comfortable with spending. With that being said, there are lots of people that want to make sure they give an amount that is neither too little nor too much. One consideration when choosing what kind of wedding gift to give is the type of couple getting married. With younger couples getting married for the first time, they are just starting out and would generally appreciate a monetary gift more than anything else to help offset their wedding expenses, put a down payment on a new home, help with furnishing an apartment, etc.

For older, married couples that are already established, monetary gifts are less important and they would be happy either with money or with a thoughtful gift.

Obviously one consideration when determining the amount of a wedding present is how well you know the couple being wed. If you are an immediate family member or a very close friend, a gift of money totaling several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars is considered normal. It is really up to how much you can afford to give. Ultimately the couple is just happy to have those who are close to them in attendance for their special day. Of course some sort of gift is common etiquette.

For others attending the wedding, such as friends, co-workers and distant family members, you should always give an amount that you think is equal to the cost of inviting you to the wedding. For instance, if you think the cost to invite both you and your guest is $100 than this amount is appropriate. If you are able to give this amount plus 25% to 50% more, your gift will be graciously received.

You may think about asking the bride and groom if they are registered somewhere, you can then pick out a gift they actually want, saving them the hassle of making a return after the wedding. Traditionally the couple would register for basics such china and glassware. Today couples register for a variety of items including anything from food processors to board games. A gift should be given from the heart. They may also be delivered to the reception. In this case family members will be responsible for seeing that all presents are delivered to the newly wed couple.

Gifts of money can be sent to the happy couple as soon as you receive an invitation to their wedding. For those giving actual gifts and gifts of money, the guidelines are typically the same.

In any event a nice card should be included with every gift, whether it be money or otherwise. A card can say much about your well wishes for the bride and groom. Never underestimate the power of an exceptional card.

Picking a wedding gift does not need to be demanding. The happy couple are embarking on an exciting time of their lives together. They will be happy with any present you give them.

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