Gifts for cake and lunch reception

No I'd give a normal gift. Not sure what the size of the wedding or what's offered has to do with giving the couple a gift to celebrate starting their life together

That's a good point. Thanks @rachel d!

A 6:30pm wedding with no dinner or alcohol? Sounds awful. I would probably give less, yes, since clearly this couple isn't worried about hosting their guests well.

It might sound messed up but I probably would give less

I am with PP, 6:30 is a meal time. If I'm not being provided dinner, alcohol or at least apps then I'd probably give less. Honestly I'd have to be pretty close to this couple to even attend. ETA: spelling/errors

Honestly, this is rude and poor hosting on their end. I get not being able to afford a meal for your guests, but wait until you're able to host properly before getting married. This would probably make me want to take some cash out of the card.

Even if it's "poor hosting" 2 wrongs don't make a right. Too many people play tit for tat in life. I would still give them a nice gift.

Plus it's your cousin. After all this WW crap is said and done, they are your family.

I would never!! I gift the same regardless of the type of wedding.

I have a usual amount I give and then add more based on the closeness of our relationship. However, I do take into account my travel expenses.

FI's cousin is getting my minimum because it's frickin expensive flying and staying at the resort they picked in Cabo.

Super rudely hosted event, but yeah, take the high road.

Kirackle, I wouldn't expect gifts from my guests at a DW. I'd be grateful for their attendance.

Good question. I'd probably decline the invitation. Thinking of people rushing to get to a Friday evening wedding after work, not having time to get dinner, being hungry through the entire ceremony, not being offered a cocktail/glass of wine, filling up with sugar, and hanging around until 8:30? No thanks.

The gift? I don't know...depends on how well I knew them. Something small, I suppose.

Yeah I'm not looking forward to it. But it's my cousin so I feel like I have to go. I'm thinking it's best to do what @Jacks said and take the high road.

They are still getting married. I would give them the same amount even if they had a huge reception.

' Not sure what the size of the wedding or what's offered has to do with giving the couple a gift to celebrate starting their life together '

Weddings are bloody expensive. As a guest I try to give a pretty decent gift or money amount to give a bit back to what they would've spent hosting me. If the hosts have skimped on providing a meal or drinks however then I would generally give a smaller gift/money amount to reimburse myself for the drinks/decent meal I will have to go out and get myself after the wedding.

Basically If a host skimps on hosting then a guest is equally allowed to skimp on the gift.

I wouldn't bring anything because I wouldn't go. It's impossible to leave work at 5, get home, get ready, eat dinner and be somewhere by 6:30.

I'd still give a normal gift, especially because it's family. Go to the wedding, stay at the reception for a half hour, then grab dinner on the way home. Yes, they absolutely should be serving a meal at 6:30, but at least they told you ahead of time and it's not a surprise

Gift the same.

I would absolutely give them the same gift.

I gift based on my relationship to the couple. The only exception is a DW.