How much should I give?

We had this convo a while back. It is VERY location dependent.

In areas of the country with really high wedding costs, the "average" gift is way different! In my area, giving 100-150 per person is normal, but my friend from a more rural area of the country thought that was insanely high and typically gives $50 per person.

Maybe tell us where you are from and someone from that area can help.

Also, I give depending on my relationship with that person, regardless of the formality of the event.

I think it also depends on what you can afford. I have been at the point that I was flat broke, over drafted bank account and it was all I could do to squeeze out $25. I am sure it was still appreciated. If it wasn't then they are a jackass ! Haha

I'd say $100+

Someone on here once suggested, "Give as you are moved and are able" and I think that sums it up. When I was in my early 20s and everyone was getting married, I didn't have much income, so even our nearest and dearest got around $100, now that we're more established in our careers, we gave several hundred to both my brothers who just got married.

The fact that you're asking is really sweet. Give what you can. Your friend is obviously inviting you because he or she cares about YOU not the gift.

The rule of thumb is to cover your plate as pp have said. That being said, when you give with a generous heart & as you are capable there is no wrong answer.

For close friends these days we try to stick around $200-300, a little less if we have lots of expenses with the wedding. When we were just getting started, it was around $50-$100.

I think minimum $100 per person but it can go up to $150-200 per person if it's someone you're extremely close to.

Honestly, if your friend judges you for "giving too little", they shouldn't be a friend either. Everyone has different financial places in their life, and I don't think you need to give up your lifesavings for a wedding gift.

This is why I LOVE giving gifts instead of money, so the recipient doesn't know how much I spent. You don't even have to shop by registry. As long as you bring something, it should be appreciated.

ETA: I strongly disagree with "wedding gift minimums" no MATTER where you live!! Like I said, if your friend judges you for giving too little, then you can cross them off of your wedding guest list... cause they're not a true friend. Even $50 or $100 can be a strain on some people.

FH and I usually give $200 - so 100 a person. We live in an area where plates run between $100 and $150 a person, so we work off of that. It somewhat depends on where you live, I think.

I am also in the land of boxed gifts, and have never given cash at a wedding. Of course, I don't give cash gifts for any occasion. I usually give based on my relationship to the couple. I give something off their registry, along with something I know they will love that wasn't on their registry. For example - I gave a close friend of mine a set of stemless wine glasses along with a very nice bottle of wine. But I always make that decision based on what I can afford.

I give based on if I am attending or not. If I am going then I give a $25-50 gift for the shower and wedding gift, then a card for $100 for each seat I am given.

If I am not attending and just sending a card instead, I will gift $200-300.

Give what you can. We had a friend give us $1000, a very good friend give us a $25 amazon gift certificate and everything in between It was all very generous and appreciated.

I've never given less than $100 per person.

They say the gift should be equal to your meal price. So give more if it's a nicer venue and less if it's a more causal/ inexpensive one.

Give what you can. I gave my cousin $40 at his wedding, it was all i could afford. And he if thought that was to little then he should have sent it back

I've always hear that it's 100 a person.

FI and I give $200 to people we're not super close to and $300 to those we are. This definitely varies by age, income, social circle and area, though!

Thanks everyone!

We usually do about $100

Every wedding I have been to, I have given at least $200 dollars. If it is a good friend, or relative, I usually give at least $400. $50 seems very low to me.