What is the correct amount for a gift card or personal check as a wedding gift?

Question

My husband's co-worker is getting married. My husband is an attorney and works in a professional office. We are going to the ceremony and reception. I don't believe in the "pay for your plate" theory because I had a very fancy wedding (which cost my parents a bundle) and we never expected guests to pay for their plate via a gift or monetary amount. At that point they are not "guests." What would be a nice amount to give under the circumstances. I haven't been to a wedding in a few years and need some good info.

Answer 1

I just want to say that I agree with you about the check not needing to cover the plate.  That has never made any sense to me.  Why does somebody who is poorer and has to pay for the wedding themselves deserve anything less than somebody with wealthy parents who are throwing an extravagant bash for them?  I always thought the point of a wedding gift was to congratulate the couple, not to repay them for having bought you dinner.

Anyway, I have heard that the check should be equivalent to how close you are to the person and how much you can afford.  I was just married, and the checks I got being between $50 and $600 with the majority being $100.  We had a fairly small wedding and only invited people we felt close to though.  If we had invited people we didn't know as well, we might have received smaller checks from some of them.  I think $25 sounds reasonable as a minimum if you don't have that much money and don't really know the person well.  If you can afford it though, I think you should try for at least $50.    

Answer 2

i always give what i can afford.

Answer 3

After asking around I gave $50 to my cousin at her wedding. However, my mother gave $100 from her and my dad.

Answer 4

There is no 'correct' amount as people should give only what they can afford. However, I do understand that there can be some one-upsmanship when attending a co-workers wedding. I've been to bat mitzvahs where the family attorney gave them $100, so I think if you can afford $50-$100, that would be sufficient.  

Answer 5

I just recently got married last month and most of the checks or cash we received were in the amount of $20-$25. If you know the person really well and you feel generous, I would say $50. My husband and I were surprised by some of the amounts we received from people we had not seen in years.  

Answer 6

Depends on how much you like the people and if you want to be invited to any other parties that they or people they know throw.  

Answer 7

$100 for a couple is the norm.  

Answer 8

i have never heard of anything like that before in my life! if they have a gift registry, i would just purchase something off of the registry.

did you say that you have to pay for your plate??? i had to read that a few times.

anyway, i definitely would not give more than $50 and at least $30. Since it is you and your husband, that should be enough. I might be on the cheap side but I really wanted to say $30.

Answer 9

I've been to several weddings and I always give $100.  Even though giving a donation is not required, you don't want to come across as cheap.

Answer 10

Your husband needs to ask around to his colleagues at the firm. If he is a partner and all the partners are giving $100, he should, too. If he is an associate and the associates are giving $25, he should, too.

I would think all of the partners or associates and their spouses would go together on a large and memorable gift myself but since they are not, he really should try to fit in with the other colleagues at the firm so he neither comes of as ostentatious nor cheap.

This could make a difference in his professional life so be careful.

If he does not feel comfortable asking colleagues or it is a small firm, I think $50 should do it, and a gift card instead of a check.

Answer 11

I think it depends on how close you are to the bride and groom. However, think about it. If you were getting married tomorrow, what would you expect. I just got married recently, and lots of people gave us 20 dollar bills or 25 on gift certificates, and if everyone does that,m then it actually ends up to be a lot. If someone is close however, i would say 50-100. What ever you can afford.  

Answer 12

$50-$100 should suffice

Answer 13

reguardless of wealthy or non wealthy people, the amount should be $25. If your a bit closer to the couple then $50. and if its family, then $75. But remember...if there is a money dance, then that counts as a gift as well...so say you put $25, then do about $10 or $15 for the money dance ya  know...

Answer 14

100 $