What is the "going rate" of a wedding gift these days.../ per person? Sit down dinner?

Question

What is the "going rate" of a wedding gift these days.../ per person? Sit down dinner?

Answer 1

$100 per person, $150 per couple.........at the least.

Answer 2

Because this was soooo well said and the only right/true/valid answer,  I will just repeat:

There is no rate on a gift.

A gift is just that somethng that comes from the free will and heart of the giver.

A wedding gift is not supposed to compensate for the cost of the wedding even if is Per person and sit down.

Your guests are under no obligation to bring anything but themselves.

Thank you, CindyLu - you are the only smart answer I've heard to this repetitive question - EVER!!!!

Answer 3

depends on the venue and food, about $50 pp

Answer 4

I just had a wedding shower and most people spent between $50 and $75.

Answer 5

Any gift should be enough to cover the cost of your dinner & drinks at the reception - then double that number and that is the amount you should spend on a gift.

So if 2 people - 30 per person for dinner & drinks, doubled = $120 gift.  Adjust accordingly.  You should have a pretty good idea about the reception based on its location  so go by that in estimating the cost of the food you eat and drinks they might provide.  Don't include any cash bar expense.

Answer 6

I don't have wealthy relatives on my side and I had my wedding in rural city so most people give between $20-50 as a wedding gift.  Besides, a gift is not required.  I have guests at my wedding that did not give a gift and I was not upset.  People give what they can afford.  Unless I was going to a wedding of a best friend or sibling, I would probably not give more than $50.

To the people who say it should cover the cost of the meal, that's not true.  When you invite people to an event to celebrate your marriage, do not expect them to give you a gift that is equivalent to the amount you are spending per person.  A wedding is not an excuse to earn money.  If you choose to have an expensive wedding do not rely on others to cover the cost of it.  That's ridiculous and VERY, VERY selfish.

Answer 7

It depends. I'm only 21 and still in college. When I go to weddings I give $50. My parents however give at least $100.

Answer 8

Your wedding gift (a purchased gift or cash) should ONLY be based on ONE THING . . and that is your personal relationship with the Bride and/or Groom.  It has absolutely NOTHING to do with the "going rate" of cheese and crackers or a chicken dinner.

Is the Bride or Groom a brother or sister?

Is the Bride or Groom a childhood friend or neighbor?

Is the Bride or Groom a close college friend?

Is the Bride or Groom someone you work with closely everyday and have become good friends?

Is the Bride or Groom someone you work with and see rarely?

Is the Bride or Groom your boss?

If this Bride and Groom are special people in your life than give them A NICE GIFT if you can afford it.  If this Bride and Groom are special people in your life and you can only afford to give them a small gift now, then give them what you can afford and maybe on their first anniversary you can take them out for Sunday Brunch.

Answered by:  A Certified wedding specialist / A Professional bridal consultant / A Wedding ceremony officiant

Answer 9

There is no rate on a gift.  A gift is just that somethng that comes from the free will and heart of the giver.  A wedding gift is not supposed to compensate for the cost of the wedding even if is Per person and sit down.  Your guests are under no obligation to bring anything but themselves.

Answer 10

Your gift should be roughly comparable in price to the amount spent per guest for dinner and cocktails.  If you bring a guest then your gift should reflect that.

Answer 11

What is your income?  I generally suggest 15% of your two week income.  If you are really close with the couple you can certainly do more.  That usually works out to be about $50 if they are poor college kids or a working, single adult.  $100 if you are part of a financially well established couple.  Again though, make sure the value of your gift is appropriate to your personal finances, don't feel obligated to meet some arbitrary amount.

The whole concept of "cover your plate" is stupid.  It was created by greedy brides to shame guests into giving more than they can afford.  This is a wedding and NOT a fund raiser.  As a guest it's not your problem if the couple decided they wanted to spend $200 per guest, they could have chosen something more affordable if that's their choice.  On the same token you should not penalize a couple because they are responsible and plan a "cheap" wedding when they are short on cash.