Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

Original post by jilmadison

Dec 28, 2005 03:51 PM

You were given as gifts?

SomethingBlu Posted: Dec 28, 2005 05:20 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

Posted by Bridex100

I think it depends on the venue. If it is a 'cheaper' venue, the standard person would probably give $100. If it is a pricer place, $200.

I'm going to expect $100 per person even if I know I'll spend much more per person.

I think this is a crazy way to think about it. Really and truly. I think it depends on your guests, period. It could be at the Waldorf but if they don't know that it's a 'pricier' place then they would give the same as they always would. Speaking from experience, and I think Diva can back this, it's all about the guests.

ShortBride Posted: Dec 28, 2005 05:27 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

I'm not sure what our average was. We did come close to making up the cost of the whole wedding, but our venue was cheaprer than most.

Definatly don't expect people to 'cover their plate', some simply can't afford that, etc. We also did get some actual gifts, although most people gave $.

WedHead Posted: Dec 28, 2005 05:32 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

Posted by SomethingBlu

Posted by Bridex100

I think it depends on the venue. If it is a 'cheaper' venue, the standard person would probably give $100. If it is a pricer place, $200.

I'm going to expect $100 per person even if I know I'll spend much more per person.

I think this is a crazy way to think about it. Really and truly. I think it depends on your guests, period. It could be at the Waldorf but if they don't know that it's a 'pricier' place then they would give the same as they always would. Speaking from experience, and I think Diva can back this, it's all about the guests.

I agree - you can't bank on making more $$ from gifts if you choose to hold your wedding at a more costly venue. I've known people who have had their weddings at Oheka and Flowerfield who can vouch that $100 per person is average. Some guests try to take into consideration the cost of the venue, but most do not- especially the older generation that cannot fathom what we are spending on our weddings these days.

hmm8191 Posted: Dec 28, 2005 05:33 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

for 2 people I would say $200

Edited to say I would never expect a person to base their gift on the location.

Jan05Bride Posted: Dec 28, 2005 05:39 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

Posted by Bridex100

I think it depends on the venue. If it is a 'cheaper' venue, the standard person would probably give $100. If it is a pricer place, $200.

I think if you polled every single newlywed from LIW/NYCW you will find that completely and utterly false.

nferrandi Posted: Dec 28, 2005 05:41 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

I had my wedding at what would be considered a 'pricey' hall and I still averaged about $100 per person.

ssdbk Posted: Dec 28, 2005 05:44 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

I don't try to guess about the place when I go to a wedding. If they have it at a more expensive place, it is not up to me to subsidize. Also, I can't really tell what people spent. I have friends who picked a very costly venue but they hired less expensive photographers, music, had no video or favors, etc. And I only know that because they told me. I basically give based on my relationship with the person.

Also, you should be prepared to receive some actual gifts. I got a lot of registry gifts that were sent to me the week of the wedding. One person spent about $600 on registry items as a wedding gift.

WedHead Posted: Dec 28, 2005 05:48 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

Posted by Jan05Bride

Posted by Bridex100

I think it depends on the venue. If it is a 'cheaper' venue, the standard person would probably give $100. If it is a pricer place, $200.

I think if you polled every single newlywed from LIW/NYCW you will find that completely and utterly false.

I agree - I think I may start a poll just out of curiosity. I am always torn by this - especially now that I know what most places on LI cost. I like to try to cover my plate but sometimes it's just not possible - and I would never want to give an acquaintance the same amt I would give a close friend or relative, just b/c their venue is more expensive.

suven Posted: Dec 28, 2005 05:54 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

There really wasn't an average. One single man gave us $1,000. One middle aged COUPLE gave us $50.

I guess the most common gift was $200 from a couple, but really, I had no average.

marymoon Posted: Dec 28, 2005 05:55 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

My sister got I think average $100 p/p...but some people brought no gifts and some gave a lot. it really depends on the guests. Are they rich or poor? Are they from OOT or nearby? Are most of them family or are they friends and co-workers? I think that's more important than the place. I give based on the person, not the location.

MayBride06 Posted: Dec 28, 2005 05:57 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

Posted by Bridex100

I think it depends on the venue. If it is a 'cheaper' venue, the standard person would probably give $100. If it is a pricer place, $200.

I'm going to expect $100 per person even if I know I'll spend much more per person.

Disagree. We went to a wedding at Oheka in April, and gave them $250 from the both of us. Their venue was more than $300 per head! That's what we could afford.

ShortBride Posted: Dec 28, 2005 05:58 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

Posted by ssdbk

I don't try to guess about the place when I go to a wedding. If they have it at a more expensive place, it is not up to me to subsidize.

I agree very much. I've had friends who have had super expensive weddings, but that was thier/their parents' choice. I give the same no matter where it is, based upon how much I can give and my relationship with the person...

there was a wedding on 'whose wedding is it anyway' that was over $1000 per person! If their guests were to 'cover their plate', it woudl have been $2000 per couple!

Blu-ize Posted: Dec 28, 2005 06:06 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

Posted by WedHead

Posted by SomethingBlu

Posted by Bridex100

I think it depends on the venue. If it is a 'cheaper' venue, the standard person would probably give $100. If it is a pricer place, $200.

I'm going to expect $100 per person even if I know I'll spend much more per person.

I think this is a crazy way to think about it. Really and truly. I think it depends on your guests, period. It could be at the Waldorf but if they don't know that it's a 'pricier' place then they would give the same as they always would. Speaking from experience, and I think Diva can back this, it's all about the guests.

I agree - you can't bank on making more $$ from gifts if you choose to hold your wedding at a more costly venue. I've known people who have had their weddings at Oheka and Flowerfield who can vouch that $100 per person is average. Some guests try to take into consideration the cost of the venue, but most do not- especially the older generation that cannot fathom what we are spending on our weddings these days.

I agree. It's about what people can afford. If I went to a wedding at Oheka this Saturday and a wedding at the KofC in Seaford, it would be the same gift. Not knocking the KofC ladies..just less expensive than Oheka. Please don't flame.

brooklynbridezilla Posted: Dec 28, 2005 06:31 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

People will shock you, both good and bad. YOU CAN NEVER TELL, and there is no formula to figure it out.

Seriously, that is the truth. It went from $0 and NO CARD to $550 from one family.

lrs2005 Posted: Dec 28, 2005 07:01 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

I just went through our gifts received list and our average per person cash gift was 155. that includes only people who gave us cash at the wedding and people who sent us cash but did not come.

I will say that our cash gifts ranged from 18 to 3000 per person.

edsprincess Posted: Dec 28, 2005 07:11 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

well our max was $300 from my bridesmade(his sis) who brought her husband (best man) and son (ringbearer). The least amount which is PATHETIC was $150. I reserved 5 but only 4 came. thats $30 pp!!!!!!

JimmysBride Posted: Dec 28, 2005 07:51 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

I averaged I think around $150 per couple... that's $75 a person. Though some gave significantly more.

jportjeff Posted: Dec 28, 2005 08:40 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

This is what I found..

new yorkers or long islanders - 150-250 a person.

non-long islanders 75-150 per person

friends - 75-200 per person

o17range Posted: Dec 28, 2005 09:16 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

I honestly couldn't tell you an 'Average' amount for our guests, but I can tell you that you shouldn't 'expect' your recently married guests to reciprocate equally or more generously.

Just be happy they were there to celebrate with you.

MrsMichel07 Posted: Dec 28, 2005 09:21 PM

Re: Past Brides: What was the average amount of money

Posted by babybug631

My average was 163.00 pp. The biggest gift I got was $3000. The smallest was $50. And my Dad's cousins gave my savings bonds. What's up with that????? I can't even cash them.