1. Gift off registry 2. Cash/Check enough to cover plate 3. Similar cash gift regardless of venue 4. Cash + Registry Gift
I usually give enough to cover my plate and then a little extra for a gift.
I think I didn't do this right in the past because one of my best friends got married at a cheaper venue and now I feel I didn't 'give' enough. I was a poor grad student then though.
Now I am making better money and want to give her a better wedding gift but her wedding was 1.5 yrs ago. It's too late to try to give a better wedding gift now, right?
DeniseMang
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Re: When you attend a wedding as a guest....
Hi,
I just went to a wedding last night of my best friend's little brother. I love him and known him since he was 5. He gave us $150 at our wedding 5 years ago (he was by himself). I wanted to reciprocate and give $300 from DH and I, but we have 6 weddigns this year. Plus, I am in 1. I stay at home and it is killing us financially.
So, I gave $200 for DH and myself. Do you think this is horrible. I now feel bad and wished I gave $250. Please be honest with me.
Denise
the future mrs m
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Re: When you attend a wedding as a guest....
We usually give anywhere from 300- 500 per couple. 500 is reserved for very best friends, though.
mandysmom503
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Re: When you attend a wedding as a guest....
We usually give enough to cover the plate and a little extra. And it also depends if it's friends or family. At a basic friend wedding we'll give $200-$250. It's what we feel is appropriate.
kellysue
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Re: When you attend a wedding as a guest....
It is hard to compare because we are all in different financial situations. You gave what you could!!! Don't feel bad about it. Of course we all want to give more, but who can put a price on friendship?
I think I would feel awful if someone felt obliged to give me more but could not afford it. This happened to me actually. I was a bridesmaid in a dear friends wedding but was in graduate school living on 1200-1500 a semester. I had previously saved...earmarking money for the wedding but was I surprised at how expensive it was. I had already spent upwards of 1000 on the wedding between flight, hotel, dress, hair, shoes, shower gift, engagement gift. I was at the point that I would have to apply for more loans or get a 3rd job to give a gift. I talked to my friend and she absolutely understood. Of course, I still feel that I owe her something and now that she has a baby on the way it seems like perfect timing.
I know this might not be the norm on this site and some might be taken aback by my not gift giving but my friend was not and that is the most important!!!
DeniseMang
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Re: When you attend a wedding as a guest....
Thank you all for your honesty. You have a good friend there! :) It is not about the money, but the fact that you are 'THERE'. I know that too. I just feel a little bad, I could have threw in another $50. I would have felt better if I did. It is just hard, every month from July to December, we have a wedding. And in October, I am a bridesmaid.. It is very costly... I just feel I gave the minimum and that kind of makes me a little sad, but I know they are not about the money either. :)
november152008
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Re: When you attend a wedding as a guest....
for weddings i give cash gift...for a regular wedding i will give 300-400...for someone closer like if we are in the bridal party definitly 500+ and when my sisters got married it was 1000.... weddings are so exspensive to i try to at least cover the two plates....
the only time i buy a gift is for the bridal shower and i stick to what the couple registered for
and for the engagement party if there is one i give around 100pp so basically 200... if there is no engagement party typically i send a card with about 100....
nifheim
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Re: When you attend a wedding as a guest....
Posted by Bridex100
What do you usually give as a wedding gift?
Now I am making better money and want to give her a better wedding gift but her wedding was 1.5 yrs ago. It's too late to try to give a better wedding gift now, right?
First off - no do not give another gift unless their registry is still open. Don't send a another card with money in it because hey that is what situation you were in when it happened. When they have a baby or a new house, etc then give a bit extra. Or take them out for dinner.
Secondly - you give what you can afford ALWAYS as a guest to a wedding. We have a few couples that make no money and have to deal with rent and children if they just show up we would be honored to have them at our wedding. We don't need their money or gift just to 'cover' their plates. We gave this wedding for ourselves so we can see our family and friends NOT TO MAKE MONEY!!!!!!
WIth that being said we just went to a wedding where I know we only gave enough to maybe cover our plate - Why? Because we have our wedding to think about, our bills to pay and we know the couple didn't pay for the wedding her parents did. They own a house and they are very well off - fh and I are not. I think they would understand and if they don't piss off. I really don't care. $200.00 for us is a lot right now.
If fh and I have money it is no less then $200 ever but no more then $300 unless you are a VERY close family member.
That is my opinion on the matter
KitWisdom
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Re: When you attend a wedding as a guest....
Posted by november152008
for weddings i give cash gift...for a regular wedding i will give 300-400...for someone closer like if we are in the bridal party definitly 500+ and when my sisters got married it was 1000.... weddings are so exspensive to i try to at least cover the two plates....
the only time i buy a gift is for the bridal shower and i stick to what the couple registered for
and for the engagement party if there is one i give around 100pp so basically 200... if there is no engagement party typically i send a card with about 100....
Can I invite YOU to my engagement party and wedding?!