I know it's customary to give enough money as a gift to cover your head at a wedding.
These days everyone asks for money. The wedding I'm invited to with my partner is 'cocktail style', so just finger food.
Personally, how much would you give as a gift for you and your partner?
For just a friend, not family or super close friend.
Edit: The venue is still considered nice.
Are giftcards considered tacky?
I was considering giving a $100 giftcard and then a $60ish bottle of alcohol the groom likes.
why a gift card over cash ?
gift card boxes someone into buying something they might not actually need.
It's a Woolworths one I already have, I feel tacky even asking, which probably means it's tacky…
If the wedding is on December for example and you give them a gift card that was obviously issued on March, well yeh tacky and cheap
I'm from a tiny town where people tend to have 5 kids with 5 different surnames and rarely get married.
Need to get my city etiquette in check :')
I would have said $100. People have tended to do about $150 per couple at the last weddings I've been to (including my own), but those are proper sit down 3-course meals. Finger food and free beer doesn't warrant much more I reckon
I don't think anybody would be upset if you tipped in $100. I reckon others will do this amount too.
$150 would be generous considering the relationship.
If you are the rich uncle or similar, it is good form to put forward a bit more.
My own favourite moves are:
1) As well as the real card & cash, give them another card with $trillion Zimbabwe dollars in it:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_sop=15&_n…
2) If they have a 'wishing well' type arrangement to collect the cash, throw a handful of 5c and 10c pieces in as well as your real gift. They will always wonder who the tight guest is who gave them just pocket change. I got slapped by a friend after 15 years of marriage when I came clean on that one. She and her husband had argued for years whether it was his country cousin or her alcoholic aunt who had dudded them. (she was laughing with the slap!)
I'm amazed that people actually believe that you are expected to cover the cost of catering for you at a wedding. The couple having the wedding made the choices they made, and I'm not paying for their choices.
I am of the opinion that you give what you believe is appropriate for your relationship with them, and for your own financial situation. No-one should be making assumptions that you should give a minimum of $100. That would be the absolute maximum I'd give, for a very close relative or friend. And it would hurt me financially to do it.
It's not so much that couples expect others to cover the cost of the wedding, but as close friends and family of the couple we should try and help them out as much as possible (within our means), as wedding receptions are quite expensive to hold. Of course, if they're close friends they should be understanding if your financial situation doesn't allow you to contribute to their wedding gift. If they're not close friends, you could consider just attending the ceremony or making an excuse not to attend. It's quite simple really.
I think making an excuse not to come would look worse than a present of $50, but that's my opinion. At my own wedding, I had a registry with very cheap items, and didn't want anyone to think I expected them to pay me, or give me expensive things. I had items such as a pizza tray for $10, which I still love and use.
If you have no respect and are a tight ass, then don't go?
If it is a close family member getting married i am sure your family knows of your financial struggle so you are given some lee-way but you try your best to help the newly married couple. Whereas if you attend a wedding of a normal friend (who doesn't know about your whole life situation) and give barely anything as a present, that would be embarrassing on your behalf. Mind you, you are usually told months in advance about a wedding so I am sure you can put some money a side weekly.
Goodness me…people have a wedding - once in a life time event.
If you are not friend, don't attend.
If you are friend, pay at least part of your own costs, with/without getting a gift. don't turn up for banquet for free/cheap drinks and meals, just go for the ceremony and then say goodbye.
i think the minimum should be as much as it costs to host the event, and then a bit extra to help the new couple out depending on how generous you feel
a cocktail reception shouldn't be too expensive so maybe $150 for me and girlfriend?