(Closed) What is the typical amount of money given at Weddings?

posted 6 years ago in Money
Post # 3
593 posts
Busy bee
  • Wedding: March 2013

I think it not only depends on region but also different families. Obviously, some families have more money than others and even within families, not every guest can give the same. I have not had my wedding yet so I have NO idea but I was asking a friend whose wedding was last year this same question and this is what she told me.. CLOSE family and friends (friends who were practically family) gave anywhere from $100-250. Extended family and family friends gave around $100-$150. There personal friends gave anywhere from $50-$100. Now, she got married 8 months after graduation from college and not many of her friends has established careers yet or were still in college. If your friends are younger and less established, they will give less (understandably so). 

Post # 4
120 posts
Blushing bee
  • Wedding: June 2013

I live in the northeast, and I am not expecting too much.  We figure it will probably not be more than $2000-$3000 from all our guests (50-60 guests).  My side is not very wealthy, actually they’re all broke.  And my fiance’s side has a few well-to-do people.

Post # 5
899 posts
Busy bee

I think a minunum of 50 can be expected and going up from there depending on how close they are… or how generous they are! 🙂

Post # 6
8695 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
  • Wedding: September 2013

I think the average in my area is $100-250. However, I’m positive a few of my single friends that have children will give about $50. I don’t mind. I would rather have them there! 

I usually give $100 if I am not that close to someone. If I am close to them I will give $200+

Post # 7
7561 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
  • Wedding: January 2013

We live in the midwest. Ours averaged out to $50 a guest exactly. Of course that means that some gave more, less or nothing at all. 

Post # 8
1181 posts
Bumble bee
  • Wedding: August 2013

I thing the average is $100 per person, but my Fiance and I are not depending on that at all as we may be very disappointed.

Post # 9
1024 posts
Bumble bee
  • Wedding: June 2014

i would guess and say $50/guest but closer relatives will be closer to 100-150

Post # 10
1629 posts
Bumble bee
  • Wedding: September 2013

$100+ PP in Ontario.

Post # 11
9181 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
  • Wedding: August 2013 - Rocky Mountains USA

Not sure as I’ve never gotten married!  But at weddings, we’ve usually given $50-100 as a couple – granted, we have been poor graduate students for most of that time, so maybe that’s stingy.  Weddings here are also pretty low-key though.

Post # 12
3461 posts
Sugar bee
  • Wedding: May 2012

Err, I live in the northwest and most couples don’t give several hundred, much less per person.  It really varies by family.  DH’s family gave about $100 per couple.  My family gave about $150 per couple.  I had a few relatives decline and send $50-100.  My very close family/friends (not many!) gave $200-350 per couple.  Our friends gave $100-175 per couple, most $100-150, with 1-2 at $50 per couple.  We had some not give anything at all as well.  Our direct guest costs (excluding things like DJ, dress, rings) were $143 per person.

That said, a Jewish friend of mine says it’s common for her parents to give $350 as a standard (non-close) gift.  So it really depends on your circle – wealth, generosity, community standards for giving, etc.

Post # 13
333 posts
Helper bee
  • Wedding: April 2016

$100-150pp in NY

Post # 14
1626 posts
Bumble bee
  • Wedding: July 2012

Where I grew up (northeast) it’s typical to get ~$200 from a couple.  People closer to you generally gift more (relatives I saw regularly growing up averaged ~$400), people who are younger or less financially stable gift less (my grad school friends averaged ~$50, and I was shocked by that after they flew all the way in for the wedding!).  But ~$200 was the average.

One of the more interesting ones was a couple who didn’t even come to the wedding and I have never met! My father invited a couple who were his work clients and that he became close to–my parents even went to their daughter’s wedding the year before.  They sent us a check for $2,000. YUP. Granted, these are people who are obscenely wealthy so for them it was probably pocket change.  For what it’s worth, they are El Salvadorans originally from France.

Post # 15
9954 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
  • Wedding: December 2012

Where I live in Canada, the norm seems to be around $ 50 per couple (be that cash, cheque or gift value). 

Close friends and relatives tend to give more… $ 100 per couple, and up.

Mr TTR and I when we give Wedding Presents we are somewhere in that ball park as well.

Gift only (not going to Wedding or Reception) around $ 50 to $ 100

Going to Wedding or Reception … then $ 100 and up

Close Friends & Family $ 150 to $ 200

— — —

And for the record, one cannot count on the “Cover One’s Plate” concept whatsoever… first there is NO Rule of Etiquette to this effect.  And more often than not, you’ll never come close at all to breaking even at a Wedding (Receptions are meant to be celebrations for friends & family… not fundraisers).  So when working out your budget for things, bear that in mind.  ONLY spend what you can afford, and honestly want to do / spend.


Post # 16
1966 posts
Buzzing bee
  • Wedding: September 2013

Around here I’d say between $100-$300 cash, most will try to cover their plate. More from close family. But I’ve heard a lot less from different bees. Guess it depends on your location & circle of people. 

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