Dan Whittaker, personal finance expert here at CashLady.com, has outlined four steps that guests can follow to decide just how much or how little they should spend on the bride and groom’s present.
“The decision of how much is appropriate to spend on a wedding gift can often be a balancing act between the quality of the gift and what you can afford. There is no right or wrong answer for how much a wedding present should cost you, but there are a few things that you can take into consideration to help you choose the amount of cash to splash for this special occasion.”
Consider your relationship with the bride and groom
“A good marker for how much you should spend on a wedding gift is how close you are to the married couple and what your role in the wedding will be. Guests attending the main event may choose to spend upwards of £50 on their wedding gift, with close friends and family members in particular likely to spend the most out of everybody. However, this is all down to personal preference, and you should only commit to spending this amount if you feel comfortable doing so.
“Those only invited to the evening reception aren’t necessarily expected to bring a gift at all, but if you’re feeling generous and have the money to spare, then a gift costing around £25 is typical. A bouquet of flowers or a bottle of wine are simple but great choices, both of which could fall under this price point.”
Budget alone or group together
“If you’re gifting the wedding couple on your own, take into account how much you can afford individually. Solo gifters may find anything above £50 a bit of a stretch on their bank balance, so always spend within your means.
“Alternatively, grouping together is a great way to spread the cost of a wedding present. This takes the pressure off gift-buying by allowing each person to contribute small amounts towards a larger gift that an individual may not be able to afford on their own. A group of five people, for example, could spend £50 or more on a wedding gift while only having to contribute around £10 each.”
Make your own gift
“A present doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. If you’re racking your brain for gift ideas that fall under £50, then getting stuck into some arts and crafts and making your own wedding present is a great way to save money without compromising on value.
“DIY gifts are the perfect chance to tailor your present to the bride and groom. From personalised photo albums to paintings depicting the happy couple, the time and effort put into making your gift can often be more meaningful than the present itself and costs far less than the shop-bought alternative.”
Only spend what you can afford
“If you’re struggling to determine just how much you should spend on your wedding gift, then the most important step is to stay within your means. Although it can help to know how much a guest may spend on average, this is only a rough guide, and you should never feel pressured to spend more than you can realistically afford.
“A wedding should be a fun occasion for everyone involved and often just making the effort to attend can go a long way and be just as meaningful to the bride and groom. If you do want to bring a physical gift, then setting a personal budget, no matter how big or small, is equally as acceptable. It’s the thought that counts.”