Whether it's a 30th birthday or a wedding, if you're invited to a celebratory party, it's customary for a guest to bring a gift. But if you don't bring one, you aren't breaking any laws. More than likely, you won't be called out for your social faux pas, but it will probably be noticed.
Giving a wedding gift is the right thing to do (although there are some exceptions), it's in good form, and the vast majority of wedding guests will give a gift—but some won't.
A fairly classy way around the situation is to send a thank-you note anyway, just for coming. If they forgot to get you a gift in the first place, it serves as a reminder. If they were never planning on sending you one, it's a nice gesture of appreciation for a friend or family member who chose to celebrate your love.
While traditional wedding etiquette indicates that giving a gift isn't technically mandatory, it is highly encouraged. Plus, weddings are huge milestones that deserve to be celebrated, and you probably want to shower the couple with love to honor their big day.
So if no gifts are expected at your party, it's pretty much necessary to say so. And if you are the recipient of an invitation asking you not to bring a gift, it's polite to honor the wishes of the host. Don't bring a gift. In this case, doing so is impolite.
"Saying something like 'Your presence is all that I/we wish for. Please save gifts for the next wedding or party you attend! ' is a warm way to make the request. Adding a more playful line can also help to soften the request.
A typical wedding gift is around $100. The exact amount depends on your personal budget and relationship to the couple, among other factors. Aug. 18, 2022, at 4:18 p.m.
The average wedding gift amount hovers right around $100, which is a great place to start, and you can increase or decrease that based on how close you are. If you're very close or related to the couple (and have the wiggle room in your budget), you may choose to spend more—about $150 per guest (or $200 from a couple).
THE ETIQUETTE
She offers these guidelines to wedding-goers wherever they might be: A distant relative or co-worker should give $75-$100; a friend or relative, $100-$125; a closer relative, up to $150.
That said, it's highly likely that not every guest at a wedding will oblige. In fact, it's been estimated that between 7 and 10% of guests at a wedding fail to give a gift.
Traditional wedding etiquette states that if you can't attend the wedding, you are not obligated to send a wedding gift. However, what you decide to do may depend much more on your relationship with the happy couple than on etiquette.
Once again, the answer is yes. Everyone who attends your big day deserves a thank-you card, even if they don't give a wedding gift.
Family members are projected to spend at least $127. Even if you aren't close to the couple, however, it's not very considerate to spend less than $50 on a gift. If you're a coworker or a distant friend, the minimum wedding gift amount you can get away with is $50 to $75.
Upon consulting the experts, a wedding gift should range from $75 to $750—but most agree that $300+ is the sweet spot.
Here is a general rule of thumb: For acquaintances and coworkers, giving the couple a gift of $50 may be appropriate. However, if a guest is closer to them, they may want to aim for at least $75 to $100. If a guest has a close relationship with the couple, $200 is an excellent cash wedding gift amount.
$100 to $250 is a safe range for a cash gift at a wedding
“Most couples request cash gifts on their wedding day to help them begin their new life chapter. How much you give at a destination or local wedding depends on your relationship with them and your budget,” he says.
Traditionally, etiquette states that spending between $100 and $200 is appropriate for a wedding gift, but there are a few other factors to consider.
“If the couple doesn't drink, I recommend a $30 to $50 gift that reflects the couples interest together,” she says. You can check Groupon for local activities and things to do, or choose a gift you know they'll both appreciate.
How do you say no gifts just money? We really would appreciate a little money of our own, instead of a little gift for our new home!” We know you want to find something nice But it's such a hassle to find the right price So come and enjoy the day all sunny We really would appreciate a little money.
The short answer is yes. If a parent goes to the trouble to say “no gifts,” they 100% do not expect anyone to bring a gift. In fact, they will probably be happy that you were attentive to their request.
Long answer, everything has changed. While it is rude not to acknowledge a gift, and while there seems to be an epidemic of silence by gift recipients, I think it's oversimplifying to add 1+1 and declare an epidemic of rudeness.
We turned to a couple of Southern etiquette experts for advice on how to handle the delicate conversation. For starters, they say it's not rude to ask if someone has received your gift.