A reasonable wedding gift amount depends on your relationship and budget, but generally ranges from $50-$70 for acquaintances, $100-$150 for friends, and $150-$200+ for close family, with many experts suggesting giving enough to cover your plate if possible, though no one should feel stressed about affording a gift. Consider the couple's financial situation, the event's cost, and cultural norms when deciding.
Yes, $100 from a couple is generally considered a perfectly acceptable wedding gift, often falling within the standard range for friends and acquaintances, especially considering it's $100 total from both people; many sources suggest $100-$150 per person for close friends, so $100 as a combined gift from a couple is thoughtful and sufficient, though closer relationships or higher-end weddings might warrant more if affordable, always prioritizing personal budget and relationship depth over strict rules.
if you follow Australian/western etiquette, the guideline for gifting tradition, a guest should spend approximately the same amount the bride & groom spend on the dinner. so it would be reasonable to expect to give approx $150 per person for most weddings.
The average amount for a cash wedding gift is usually between $100 and $150. One guideline is to gift enough to “cover your plate,” or the cost of hosting you as a guest. You might consider giving more if you're close to the couple and can afford it.
Average Wishing Well Contributions Across Australia
Close Friends: $100-$200 Your best mates, wedding party members, and friends you see regularly typically fall into this range. Extended Family: $80-$150 Cousins, aunts, uncles, and family friends usually contribute in this bracket.
Immediate family or very close friends: $200–$350 is common, sometimes higher for milestone celebrations. Friends, colleagues, or more distant relations: $75–$150 is typical, though a memorable, smaller gift can be just as appreciated.
The 30/5 Rule for weddings is a time-management guideline that says tasks normally taking 5 minutes can take 30 minutes on your wedding day due to distractions, while important 30-minute events (like the ceremony) can fly by in 5 minutes, so you must build in buffer time for the former and savor the latter, creating a realistic, relaxed schedule that accounts for unexpected delays. It helps ensure smooth transitions by adding extra minutes for setup, photos, and guest interactions, preventing stress and allowing couples to enjoy the day.
According to recent data and search trends, the average wedding gift amount in 2025 falls between $100 and $150 per guest. This range reflects the rising costs of living we're all feeling while still honoring the couple and their big day and can change based on your relationship to the couple!
We suggest the following breakdown: coworkers or distant relatives should spend $50 to $100. Friends or relatives, $100 to $150. For close friends, family members, or if you're in the wedding party, you should spend $150 dollars or more.
However, it's advised that guests spend around $100 to $150 on their contribution—this rule pertains to both cash and tangible wedding presents. That number can also increase to $150 to $250 if an individual is extremely close to the couple, if they have a sizable budget, or if they're bringing a plus-one.
Bottom line: There's no hard-and-fast rule on how much cash to give as a wedding gift. Wedding experts advise starting at $100. From there, you may want to adjust up to $500 based on factors such as your relationship with the couple, your budget and the cost of your attendance at the wedding.
"It really depends on how close you are to the couple, but most guests give anywhere between $150 and $300 per person," she said. "Close friends and family often give more, especially with smaller weddings becoming the norm.
Ultimately, the best wedding gifts are those given with love and sincerity. Whether you choose to give cash, fine jewelry, or another meaningful item, $500 is an exceptional amount that reflects generosity and thoughtfulness.
If you're close friends, family members, or part of the wedding party, you might decide to send a gift in the $50 to $100 range. For people who you don't know as well, like co-workers, shopping from the registry for something around the $25 mark is more than OK.
According to the experts, the average wedding gift amount for an individual person hovers right around $100 to $150, though that can increase or decrease based on how close you are to the couple and whether or not you're attending with a plus-one.
For distant relatives or acquaintances, a gift of $50 to $150 per person is considerate. For those closer to you, or if you're feeling more generous, $150 to $300 per person can be a good range.
Key takeaways. The average wedding gift is $100–$150 per wedding guest. But many factors can nudge that gift amount up or down. Make sure you aren't giving more than you can afford.
Check out the couple's wedding registry, and pick something that's relatively affordable (think less than $50), or maybe contribute some money to their honeymoon cash fund. The amount you put toward the gift should reflect your closeness to this family member.
Economists often argue that the same monetary value in cash provides more “utility” to the recipient. Cash gifts allow recipients to allocate the funds according to their specific needs or desires, ensuring that the monetary value is used optimally.
The IRS allows individuals to give away a specific amount of assets or property each year tax-free. For 2025 and 2026, the annual gift tax exclusion is $19,000. This means a person can give up to $19,000 to as many people as they without having to pay any taxes on the gifts.
"The price point is absolutely up to you and what feels comfortable to you. For some, spending a little more might make sense because they aren't spending to attend the wedding. But the key is to spend what feels comfortable and generous for you," Maureen says.
Traditional etiquette guidelines suggest wedding guests should give a gift that costs a similar amount to their plate at the reception. By this logic, if you estimate your hosts are spending $50 to have you at their wedding, your gift should cost about $50—the price of a good toaster, for example.
The groom's family traditionally paid for all costs associated with the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon, wedding day transportation, and the officiant. The groom also paid for the bride's engagement ring, wedding ring, and groomsmen gifts. It is also common for the groom's family to pay for the alcohol at the reception.
Don't wear white (the bride has dibs on that colour), don't wear the same style and colour dress as the bridesmaids (check with the bride or bridesmaids before the wedding to find out what colour dresses they are wearing), and don't wear jeans – even if the wedding invitation says 'casual dress', try to stick to a ...
Golden hour happens just after sunrise or just before sunset when the sun is lower in the sky. This sun position makes the surrounding light soft and warm, dare I say, golden! It's simply the most flattering light to say “I do” in.