How much to give at a good friend's wedding?

[Cattlegod]

The person: Very good friend of mine from college (partied all the time, went to spring break together, etc, etc), haven't seen him in about 4 years. Have talked to him over the phone several times.

I will be bringing myself and a date. How much should I give? I was thinking $200 to cover both, but I'm not sure if that is low or high or right on.


He is a school teacher by trade, can't remember what she does.

I just found some of their registries. They have a bunch of crap from bed bath and beyond (5-20 bucks) and Yonkers (20-50 bucks). Not sure how this stuff works. Can I just select a few of those and be good to go?

 

[Sphexi]

Give, as in a donation? I can imagine bringing a gift, and maybe cash for a bar tab, but why a cash donation? You're not family, not really necessary I'd say. Get em a blender or something nice like that.

 

[mugs]

$200 is good.

 

[Squisher]

Good friend + bringing a date = $200 perfect.



I did $150 for the daughter of a friend and brought my wife, just last month.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

$200 sounds just about right.

 

[Cattlegod]

Cool, thanks guys. Looks like I'll be going with $200 bucks. Ugh, now I need to find some way to speed up the 10 hour drive

 

[kinev]

Ummmmm, is this a northern thing to give cash as a wedding gift? Or, do you mean how much should you spend on their gift? I've been to a lot of weddings and I've never given cash. Just find out where they're registered and get them something off of there.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Sphexi
Give, as in a donation? I can imagine bringing a gift, and maybe cash for a bar tab, but why a cash donation? You're not family, not really necessary I'd say. Get em a blender or something nice like that.

In general you'd usually want to cover at least the costs of the meal they are providing you. IMHO double that is fair...if you can afford more the better. There are exceptions to this like if the hosts are extremely wealthy and giving a $500/plate party. They invite you knowing you are just a student or average working guy. Usually they are just looking for your company.

An average wedding dinner can cost $20-60 per plate. If it's open bar then figure out what your drinks would usually cost you.

If you are traveling that is usually part of the consideration in the gifting.

To the OP, $200 should be more than adequate. IMHO it'd be one of the nicer gifts in an average wedding.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: kinev
Ummmmm, is this a northern thing to give cash as a wedding gift? Or, do you mean how much should you spend on their gift? I've been to a lot of weddings and I've never given cash. Just find out where they're registered and get them something off of there.

It's not a northern or southern deal....it's most people are already living together now or have there own stuff so don't need more stuff

In the old days when the chick usually was married right out of her parent's home, then the need for household goods was higher.

Money is always useful especially for those funding their own weddings.

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: kinev
Ummmmm, is this a northern thing to give cash as a wedding gift? Or, do you mean how much should you spend on their gift? I've been to a lot of weddings and I've never given cash. Just find out where they're registered and get them something off of there.

Sometimes they are not registered and someone just wants to help them get a good financial start in life, nothing wrong with that.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: kinev
Ummmmm, is this a northern thing to give cash as a wedding gift? Or, do you mean how much should you spend on their gift? I've been to a lot of weddings and I've never given cash. Just find out where they're registered and get them something off of there.

It's not a northern or southern deal....it's most people are already living together now or have there own stuff so don't need more stuff

In the old days when the chick usually was married right out of her parent's home, then the need for household goods was higher.

Money is always useful especially for those funding their own weddings.

yep. I'd rather get money than some gifts at my wedding. Unless if we have a registry somewhere

 

[akshatp]

I think $200 is about right...

You could also get a bunch of registry gifts totalling around $200, but I would rather get cash.