How Much Should You Spend On A Wedding Present?

When you're invited to a wedding, there are a lot of decisions to make, from whether to attend and what to wear to what gift to purchase for the happy couple. Most couples set up a bridal registry at a few of their favorite stores, so it'll be easy to pick out something they like. However, deciding how much to spend from your budget might be a bit more challenging. Depending on the couple's tastes and preferences, their wedding registry might include a range of price points, from uber-affordable items to extremely pricy or downright extravagant selections.

The good news is that there isn't really a hard-and-fast rule about how much you should spend on your wedding gift. Even if a couple registers for something that's very expensive, that doesn't mean they expect you — or anyone — to buy it for them. They might have registered for it on a whim or in case a group of friends or relatives want to join forces on a high-ticket item rather than buy gifts individually.

It's really up to you to decide how much to spend on a wedding gift, but even so, it's only natural to wonder what the standard practice is. According to a 2023 Shane Co. survey on wedding gifts, well over half of the people surveyed spent less than $100 on their gifts, while only 3% spent over $300. People generally tend to buy pricier gifts when they're very close to the bride and/or groom, such as family or very close friends, and can afford to do so.

This said, whatever your relationship with the couple, the wedding present you choose should fit comfortably into your budget. Some sources say $50 to $150 is a good range for wedding gifts, but that doesn't mean all wedding gifts have to cost at least $50. If the couple has registered for a lovely $25 item and it works well with your budget, then buy it for them. If you're comfortable spending more, by all means, feel free (but not obligated) to do so.

If you need to keep your outlay for such unexpected expenses fairly low, you may want to explore the possibility of pooling resources with others you know who were also invited to the wedding. That would allow you to contribute to a pricier item from the bridal registry rather than giving a lower-end selection all on your own. This can be an excellent option for coworkers when a colleague is getting married or for other groups connected to one of the betrothed, such as cousins of the bride or groom or a group of friends who go way, way back.

Ultimately, how much you spend isn't really what will matter to the happy couple. No matter what, they wouldn't want you to feel pressured to spend more on a gift for them than you can comfortably afford. Whatever you decide to buy, they're sure to appreciate the fact that you took the time to honor their nuptials with any kind of gift at all. Truly, it is the thought that counts. They might even prefer your presence at the wedding to a wedding present.