Wedding Gifts - How Much To Spend?

21/08/2009 6:20 am

Q. How much should I spend on a wedding gift?

A. Your budget will be dictated by your financial situation, how well you know the couple and the estimated wedding budget.

This is a common question by couples when registering gifts and from wedding guests when buying a wedding gift.

A rule used by many guests (and me when finances allow) is to cover the meal price. On average a wedding per head cost for dinner and drinks is between $80 and $120. If your budget is tight for this spend per guest (if you're invited as a couple that might be $160) then you can use your judgement, and consult your bank balance and the number of weddings you are invited to in that year. These are very practical thoughts on the issue.

If they are close friends or family you may wish to spend more than you would for a work colleague. And if you are travelling interstate for the wedding and spending money on a room you may spend less, taking in to account your travel budget.

Of course if you spot your gift on sale you can either give this gift alone, knowing it is worth the amount you were planning to spend, or you may wish to add to your gift to stay within your expected gift budget.

If you are invited to several weddings over the summer it is a very good idea to shop around for the gift on sale. Most registries will then take the gift off their list even if you didn't buy it there. You will just have to take care of the delivery of the gift to the couple's home, or to the wedding reception.

Generally the gift price should be something you are comfortable with, and should be spent on a gift you are happy to give (and would be happy to receive).

To afford the gift you want to give that is out of your budget at RRP, check out the post Christmas sales, or shop around online. When purchasing a gift that is ex-display, or onsale without a box keep in mind that although you know the sale item is new, the bride and groom may find it odd. Either explain how great the bargain was, or search on eBay with new, NIB (new in box) or NIP (new in packaging) to narrow your search to products that will come with the packaging.
Also good to keep in mind when buying gifts on sale or on an auction site, the newlyweds may not be able to return it if they receive another one, or if it breaks.