To not know what to give to this?

[loosewomensucks]

Wedding this weekend, unfortunately a large unexpected bill cropped up and wiped out our 'luxury' reserve fund which would usually be used for maybe a monthly takeaway, new clothes for the kids, the odd coffee out, ice creams when we go to a NT property etc. We're talking about £100 a month we usually use for this.

This month it was going to be used as part wedding gift and part spending money at the wedding.

Due to not having more than £20 to spare on the wedding gift side of things I am unsure what to do for the gift?

Keeping costs to a minimum on the day buy not drinking alcoholic drinks, and hopefully drink Tap water alternated with the odd fizzy drink.
Borrowed an outfit from a friend to wear so no expense there.

What do we do?
Put the £20 we can afford in a card or buy a cheap present?
The following poem was put in the card so I'd feel a bit silly buying a gift but equally as embarrassed only putting in £20.

'We know it's not traditional,
It's not the way it's done,
But instead of pots and pans,
We'd like a little fun!
So if you'd like to give a gift to help us celebrate,
Some help towards our honeymoon,
We would appreciate'

Does anyone have a suggestion of what we can do?

Where are they going on honeymoon? Could you buy them a round of cocktails st the hotel or something like that?

At my niece's wedding we were also skint.

I got an outfit at a charity shop which was gorgeous.

I absolutely couldn't afford a gift so didn't give them one. They knew I was really broke and I'm sure didn't spend their wedding night saying "Auntie MustressMhor didn't give us a present."

They're still speaking to me, eight years and two DC later.

It's your presence at their wedding which should be important to them, not how much you spend.

I don't think anyone put more than £20 in our wedding cards and I didn't think anyone was tight or anything. I think that's a perfectly reasonable amount

Passport holders or luggage tags
Seriously, I'd just put in the £20 or could you get away with buying a nice bottle of wine (something good they would be unlikely to buy for themselves)

I agree, put the £20 in, a good friend wouldn't care how much or little you gave.

20 is perfectly fine. But if you really want to give more you could give them a post dated cheque for next month (assuming your finances bounce back).
Or just 20. Which would be fine!

That poem is awful.

Just get a card. Cheeky beyond belief to expect gifts. They’re a nice extra.

Are they going on honeymoon straightaway? I would suggest posting them a card with the amount you would have given next month. Doubt they will even notice as there is so much to think about post-wedding, but you could always say you forgot it. Sounds like even a card will be a stretch this month with the expense of attending the wedding as well.

I agree £20 is perfectly fine and I like RJnomore1 s idea, you could put in the card ‘Enjoy two glasses of fizz on us’ or something?

If they got funny about it they’re not very nice people anyway.

Oh this has gone so much better than I expected thank you!

I honestly thought I'd of come back to a load of messages telling me she would have spent more on my meal and I was being really cheeky and to get a grip of my finances.

I can afford a card and £20, although I do like the suggestion of buying drinks as a gift!

I'm unsure of when or where they are honeymooning the poem didn't say

Just a bit frustrating as I plan the budget every month due to being on maternity leave and living just on my husbands wage and my maternity pay (statutory) it's just gone a bit topsy turvy this month.

On the plus side it's payday next week woohoo!

Just pop the 20 quid in the card, they should be grateful. It's not meant to cover the costs of the day or your meal, they've invited you as a guest. The gift is an extra. Enjoy the day