What's a reasonable amount of money to give someone as a wedding present?

[MissTFied]

I have three weddings to go to this year, one couple have asked for money, another couple have asked for gift vouchers (the third have a wedding list).

How much is enough?

depends on how well you know them and what you feel like affording

I don't know, suppose it depends how well you know them. I would guess about 50 quid.

That's a very difficult question to answer. Surely, it depends on everybody involved.

In my case, as we're on a modest income, I generally spend about £20 on wedding presents for friends, and perhaps up to £50 for very close friends and family.

I'm sure there are others out there who would consider that really stingy.

Does that help at all?

yes, is really such a personal thing, dependent on your own financial situation and how close the friends are

We collected money for our wedding present. We'd been living together for so long we couldn't do a wedding list of the usual kettle, towels etc. So we asked for contributions to a fund to go out and choose something original by a local artist. People gave anything from £10 to much more. We were grateful either way.

£50 or £75 rising to £100 if they are particularly close friends

I think £50 is perfectly generous though. £20 looks a bit light unless you are strapped for cash

I don't think you can get a simple answer. I think it's fair to take into account

• what you can afford (obviously)
• what you might spend on attending the wedding
• the fact you've got three this summer
• what they need (are they young and penniless and setting up a new home or an established couple with everything who're after something fancy)
• whether you mind being asked for money (depends on the circs. in some cases it might be a bit cheeky)

Well, my sister is one of the couples and we are all going abroad to see her get married, so there goes quite a bit of money!

The woman in the other couple is a lovely work colleague.

ooh forget to say also take into account if you're giving it as a couple or if you're single

We asked for money or vouchers for our wedding 2.5yrs ago. The average was £20.

yes but sister needs a nice wedding present because she is your sister
i'd spend more on her than woman at work even if you are flying abroad for her wedding

woman at work could probably do £30 unless she is partic close friend

but remember it costs them quite a lot to have you both at their wedding too

more for sis (even if you are going abroad).

What about just an invitation to the evening reception then, what would be acceptable for that?

We will be paying as a couple. I was thinking along the lines of purpleturtle - maybe £30 or so? We are not loaded. All couples are young yet have their own homes.

I think my sister will be the trickiest one to figure out...

£30 is fine. with yuor sister could you do something else too? an album of old photos of her as a kid, of family holidays etc(and maybe her dh too if you could get his family involved)? OR a well choosen book - inexpensive but can be a very treasured gift. OR a special plant - again not expensive but something they can keep

Thanks everyone for your replies - and thanks hatwoman for the other suggestions.

It's good to have different perspectives to think about.

Something else I do for special friends is to cross-stitch a sampler and frame it. That way, I have a hobby-project to keep me occupied for a while, and something to do with the end result.