$20-$40 – I’m almost broke.

i recently spent £30 on a wedding gift for friends.

I think that your spoiled friend should reevaluate her priorities and realize that a gift, by definition, is something that the giver gives because they WANT to, not because it’s required. I think that anyone receiving a gift, be it an object of some sort or simply the presence of their loved ones at their blessed event, should be appreciative, regardless of the cost.

It’s not the price…..it’s the thought. Your friend sounds like she got married just to collect the gifts……….she sounds selfish and immature. marriage is not wabout the dress, the gifts, the size of the diamonds, etc…… it’s about wanting to be with someone forever……….how much do you want to bet that marriage will end in divorce?

I THINK ABOUT $50.00 IS A GOOD AMOUNT. I DON’T THINK THE BRIDE AND GROOM WILL CALCULATING EACH GIFT AND WRITING THAT THEY THOUGHT YOUR GIFT SUCKS BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH MONEY YOU SPENT……..

whatever you can afford don’t make yourself skint there’s no point

First of all, it is inappropriate for the guests to know how much the dinner costs.

Second of all, any guest can spend as little or as much as they like on a gift. That is why it is called a gift, and not a mandatory donation.

Depends on your relationship to them. If they think a wedding is supposed to be a money making event,,can’t fathom what they think marriage will be!! =

One way to know approximately how much they are paying for a plate is:
1) where is the reception. You can call the hall / hotel and ask
2) If you don’t want to call, base your opinion on how many services are there – meaning how many meals are served during dinner. If it’s a seven course meal, then you should know that it’s not under $100.00.

And yes, wheather you buy a gift or you give money, it should always cover the cost of your dinner. We didn’t make the rules, but that’s what it is. So if you are a familly of 5, most likely, it will cost you $500.00, unless the other ones are small kids, then you don’t have to count them, depending how much their plate is.

Unfortunately, they are not the only ones who think that a wedding is a money making event. Pretty much everyone who throws a wedding is expecting to get some money back……

Weddings cost a lot, basically, it’s such a rip off, but people are willing to spend…. When I got married, it was a pretty big wedding and 99% of our guests did give monetary gifts…..

I heard the same…about the same as dinner costs per person times the amount of people attending….

Your friend has broken etiquette by “looking a gift horse in the mouth.” She should not insist on receiving gifts at all, and should not rate them by dollar value. A gift’s real value is based on the love with which it was given.
However, it is reasonable to expect that most guests will send the bridal couple a gift, and that family will give more generous gifts. But everyone has different limitations, so a $20 gift from a broke college kid is just as generous as a $200 gift from financially secure grandparents. If you are contributing as a couple or family you should consider spending more, since the gift is from all of you.

The “dinner-cost” is a good rule of thumb, but it may be difficult for guests to guess, in advance, what the dinner may cost, and they should not be expected to track down this estimate.

$30 from a family member for a moderately fancy wedding does sound a bit cheap; but if he is young, strapped for cash, or generally clueless about weddings, it would be understandable. Personally I usually spend about $50, even when I was laid off; up to $100 dollars if I am friends with both of them; and I put a lot of thought into choosing the right gift.

You can’t expect to be compensated for the cost of food through gifts. You should’ve considered a simplier, more economical type of wedding party.

Weddings range in costs just like new cars. There are expenses that are just unnecessary extravegances for expressing your life commitment to your partner. And too many people get invited who aren’t even that close to the couple, like some third cousin you haven’t talked to in 23 years.

Besides, more often than not, big weddings are boring. They’re all cookie-cutter and predictable. People just go because it customary, ceremonial, and they feel obligated.

I believe weddings should be smaller, more intimate events with people who you care about the most; not some big annoucement to the world. If you had a smaller reception at your parents’ house, or a moderately priced restaurant, etc., you wouldn’t have the stressing over “25 bucks per person”.

Are they out to make a profit? Or do they invite guests to celebrate their happy day with them? Is their main motive in inviting guests is to get big gifts? They are the cheapos.