How much to give as a wedding cash gift

Guidelines by how close you are

• Coworkers and acquaintances: $50 to $75
• Friends: $75 to $150
• Close friends: $150 to $200
• Family and the wedding party: often $200 and more

Couples usually give together and often give a bit more than a single guest. These are guidelines, not rules, and they vary a lot by region and by circle of friends.

The “cover your plate” rule

You’ll often hear that a gift should roughly cover what the couple spends per guest. It’s a fine orientation, but not an obligation: if money is tight, give what you can. Nobody invites guests to pay for the party.

When the couple wishes for something specific

If the couple has a wishlist with a purpose, like a honeymoon fund or a piece of furniture, that’s the easiest answer: you’re contributing to something they really want. A wish like that can be given more than once, so many contributions add up.

How a couple can ask for cash without sounding rude is in the guide Cash gifts on your wishlist.

Giving it in style

• In a card with a few personal lines.
• Folded: as a flower, a heart or a boat with bills for sails.
• Matching the purpose: a honeymoon contribution tucked into a small map, one for the dining table rolled in a napkin.