Some brides and grooms make buying wedding gifts extremely simple. They will sometimes hand out a detailed list of products and items they’d love to receive, or occasionally set up a petty cash fund, which anyone can donate to. Not every couple makes it quite so easy. If you’re a key family member or friend of the bride and groom, a wedding gift is somewhat similar to an anniversary or birthday present. But for guests who don’t know the couple nearly as well, buying a wedding gift can feel unnecessarily stressful. First comes the question of what to buy, quickly followed by how much you should be spending. While spending habits tend to differ depending on the guest you’re talking to, there still seems to be an unwritten rule, or two, for how much the happy couple might expect you to spend. In this article, we want to bring clarity to the topic and establish exactly how much to set aside for a wedding gift.
As an acquaintance or mutual friend
If you’re buying for a bride or groom you know through work or as a friend of a friend, choosing a gift is actually more straightforward. As a general rule, you’re looking at between £20 and £50. If you’re attending as a couple, that can be split between the two of you for an even lower cost. When guests buy for acquaintances or mutual friends, gifts tend to be more predictable as opposed to personal and considered. Some popular options include:
- Bottle of Champagne or Premium Prosecco
- Luxury Hamper
- Gift Vouchers
- Small Jewellery Item
- Beauty & Self Care Sets
- Experience Day Voucher
As a close friend
A close friend can be classed as someone you either speak to or see on a regular basis. It could also be someone you grew up with or perhaps a friend you grew close to at work or university. Buying a wedding gift for a close friend means widening your budget slightly. A good amount to spend on a close friend would be between £50 and £100. Here are gift ideas that close friends will love:
- Designer Homeware Pieces
- Luxury Spa Gift Box
- High-end Coffee Machine
- Weekend Getaway Voucher
- Wine Tasting or Vineyard Tour
As a family member, bridesmaid, or Groomsman
As an immediate family member, bridesmaid or groomsman to the bride or groom, your wedding gifts matter more than those of any other guest attending. Personalised gifts are guaranteed to bring a smile to their faces and are considerably more thoughtful than other options, like alcohol and household gifts. The amount you should be paying on a wedding gift if you’re an immediate family member, bridesmaid, or groomsman largely depends on the type of person you’re buying for. If you know them well enough, unique experiences for their honeymoon is a great idea as it will save them money and planning whilst they’re away. Another clever way to make the most of every penny you spend, is to make an agreement with other family members, bridesmaids or groomsmen to all contribute to a more expensive gift that you know they’ll love. In most cases, an acceptable amount of money to spend if you’re a trusted friend or relative would be between £150 and £300.
While it’s helpful to understand what’s typically expected when choosing a wedding gift, there are no real rules you need to follow. It’s often more important to find a gift that’s memorable and special to the couple, beyond its price tag. For most people, their wedding day is a day that they won’t ever forget, which is why gifts like a photo book filled with candid photos from the day is a great gift idea which they can cherish forever.
