- Linda2014M
- 7 years ago
The bride and groom are not registered except on a honeymoon website for funds. They do not want presents.
How much is expected to be given?
Would it be unacceptable to give a gift instead of paying towards the honeymoon?
The bride and groom are not registered except on a honeymoon website for funds. They do not want presents.
How much is expected to be given?
Would it be unacceptable to give a gift instead of paying towards the honeymoon?
I would say standard is $100/pp but generally gracious people will gladly accept anything you are comfortable and able to offer 😉
I’m sorry that your friend/relative put you in this awkward situation.
ETA: If you do decide to write a check and anyone gives you any grief because the amount isn’t “appropriate,” know that those people are vulgar, classless, and graceless beyond measure and that their opprobrium should be ignored.
I’m not a fan of honeymoon funds, so I would just give them a check for whatever amount I would normally give.
It feels a bit uncomfortable to have my gift measured by its monetary worth. I know with a gift registry the couple is still aware of the price, but I have choices in picking something that I think they would like. This just feels like I being judged on how much I give.
Not to mention that it’s an out of town wedding and I driving 6 hours and hotel costs are $600 for two nights.
In one social circle $100 may be standard, but in others a $50 gift may be seen as generous, or a $500 gift the norm.
If you prefer you may certainly give a physical gift instead of paying for the honeymoon.
I still use gifts that I didn’t ask for and didn’t see the need for at the time–thankfully those who knew me well saw what I couldn’t see and I remember those people fondly whenever I use the gift–while the checks I’ve received were deposited and forgotten long ago (fortunately some of these checks were accompanied by thoughtful cards that I have saved, some for over 20 years, and treat as valuable treasure). Furthermore, I hate it when someone that I’m not all that close to gifts me what I consider an inappropriately large amount of money (I can’t help but think that such a person is trying to be showy) and imposes profound intimacy and obligation on a bond that I didn’t think had either.
Linda2014M: Any person who would “judge” you by the amount you give is a person who’s opinion you really shouldn’t care about. If they will judge you for how much cash you give, they will judge you for giving them a physical gift when they did not wish for any. The best rule of thumb for giving cash instead of a physical gift is to just place the amount of cash you would have spent on a physical gift in a envelope with a card. So if you would typically spend $20, put $20 in the envelope. If you would spend $150, put that in the envelope. If you wouldn’t spend anything because you are spending a lot to attend the wedding, give a nice card.
Its really up to you.. My family has always given $350 pp to people we aren’t close to.. If they are family members or close friends anywhere around $1000 pp is the norm. I’m also middle eastern and people generally judge you based on these types of things.. Dont give enough and you’ll be considered stingy. Annoying, but I can’t change the culture lol.
If you want to give money, give the same amount you would have spent on a registry item. It doesn’t matter if that’s “only” 30$ because the budget went to a hotel room.
But it sounds like you’re more comfortable giving a physical gift. Totally ok. If you’re worried the bride and groom won’t like it, you can always include a gift receipt so they can return it.
my suggestion would be to give them cash, since that’s what they’ve asked for (as tacky as that can be sometimes!)
if you have a budget for the gift that you were going to buy, then I’d say just give the equal amount to them in cash. it might not be your first choice, but at least you’re contributing to something you know they really want?
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