There’s no time like wedding season — with its delicate union of family, friendships and finances — to brush up on your money etiquette.
For wedding guests, choosing an appropriate gift can be especially fraught, because it can feel a bit like putting a price tag on your relationship with the couple. There are so many questions, from how much to spend, to if you should (ever) get something that's not on the registry, to the timing of gifts if you don't want to bring a box to the wedding itself.
Follow these rules of thumb to ease the gift-giving stress and congratulate the newlyweds without emptying your bank account.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
How much should I spend on a wedding gift?
There is no set price range, said Anna Post, coauthor of Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette (sixth edition). The cost of a solitary dish towel or single fork is too little. Anything outside of your budget is too much. The gift amount should be dictated by what you can afford and your relationship with the couple. If you’re especially close to the bride and groom, consider budgeting a bit more than you normally would.
Lock down a present in your price range by viewing the wedding registry early, while there are plenty of options. Couples usually select items in a wide range of prices. You can also write a check or purchase a gift certificate at a store where the couple registered. Or you could go in on a present with a few friends or family members. You’ll be able to afford a bigger item without overspending.
Does a fancier wedding require a pricier gift?
Not at all. One myth is that your gift should equal the price of your dinner. Not only is it impossible to know how much the food on your plate cost, but this strategy misses the intention behind a wedding gift. The point isn’t to help the couple recoup the cost of your filet mignon but to congratulate them on their wedding and wish them well as they start a new life together.
Do I need to send a gift if I can’t attend the wedding?
Yes. “There is an expectation that if you’re close enough to the couple to come to the wedding, you’re close enough to send a gift,” said Post. One exception is if the invitation comes out of left field — say, from a friend you haven’t seen in decades. In that case, you should decline the invitation politely and leave it at that.
If you can’t attend the bridal shower, you aren’t expected to buy a gift for it.
I have a year to send a wedding gift, right?
Wrong. Three months is your limit. That said, if it dawns on you a year later that you never mailed the check, it’s fine to send it along. You might want to include a note of apology, too.
Related Content
-
Five Medicare Changes Coming in 2026Learn about the benefits that become permanent features of Medicare in 2026 and how they have been changed or updated since their inception.
-
Discover Which Five States Have AAA Offices Offering Real ID Services. Learn What You Need To Do To Take Advantage of Them.A trip to the DMV can be a painful experience. Skip the line and visit your AAA office to get your REAL ID (select states only).
-
Five States Where AAA Can Renew Your Driver's License — No DMV Visit Needed
A trip to the DMV can be a painful experience. Skip the line and visit your AAA office to get your REAL ID (select states only).
-
Sugar Rush: Kentucky Boy Orders $4,000 in Lollipops from Mom's PhoneA Kentucky mom was surprised to find her son ordered 70,000 lollipops from Amazon. Here's how to ensure a similar oopsie doesn't happen to you.
-
Why You Should Pay Your Traffic Tickets Before They Become a Six-Figure HeadacheSkip a ticket, pay a fortune: How ignoring traffic fines can wreck your wallet, credit and coverage.
-
Four Tips for Mastering a Financial Security MindsetThis financial professional's mom helped him learn that financial security is more than making money — it's about cultivating a mindset that will help you stick to an investment plan even when times get tough.
-
How to Cancel a CheckIf you need to cancel a check you've written, here's how you do it.
-
Four Ways to Use Your Tax Return as a Financial Planning ToolRather than filing away your paperwork and forgetting about it, this CPA recommends using it as a source of insight to optimize your long-term financial strategy.
-
How to Get Your Finances Back on Track After a DivorceTaking charge of your money after a divorce will feel daunting, especially when you're faced with a lower income. The key is tackling your to-do list in stages.
-
Six Ways to Use AI to Improve Your Financial LifeWhile they can't replace human advisers, AI-based tools can take some of the guesswork out of financial tasks — from budgeting to filing taxes and investing.
