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
-
Stock Market Today: Stocks Rally Despite Rising Geopolitical TensionThe main indexes were mixed on Tuesday but closed well off their lows after an early flight to safety.
-
What's at Stake for Alphabet as DOJ Eyes Google's ChromeAlphabet is higher Tuesday even as antitrust officials at the DOJ support forcing Google to sell its popular web browser. Here's what you need to know.
-
Six Ways to Optimize Your Charitable Giving Before Year-EndAs 2024 winds down, right now is the time to look at how you plan to handle your charitable giving. The sooner you start, the more tax-efficient you can be.
-
Structured Settlement Annuity vs Lump-Sum Payout: Which Is Better?As the use of structured settlement annuities grows, it can be tough to decide whether to take the lump sum to invest or opt instead for guaranteed payments.
-
What to Do as Soon as Your Divorce Is FinalDon't delay — getting these tasks accomplished as soon as possible can help you avoid costly consequences.
-
How to Fight Inflation's Hidden Threat to Your SavingsIf higher prices are putting your savings goals on hold, you're in danger of financial erosion. Fortunately, several strategies can help stop the spread.
-
Seven Luxury Places to See the Northern Lights This WinterThe northern lights will be at their most captivating this winter. Fancy making them even more magical? From hotels on ice to glass cabins and mountain yurts, here are seven places to see the northern lights with luxury winter stays.
-
Does a Farm Need a Different Homeowners Insurance Policy?Homeowners insurance is all about providing the right tool for the right exposure, and life on the farm comes with different risks than life in the city.
-
How One Caregiver Is Navigating a Loved One's DementiaShe's spent many hours doing research and speaking with other caregivers to find her way to resources designed to help caregivers.
-
October CPI Report Hits the Mark: What the Experts Are Saying About InflationCPI While the current pace of rising prices appears to have leveled off, the expected path of rate cuts has become less certain.
