One of the major costs involved in attending a wedding is the purchase of a wedding gift. Whether you are attending the bridal shower, wedding or both, how much you spend largely depends on your relationship to the couple and your own financial considerations.

Minimum

According to a survey by The Knot and Kohl's of 15,000 brides and newlyweds, the minimum you should spend on a wedding gift is $50. However, some people consider that if you are a couple, you should double that price.

Relationships

The same survey by The Knot and Kohl's suggests that how much you spend should vary by your relationship to the bride and groom. For a coworker or distant relative, the average spent is $50 to $75 while a relative or friend averages $75 to $100. At the top are close friends and relatives, with the average spent ranging from $100 to $150.

Multiple Events

According to The Knot, your gift budget should be divided according to how many wedding-related events you attend. If you are invited to the engagement party, wedding shower and wedding, The Knot suggests spending 20 percent each on the first two events and 60 percent on the wedding.

What to Give

The survey by The Knot and Kohl's says that 85 percent of brides prefer guests to select a gift from the wedding registry. Money is also acceptable whether or not the couple registered for gifts.

Time Frame

The Emily Post Institute says a wedding gift should be given to the bride before the wedding or to the couple no more than three months after the wedding.

Source:

The Knot

Kohl's

The Emily Post Institute

Resource:

The Knot: How Much to Spend on a Wedding Gift