Spring is in the air-which means wedding season will be in full swing soon enough. If you're in your 20′s or 30′s, your spring and summer months may seem like a montage from Wedding Crashers -- except you're invited, of course!
While we love our friends and family and want to give them wedding gifts that will show our support and love, the costs of attending all these weddings can really add up. While one rule of thumb is to think about how much the couple as paid for you to be there, there are a few other factors to consider when searching for the perfect wedding gift that works with your budget!
What's your budget like? - The general consensus is that you should expect to spend at least $50 on a wedding gift. If you're a student or working with a tight budget, $50 is a perfectly acceptable amount to spend, regardless of how well you know the couple.
What's your relationship to the couple? - While the average gift ranges from $50 to $100 for those under 30, expect to spend $100 or more if you're close friends with the couple and are more established financially. For your nearest and dearest friends and relatives, gift costs can range from over a $100 to $200 or more. Of course this all depends on where you are financially and how much you're comfortable spending.
Are you bringing a guest? - Another factor to consider is whether or not you're bringing a guest. If you are bringing someone to the wedding, add a little extra as a courtesy.
Is it a destination wedding? - If you're flying across the country or halfway across the world to attend your friends' wedding, they'll understand if you spend a bit less on the gift. If you're willing to travel that far for this wedding, chances are they're pretty important to you, and you should still spend at least $50 to $100 on a gift.
Are you part of the bridal party? - Let's say you're a bridesmaid, and you're already spending on the bridal shower and bachelorette party in addition to the bridesmaid dress, beauty and hair prep. It can be quite a financial commitment! Instead of stressing out about all these expenses, make sure you communicate early on with the bride-to-be and the rest of the bridal party what your budget is.
What if you're not attending the wedding? - Even if you can't make it to the wedding because of your budget or other factors, it's still customary to send a gift. How much do you spend? This again depends on your relationship to the couple as well as your budget.
We hope these guidelines help you find the perfect gift and SaveUp at the same time! Stay tuned for more posts with tips to save during wedding season, whether you're planning or attending!
This post was written by Euna Kim from the SaveUp team.