How Much Money Should You Give As a Wedding Gift? Try Our Calculator!

Cash gifts for weddings are becoming more popular, as couples move away from asking for traditional homeware items. When a couple already live together, it might make more sense to save up for a big purchase like a home deposit, future children, a new car or even a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon, so you might wonder how much cash to give as a wedding gift.

It can be tough to know exactly how much money to give. Choosing a fancy candle they put on their wedding gift list is one thing, but handing someone cash – where they'll know exactly how much you gave – can feel like a minefield.

Some people have their own rules on how much money to give, such as to cover the cost of the meal or to give equal to what they gave you, but others factor in how much they've paid in hotels and travel and give much less. So what exactly should you give?

If you've been asked to bring a cash gift to the wedding or to contribute to a honeymoon fund online, we've broken down what's expected of you below. There's ideas for what to do if you feel uncomfortable about giving money and some hints for the best ways for couples to go about asking for cash gifts.

• How Much Money to Give as a Wedding Gift?
• Should You Feel Offended That The Couple Asked for Money? 
• Etiquette for Giving Cash as a Wedding Gift in Other Cultures
• What to Consider When Deciding to Give Cash as a Wedding Gift
• Alternatives to Giving Money as a Wedding Present
• What Are the Best Ways Engaged Couples Can Ask For Money? 

You can also try our wedding gift calculator, which will tell you how much money to give as a wedding gift, depending on how well you know the couple, the style of their wedding and much more!

How Much Money to Give As a Wedding Gift?

The rules for how much you should spend on a wedding gift don't change just because you're giving money instead of a set of kitchen knives. It's always about what feels comfortable to you and how you close you are with the couple. 

We asked our couples "how much money should you give as a wedding gift?". Over half of the couples we asked said between £50-£100, whilst almost a thousand couples said between £20-£50.

To help shed some more light on this difficult question, we decided to ask an expert.

"The amount should always be in proportion to your relationship with the couple, but you need to take your own finances into consideration as well," explains Emily Clarke, a City & Guilds certified etiquette trainer. "While some believe that the amount you give should be a reflection of your attendance and the overall cost of the wedding, it's not your responsibility to foot the bill of the party and you should only give what you feel comfortable with. 

"Close friends and relatives may give anything from £100, but anything over £75 is considered generous," she adds. 

You may feel pressured to give more than you can afford because the couple will see exactly what you spent, but this is not the point of a wedding gift. Only give what feels right. Here's a rough guide to what's considered a typical amount to give:

• You're a Single Wedding Guest: £50
• You're a Couple: £100
• You're Immediate Family: £100+
• You're in the Wedding Party: £100+
• You're an Evening Guest Only: £25 - £50
• You're a Colleague: £25 - £50

Wedding Gift Spend Calculator

We'd highly recommend you buy a paper money wallet to put a wedding cash gift into as it makes it look really special. You can get these for about £1 from a card shop, but they really make a difference to how your gift looks.

Should You Feel Offended That the Couple Asked for Money?

It's been traditional for couples to create a wedding gift list or to leave it up to the guests to bring a wedding gift of their choice, and this was typically an item for the couple's new home. This dates back to when a couple wouldn't live together before their wedding, which is less likely the case now. Many modern couples live together before they get engaged and already have all the towels and toasters they need, so the traditional gift lists don't suit them.

Asking for money as a wedding gift has become a popular trend, but it's understandable that it can split opinion among older relatives who may see it as cheeky or bad etiquette. However, it's become much more accepted and many couples feel confident asking for money for their wedding or putting down a monetary gift option on a traditional gift list.

They will have spent a lot of savings on their wedding day and the money will be saved towards the next step of their future together. If you always viewed giving a homeware gift as setting the couple up for their new life, money gifts are the modern way to do the same. 

Is It Okay to Give Cash as a Wedding Gift? 

"It's considered a neutral option, as the couple can put it towards anything they like," confirms Emily. 

Many couples themselves feel a little awkward asking for money and will instead ask for donations towards something like their honeymoon. This is often done through a honeymoon gift list where you can go online and transfer the amount of money you wish to pay and even allocate it towards a specific excursion or treat, like a couple's massage on the beach. 

Etiquette for Giving Cash as a Wedding Gift in Other Cultures

Expectations of how much cash to give for a wedding vary vastly between different cultures and you're best to ask someone in the know, e.g. a friend in the wedding party or a relative of the engaged couple.

• For example, at Japanese weddings, money is a very common gift. A friend of the couple may give £200 in Yen, while relatives may give three times this amount. The money is put in an envelope called Goshugi-bukuro and your name and the amount is written on the front.
• In China, money is almost always given to the couple in red envelopes as a gift. Typically guests work out the amount to give based on how much the wedding meal would have cost, so the fancier the meal and venue, the more money is given. 
• At Nigerian weddings, it's tradition for there to be a 'money dance' where the couple are sprayed with money as they boogie on down. In addition, guests will fill envelopes with money or a cheque and give it to the couple. The amount you are expected to give really depends on your relationship to the couple, so we'd advise you to ask ahead of time and prepare your gift plus money to spray.
• Indian weddings will typically have no wedding registry and a 'no boxed gifts' rule – cash or a cheque in an envelope is given instead. In Indian culture, they avoid gift amounts ending in 0 and typically would give £51, for example, as it starts the couple off on accumulating their next £50. 
• At Italian weddings, the bride often carries a special bag at the reception called la borsa and will collect envelopes of money from guests to cover wedding expenses. The amount again will depend on the couple and the wedding. 

One important thing to note is that your gift shouldn't be affected by whether it's a destination wedding. Even if you are paying for flights and accommodation, a gift is typically expected, although most couples will expect something smaller due to your expenses getting to the wedding.

What to Consider When Deciding to Give Cash as a Wedding Gift

Giving cash as a wedding gift has become increasingly common, but before you slip an envelope into the postbox or a gift box at the reception, here are a few things to consider:

1. Is It the Couple’s Preference?
Some couples prefer cash gifts to help fund their honeymoon, start a home renovation, or even cover some wedding costs. If they’ve set up a honeymoon fund or included a note about cash gifts being welcome, you’re already in the clear.

2. Your Relationship with the Couple
Cash gifts can feel impersonal, so consider how close you are to the couple. If you’re a family member or a lifelong friend, adding a heartfelt note alongside your contribution can make it feel more meaningful.

3. The Cultural Context
In some cultures, giving cash is the norm, while in others, it may be seen as less traditional. Think about what’s appropriate for the couple’s background and wedding style.

4. How Much Should You Give?
There’s no hard and fast rule, but it’s worth considering what you’d typically spend on a gift. Some people aim to cover the cost of their plate at the reception, while others simply give what feels comfortable for their budget.

5. How to Present It
Rather than handing over plain cash, take an extra step to present it beautifully. Pop it in a thoughtful card, tuck it into a wedding-themed envelope, or include a personalised message explaining how you hope they’ll use it (e.g., "For a romantic dinner on your honeymoon" or "A little something towards your dream home").

6. Is There a Gift List?
If the couple has created a registry or gift list, it’s always polite to check it first. They may have selected items they need or prefer over cash, which could guide your decision.

7. Consider an Alternative
If you’re not entirely comfortable giving cash, why not consider gifting vouchers instead? A travel gift card for their honeymoon or a department store voucher gives them flexibility while still feeling a little more tangible.

8. Don’t Feel Pressured
At the end of the day, a wedding gift is a token of your love and support for the couple - not a financial transaction. Whether it’s a cash gift or something more traditional, what truly matters is the thought and care you put into it.

Depending on the type of wedding, there are also a few other ways decide how much to give as a cash gift for a wedding. 

How Much Money to Give for a Destination Wedding? 

When it comes to destination weddings, deciding how much money to give as a gift can feel tricky. The key is to consider your overall expenses and your relationship with the couple.

If you’re attending the wedding, you’ve likely already spent a significant amount on travel, accommodation, and other costs. In this case, it’s perfectly acceptable to give a smaller monetary gift or even a thoughtful non-monetary one. The couple will undoubtedly appreciate the effort and expense you’ve gone to just to be there. As a guideline, you might give between £50-£100, but there’s no need to stretch beyond your means.

If you’re unable to attend, it’s still a lovely gesture to send a gift. In this case, you might aim for a similar amount to what you’d typically give for a traditional wedding, depending on how close you are to the couple.

Ultimately, the amount you give should feel right for your budget and reflect your connection to the couple. Remember, destination weddings are often smaller and more intimate, so the focus is more on celebrating together than on extravagant gifts. Whatever you give, a heartfelt note will always make it extra special.

Should You Give Less Money You're Attending With Other Guests? 

When attending a wedding with others who are also contributing a gift, such as family members, it’s natural to wonder if you should adjust how much you give. The answer depends on a few factors, but the key is to approach it with thoughtfulness and balance.

If you're part of a group gift - such as a family pooling funds for a larger present - it’s perfectly reasonable to contribute less than you might give individually. This approach can often result in a more impactful gift, like a higher-value item from the couple’s registry or a generous cash contribution towards their honeymoon.

However, if you’re giving your own gift alongside others, your amount doesn’t need to change based on what they’re giving. Everyone’s financial situation is different, and what’s meaningful is the gesture, not the amount.

The focus should always be on your personal budget and relationship with the couple. Whether it’s a group gift or an individual one, make sure to include a heartfelt note to show your love and support. At the end of the day, it’s not about how much you give but the sentiment behind it.

Alternatives to Giving Money as a Wedding Present

There is absolutely no obligation to give cash as a wedding gift if you don't want to; gifts should be given in the spirit of generosity and not as a duty. That said, there's often a reason the couple have asked for money, so it does no harm in politely asking the couple why. 

If you're uneasy about giving money as a gift, communicate this with the couple and see if there's an alternative way you can contribute to what they're putting the money towards.

• If they haven't already explained it on their wedding website, it could be they're saving up for a new addition to the family or for a new kitchen. Once you understand, you could offer to buy them gift vouchers for a large department store that will help their overall aim.
• If it's saving for a honeymoon, you could get them a prepaid travel money card or currency in notes for the country they're going to.
• Lots of gift lists give you the opportunity to buy things such as a honeymoon experience – this will aid them in affording their dream honeymoon, but allow you to give something more tangible.

There are lots of alternatives to giving physical cash money as a wedding gift and all of them will be greatly appreciated by the couple. Here are some of our favourites: 

• A Couples’ Cooking Class or Experience Day
  Help the newlyweds kick off their marriage with a fun activity they can enjoy together, like a cooking or cocktail-making class, pottery workshop, or wine-tasting experience. It’s a gift that creates memories - and skills - they’ll cherish.
• Personalised Artwork for Their Home
  A custom illustration of their wedding venue, a map of a special location, or even a quirky family portrait (pets included!) can make for a thoughtful and sentimental keepsake.
• High-Quality Luggage or Travel Accessories
  For couples who love to travel, stylish and durable luggage, personalised passport holders, or even a travel journal are practical yet exciting gifts that can follow them on their honeymoon and beyond.
• A Monthly Subscription Box
  Think gourmet cheese, wine, coffee, books, or even plants! A subscription box tailored to their tastes will bring joy month after month.
• A Donation to a Cause Close to Their Hearts
  If the couple is socially conscious, make a donation in their name to a charity they care about. It’s a meaningful way to honour their union and support their values.
• An Outdoor Adventure Kit
  If they’re the outdoorsy type, a picnic basket with all the essentials, a high-quality tent, or matching hiking gear is perfect for future adventures.
• A Custom Recipe Book
  Gather recipes from their family and friends, or compile dishes that represent their favourite cuisines and memories together. Add personal notes for an extra special touch.
• A Framed Star Map
  Capture the stars on the night of their wedding (or another meaningful date) with a beautifully framed star map. It’s both romantic and unique.
• A Membership or Season Pass
  Gift them a membership to a local museum, botanical garden, or zoo, or consider season passes to their favourite theatre or sports team.
• Luxurious Bedding or Towels
  Treat them to something indulgent, like high-thread-count sheets, a cosy duvet, or plush towels. Bonus points for monogramming them!
• A DIY Memory Box or Scrapbook Kit
  Encourage them to preserve their wedding memories and honeymoon highlights by gifting a chic memory box or scrapbook filled with supplies.
• A Unique Board Game or Puzzle
  For cosy nights in, a high-quality board game, a personalised puzzle, or even a game that reflects their relationship is a thoughtful and fun gift.
• A Food or Drink Experience at Home
  Consider a cheese and charcuterie delivery, a home-brewing kit, or a bottle of artisanal gin paired with tonics and glasses to celebrate in style.
• A Custom Welcome Mat or Doormat
  Help them make their house a home with a doormat that features their last name or a cute, personalised design.
• A Handwritten Letter or Keepsake Box
  Finally, if you’re looking for something ultra-personal, write a heartfelt letter or gift them a keepsake box to store their most treasured wedding mementos.

What Are the Best Ways Engaged Couples Can Ask for Money?

If you're approaching this from the other side and are an engaged couple wondering how to ask for money as a wedding gift or what you can expect to be given, here's some ideas of what you can do.

• Ask on your invitations for guests to bring cash gifts on the day and state if there will be a secure money box or gift table to leave them. We'd recommend explaining what you want to save the money towards if you have an idea in mind. You may feel awkward about asking outright so one of these money poems is a cute way to do it.
• Create a wedding gift list that has both gift options and a money donation option. Guests then have the choice between buying a tangible gift for you and/or give you a financial gift.
• If you want money towards your honeymoon, set up a honeymoon gift list where funds can go towards the costs of flights and hotels, or towards specific trips and activities. A guest might love to know they're paying for a bungee jump in New Zealand and see the photos afterwards. 
• If you have a specific purchase in mind, such as saving up for a house, you can set up a fun website where guests can donate their cash to that specific thing. For example, a website called 'Buy Us A Brick' where guests can buy you figurative bricks to build your first home.

Still considering buying a gift? Browse our edit of the best wedding gifts for couples here.