Attending a wedding can be a blessing and a curse for some. While it is wonderful to get together with people you care about to celebrate the happy couple, bringing a gift to the event can often prove complicated. Since you don’t want to show up empty handed, it is wise to put a bit of thought into the act in advance. Consider these tips and get a better feel for what you should spend on a wedding gift.

Start With the Registry

Here’s the thing — you don’t need to worry much about the gift or the cost if you opt to use the registry. In most cases, a couple is aware of the fact that their guests cannot all afford the same types of gifts. To make life easy on friends and family, items on the registry will be a multitude of different prices, ranging from the inexpensive to the lavish. Plus, you can buy a few items off the registry if you feel like you want to spend a particular amount on their wedding gift.

Unfortunately, not all couples use registries these days. If this isn’t an option for you, there are other ways to calculate how much you should be spending on the gift.

The Average Cost of a Gift

In the past, it was customary for people to give a gift that reflected how much it cost to feed each guest. If the caterer or venue charged $100 per plate, the gift should be somewhere in that range. Of course, this isn’t the case anymore. Statistics from 2019 state the average gift from a wedding guest costs about $120. This is a very safe number to work with and gives you a lot of options to consider.

Factors That Will Impact Your Decision

While knowing the average cost of a wedding gift can help give you a bit of a foundation to work from, there are other factors that will impact your decision. The specific relationship you have to the couple will sway how much you spend. Direct relatives like parents, siblings, and grandparents usually spend a bit more. Conversely, coworkers and people invited due to cancellations don’t need to spend very much. This doesn’t mean you need to spend more if you’re close with the couple, just that it tends to be the trend.

When To Get the Gift

After determining how much to spend, you need to make sure you go out and purchase the gift. Whether you’re bringing a present of your own creation or something selected from the registry, waiting until the last minute is an easy way to lose control of the situation. If you’re trying to buy a gift on the way to the wedding, you’ve waited too long. Experts suggest getting the present at least three weeks prior to the date of the event. This helps reduce the odds of an unforeseen event standing in the way.

Cash Is Always the Best

Finally, never forget the power of cash. If you’re stuck on what item to get for the couple, forget the whole thing and throw some money in an envelope. The average of $120-per-person also works when it comes to cash gifts. Most couples actually prefer cash, as they can use it for whatever they would like and don’t need to concern themselves over making returns or exchanges. 

It can easily cost an arm and a leg to throw a wedding, but being a guest only comes with a few minor expenses. Selecting the right gift comes down to considering your relationship to the couple and whether they have a registry. Put a little bit of thought into the present and order early, and you’ll feel confident that you’ve made the right choice.