Getting invited to a wedding and being a wedding guest is a wonderful experience, but it comes at a steep cost, oftentimes more than expected.
It all adds up. The outfit, the travel, the hotel and then on top of that of course you are going to want to help the newly weds out with a wedding gift or a card. But how much are you really expected to give?
Well a few factors can determine how much money you should give at a wedding. Cultural norms and customs definitely play a role in how much money is expected. But today, we will be focusing on what to give at your standard Irish wedding.
Depending on how close you are with the couple will determine how much money you feel is appropriate to give to them. For example you may feel the need to give less to a co-worker vs a close sibling.
Other factors, such as being a student, would mean that there is less pressure for you to give a lot of money.
A good rule of thumb to base your amount off of is covering the cost of the meal on the day of the wedding. Then maybe take into consideration how expensive that venue and location of the wedding is.
As a single person the standard in Ireland would probably be €200 for the couple. If you are going as a couple, the standard would be typically €300.
But keep in mind that everybody’s financial situation is different and the day is not about money. Give what you feel is appropriate and within your budget.
Rather than giving money, you could opt for a more sentimental gift that costs less but is super personal and thoughtful such as a piece of artwork for the couple’s home.
Or if it is someone like a coworker, you and your other colleagues could all chip in for a group gift, cutting expenses drastically.
Before you RSVP a wedding consider your budget and all the expenses that will come along with attending the wedding to reduce future stress.