Usually, it costs the bride and groom $75-125 a head for the reception. So, you're really supposed to give the equivalent. If it's you and a guest, anywhere from $150-200 would probably be sufficient. Weddings are expensive for everyone. I just got married about 4 months ago and everything was well over $30k. We had about 175 people show up and invited about 250. We ended up with about $30k in cash, divided by 250 people comes out to an average of $120 per person.

 

I won't argue about what the convention is, but I don't think people should expect to sort of come out even after having a wedding. For instance, I don't feel like I should spend 100-120 bucks on someone I don't feel is a close friend, regardless of how much they planned their wedding to cost per person. Things are different if it's a close friend, but it's not my choice that someone chose to have an expensive party.
I guess if you separate the wedding and reception you can go with that theory. If you don't want to spring for a good gift, then don't go to the reception and eat/drink for free.
I was also uncomfortable when my fiance wanted us to register for gifts.. "Here everyone, here is the stuff we want you to buy us..".
But I've since come around to the idea a little more.

 

It's my understanding as well that your gift should be roughly what your plate costs, although this can be difficult to guess sometimes and this also varies by culture. If you don't like the idea of cash/gift card, I agree with others who have said to check out if the couple is registered anywhere.

 

When I get married, it'll say on the invitations: "Cash only please! No crappy gifts like pans and pots, etc."

At least $100 a pop would be nice.

Btw, in Asian weddings, like my relatives', they make money, which means they received more money than they spent on the wedding and wedding-related stuff.

 

If your not that close to them do them a favor and don't go to their wedding.

 

fyi: 50,000 miles is 2x around the globe. so unless you're coming in from somewhere in orbit, you're not likely to have to travel more than 13-14K miles. fyi.

 

if u care about them enough to attend their reception party.. 100 is chump change.....

if you're out of work. thats a whole different ball game

 

Damn straight! If I have to come from the International space station for your freaking wedding you ain't getting nothing but space dust! Maybe I'll give you that failing oxygenator!

 

 

I have a feeling Mr.Excel spends a good deal of his time in orbit these dayz.........


space dust, eh excel? o yeah...