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How much to give for a wedding gift
In Canada, most guests give $75 to $100 as a coworker, $100 to $150 as a friend, and $150 to $250 as a close friend or relative. Bring a guest and give about one and a half to two times that; not going, give about half.
THE COUPLE ARE MY
AM I GOING
THE WEDDING IS IN
THE WEDDING FUND
DATEthe big day
PAY TO THE ORDER OFThe happy couple$100–150
One hundred to one hundred fiftyDOLLARS
MEMOFriend, going on my own
you
- Friend: $100 to $150 is the usual range on your own.
The usual ranges
| THE COUPLE ARE MY | ON MY OWN | WITH A GUEST | NOT GOING |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coworker or acquaintance | $75 to $100 | $125 to $150 | $50 to $75 |
| Friend | $100 to $150 | $175 to $250 | $50 to $75 |
| Close friend | $150 to $250 | $250 to $400 | $75 to $150 |
| Relative | $150 to $250 | $250 to $400 | $75 to $150 |
| Sibling or close family | $200 to $400 | $350 to $650 | $100 to $225 |
A guide, not a rule. Big-city weddings run a little higher; a wedding you travel far for runs lower. Give what you can afford.
The card matters more than the number
Couples read every card and remember the ones that said something. If you are stuck, what to write in a wedding card has lines for every kind of guest. For a shower, see bridal shower gift etiquette, and for every other occasion, how much to spend on a gift in Canada.
Questions
- How much should I give for a wedding gift in Canada?
- In Canada, most guests give $75 to $100 as a coworker, $100 to $150 as a friend, and $150 to $250 as a close friend or relative. Bring a guest and give about one and a half to two times that; not going, give about half.
- Should a wedding gift cover the cost of my plate?
- It is a common rule of thumb, especially in Toronto and Montreal, but not a requirement. Give what you can comfortably afford; a warm card with a smaller gift is never wrong.
- How much should I give if I am not attending the wedding?
- About half of what you would give attending. Sending a gift from the registry, or a box to their new home, is common and welcome.
- Is it OK to give cash or a cheque at a Canadian wedding?
- Yes. Cash, a cheque or an e-transfer is the most common wedding gift in much of Canada, usually in a card at the reception. Some families and communities have their own customs about amounts, and those come first.
- How much should a couple give for a wedding?
- About one and a half to two times what one guest would give. For friends, that is often $200 to $300 together.