Wedding expert reveals how much guests should gift to "cover their costs"
- last month
A wedding expert has revealed how much money guests should gift newlyweds - and says £50 is a "benchmark" to "cover your cost" on the big day.
Zoë Burke, 33, claims it is pretty standard to give cash to the bride and groom - replacing the tradition of gift giving.
She said although in the UK couples don't typically ask for anything, it is "appropriate" to give £25 and upwards to the newlyweds.
Zoë suggests £50 if you're a single guest, £100 per couple and £100 if you're family or a close friend.
But she said guests should never be "ashamed" if they can't afford to bring a wedding gift and it is never "expected".
Zoë, editor of Hitched, from Twickenham, London, said: "You're expected to cover your plate in a number of cultures.
"The average cost of catering went up to £80 per person in 2023.
"I think £50 is a benchmark to cover your standard cost of being there."
Zoë believes there is a lot of "anxiety" over what to give a couple on their wedding day.
She said: "Traditionally it was a gift list - initially for people moving in together.
"Couples don't need a kettle or toaster anymore.
"It's a difficult one to know.
"Couples don't commonly ask for money.
"I think they hope they get cash for their honeymoon.
"There is a lot of anxiety over what the couple think of you.
"Wedding gifts are never expected. It's totally optional."
Zoë says those who know the couple well will be able to judge how much they give them "better".
She said evening gifts should aim to gift £25 to £50.
She said: "It's expected to give less for an evening guest.
"Not in a rude way but you're less important. It makes sense for the number to drop."
For those not wanting to break the bank, Zoë says a personalised gift such as champagne flutes can be a nice touch.
She says transferring cash into the currency for the couple's honeymoon destination can also be a nice touch.
Zoë said: "In my 20s I knew the couple were going on a road trip of Canada. I changed £25 for Canadian dollars and said it was their coffee road trip fund.
"It felt more personal and disguised the cost."
Zoë also shared her rules for wedding guests - saying you should always RSVP promptly and never ask to bring a plus one if it is not on your invite.
She said: "It's poor etiquette just asking for a plus one.
"It's putting the couple in an awkward position.
"They would have said you had a plus one if they wanted you to have one."
Zoë said guests should respect if a couple ask for no children at the wedding and they should never wear white.
She said: "You can have a bit of white on it.
"If you're coming in a white lace or satin dress that will not go down well.
"Let the person have their moment."
For more wedding advice go to - https://www.hitched.co.uk/
Zoë Burke, 33, claims it is pretty standard to give cash to the bride and groom - replacing the tradition of gift giving.
She said although in the UK couples don't typically ask for anything, it is "appropriate" to give £25 and upwards to the newlyweds.
Zoë suggests £50 if you're a single guest, £100 per couple and £100 if you're family or a close friend.
But she said guests should never be "ashamed" if they can't afford to bring a wedding gift and it is never "expected".
Zoë, editor of Hitched, from Twickenham, London, said: "You're expected to cover your plate in a number of cultures.
"The average cost of catering went up to £80 per person in 2023.
"I think £50 is a benchmark to cover your standard cost of being there."
Zoë believes there is a lot of "anxiety" over what to give a couple on their wedding day.
She said: "Traditionally it was a gift list - initially for people moving in together.
"Couples don't need a kettle or toaster anymore.
"It's a difficult one to know.
"Couples don't commonly ask for money.
"I think they hope they get cash for their honeymoon.
"There is a lot of anxiety over what the couple think of you.
"Wedding gifts are never expected. It's totally optional."
Zoë says those who know the couple well will be able to judge how much they give them "better".
She said evening gifts should aim to gift £25 to £50.
She said: "It's expected to give less for an evening guest.
"Not in a rude way but you're less important. It makes sense for the number to drop."
For those not wanting to break the bank, Zoë says a personalised gift such as champagne flutes can be a nice touch.
She says transferring cash into the currency for the couple's honeymoon destination can also be a nice touch.
Zoë said: "In my 20s I knew the couple were going on a road trip of Canada. I changed £25 for Canadian dollars and said it was their coffee road trip fund.
"It felt more personal and disguised the cost."
Zoë also shared her rules for wedding guests - saying you should always RSVP promptly and never ask to bring a plus one if it is not on your invite.
She said: "It's poor etiquette just asking for a plus one.
"It's putting the couple in an awkward position.
"They would have said you had a plus one if they wanted you to have one."
Zoë said guests should respect if a couple ask for no children at the wedding and they should never wear white.
She said: "You can have a bit of white on it.
"If you're coming in a white lace or satin dress that will not go down well.
"Let the person have their moment."
For more wedding advice go to - https://www.hitched.co.uk/