How much money should you give for a wedding?
Most guests give $100–$150, and The Knot puts the average wedding gift at $150. Give more the closer you are: about $75–$100 for a coworker, $150–$250 for a close friend and $200 or more for close family. Bringing a guest? Plan on 1.5–2× that. Enter your details below.
Questions guests ask
What’s the average wedding gift?
The Knot’s Guest Study puts the average wedding gift at $150, and $140 for casual friends; 40% of guests gave cash. Zola’s 2026 First Look Report found an average of $130, with most guests spending $100–$150. Closer relationships sit higher: The Knot suggests $250 or more for immediate family and best friends.
How much more do I give if I bring a plus-one?
Zola’s guideline is 1.5–2× what you’d give on your own, and that’s what this calculator uses. Give one gift together and put both names on the card. If the whole family is invited, The Knot suggests one household gift; adult children with their own invitation give their own.
Do I still give a gift for a destination wedding?
Yes, a gift is still expected, but travel costs can justify a smaller one. Emily Post says a small, heartfelt token is always appropriate when you’ve traveled far. LendingTree found 85% of guests who traveled still felt obliged to give. Our own rule: destination moves your suggestion one step lower in the range.
Should my gift cover the cost of my plate?
No. Emily Post calls that “a modern myth.” Give what fits your budget and your relationship with the couple. Planners: link this page from your couple’s wedding website FAQ so guests stop asking them directly.
Sources
- The Knot, guide to how much to spend on a wedding gift (updated August 20, 2026)
- The Knot, Guest Study: how much guests spend on wedding gifts
- Zola, “How Much to Spend on a Wedding Gift as a Guest” (cites Zola’s 2026 First Look Report)
- Emily Post Institute, “Choosing a Wedding Gift”
- Emily Post Institute, “Destination Wedding Gifts”
- LendingTree, wedding guest and bridal party survey (March 2023, 1,995 U.S. consumers)