Knowing how much to give for a wedding gift can be one of the more delicate questions for guests, balancing personal budgets with the nature of their relationship to the couple. In this article, Wedded Wonderland offers a perspective on gifting traditions from Hunter Valley wishing wells to honeymoon funds for the Amalfi Coast.
Generally speaking, most guests give from AUD 100 to AUD 400 and above, with the figure rising as the relationship grows closer. Colleagues give around AUD 100 to AUD 150, friends AUD 150 to AUD 250, close friends AUD 250 to AUD 350, and siblings or parents AUD 400 and above. The table sets out each figure per person and as a couple.
Relationship | Per person (AUD) | As a couple (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
Colleague or acquaintance | 100 to 150 | 150 to 250 |
Friend or extended family | 150 to 250 | 250 to 400 |
Close friend or cousin | 250 to 350 | 400 to 500 |
Wedding party | 200 to 300, or a personal gift | 300 to 500 |
Sibling, parent or grandparent | 400 and above | 500 and above |
These figures are a starting point, and every guest should give what sits comfortably with them. A heartfelt card with a thoughtful amount is always received warmly.
Australian wedding gift etiquette favours cash, usually given through a wishing well at the reception or a cash registry online. Physical registry gifts remain welcome, particularly from older relatives who enjoy choosing something lasting.
Guests who are unsure can look at the couple's wedding website, where registry or wishing well details are usually shared. Couples who plan with Wonderland Studio publish these details on their event website, and the couple's choice of registry is the clearest signal of what they would value most.
Closeness to the couple sets the figure, while attending, giving as a couple and the wedding's location move it up or down. The cost of your plate no longer comes into it.
The closer the relationship, the more generous the gift. A sibling might give several times what a colleague gives, and both gifts are entirely appropriate.
A couple or family gives one joint gift, signed by everyone it comes from. As a guide, a couple gives around one and a half to two times the individual amount.
Matching the cost of your meal and drinks is an old rule that has largely fallen away. How much to give for a wedding gift reflects your relationship with the couple, and a generous host never expects guests to cover their own way.
Guests who cannot attend still send a gift, usually a little smaller than if they were attending. Post it with a card before the wedding or transfer it to the couple's registry.
In several cultures, how much to give for a wedding gift carries meaning of its own, from lucky numbers to symbols of continuity. If you are attending a celebration with traditions different from your own, these customs help you give with confidence.
Cash is given in a red envelope, known as hongbao in Mandarin and lai see in Cantonese. Guests favour amounts with lucky numbers, especially eight, and avoid any figure containing four, which is considered unlucky.
Shagun is a cash gift given in an amount ending in one, such as AUD 101 or AUD 251. The extra dollar symbolises continuity and a fresh beginning for the couple.
Many Jewish guests give in multiples of 18, such as AUD 180 or AUD 360. The number represents chai, the Hebrew word for life.
At Italian weddings, guests traditionally give cash in an envelope called la busta, often handed to the couple during the reception. Many couples carry a satin bag to collect them as they greet each table.
Guests travelling to a destination wedding can give a little less than they would at home, because the journey itself is part of the celebration. Couples marrying abroad understand what their guests have invested in flights and accommodation.
As a guide, a guest attending a wedding overseas might give around half of what they would give at home. An experience on the couple's honeymoon, such as a private dinner or a spa ritual, makes a memorable alternative to cash. Our guide to the best time of year for a honeymoon can help you time an experience gift well, and our destination wedding guide sets out what to expect when a celebration takes place abroad.
Follow the couple's registry or cash fund where one exists, since it reflects what they would value most. A personal gift is welcome when you know the couple well and choose something lasting.
To give cash, place it in a card with a handwritten message, or transfer it to the couple's honeymoon fund and write a card to bring on the day. Many couples now invite cash gifts, and our guide to asking for money instead of wedding gifts covers how they word the request.
Give your wedding gift before the wedding or on the day, wherever a wishing well or gift table is provided. Registry gifts are best sent before the wedding, so the couple is not managing deliveries during the celebration.
If you cannot attend, send your gift with your RSVP or shortly before the wedding. A gift sent within a few months of the wedding is still warmly received, particularly with a card.
Knowing how much to give for a wedding gift is only part of it. The most memorable gifts reflect the couple's life together, whether that is a contribution to their first home or a dinner on their honeymoon. A considered card with a personal message stays with them long after the celebration.
At Wedded Wonderland, we help couples plan honeymoons and celebrations abroad, and guests can contribute to those moments too. Explore our destination honeymoon packages for ideas, or consider a Wedded Concierge gift for a couple planning their wedding.
Chai: The Hebrew word for life, represented by the number 18.
Hongbao: A red envelope containing cash, given at Chinese weddings and celebrations.
La busta: The envelope of cash given to the couple at Italian weddings.
Shagun: A cash gift given at Indian weddings, in an amount ending in one.
Wishing well: A decorative box at the reception where guests leave cards and cash gifts.
Written by
Editor & Content Writer
Jillian Arambulo is the Editorial and Content Writer at Wedded Wonderland, specialising in branded content strategy. Her writing spans luxury lifestyle, travel, culture, beauty and emerging trends, bringing together comprehensive guides and features that connect readers with the places, ideas and experiences worth discovering.
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