How Much Cash to Give at a Wedding: 2025 Guide

Give $100-$250 for friends, $200-$500+ for family. Cash has become one of the most appreciated wedding gifts, with 40% of guests now choosing it over physical presents¹. Modern couples, especially those already living together, prefer the flexibility cash provides to put toward their honeymoon, home, or future plans.

The exact amount depends on your relationship to the couple, your budget, and regional norms. This guide covers appropriate cash gift amounts across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, along with proper etiquette for giving cash gracefully.

Cash Gift Amounts by Relationship

The closer you are to the couple, the more generous your gift should be. However, always give what you can comfortably afford without financial strain.

According to The Knot's 2024 Guest Study, wedding guests spent an average of $150 on gifts, with close friends and family averaging $160¹. The amount increases with relationship closeness, not with wedding extravagance.

Regional Guidelines

Cash gift norms vary significantly by country and culture. What's considered generous in one region may be standard in another.

United States

American guests increasingly prefer cash over registry gifts. Key statistics:

• Average cash gift: $100-$250 depending on relationship¹
• Average overall gift spend: $150 per guest (2024)¹
• Close friends and family: $160 average¹
• Casual friends: $140 average¹

The "cover your plate" tradition suggests matching your gift to the estimated per-person cost of the wedding, but this is more guideline than rule. Major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco often see higher gift amounts due to cost of living.

United Kingdom

British wedding gift culture traditionally favored physical presents from gift lists, but cash is now widely accepted:

• Average cash gift: £100 per person²
• Average physical gift: £87²
• Close family: £150-£300
• Friends: £75-£100
• Acquaintances: £25-£50

UK guests often contribute to a honeymoon fund or give cash via bank transfer rather than physical money. The phrase "wishing well" is less common in the UK than in Australia, but cash contributions are still appreciated.

Australia

Australians have embraced cash gifts enthusiastically, with wishing wells becoming the norm:

• Average cash gift: $100-$200 per person³
• Most common amount: $76-$100 (29% of guests)³
• Wishing well preference: 75% of couples now prefer cash over registry gifts⁴
• Close friends: $150-$350 AUD
• Extended family: $100-$300 AUD

Wedding planner Paula Barham from the Wedding Planners Association of Australia notes that gift amounts have roughly doubled in recent years, from $50 per head to around $100³.

Canada

Canadian gift amounts fall between American and British norms:

• Average cash gift: $100-$200 per person⁵
• Close friends/family: $150-$200+
• Casual friends: $75-$125
• Distant relatives/coworkers: $50-$100

Regional variations exist within Canada, with weddings in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver often seeing slightly higher gift amounts than rural areas.

How to Present Cash at a Wedding

The presentation of your cash gift matters almost as much as the amount. Here are the most common methods:

Personal Check

Checks remain the most secure way to give cash at a wedding:

• Payee: Write out to one partner, both partners, or "Mr. and Mrs. [Last Name]"
• Security: If lost, can be cancelled and reissued
• Tracking: Provides a paper trail for thank-you notes
• Timing: Include in a card at the reception or mail beforehand

For same-sex couples or those keeping separate names, write the check to both individuals using "and" rather than "or."

Cash in a Card

Physical cash works well when presented properly:

• Presentation: Place bills inside a beautiful congratulations card
• Envelope: Use a high-quality envelope that seals securely
• Denominations: Larger bills (50s, 100s) feel more substantial
• Message: Always include a heartfelt note with your gift

Never hand cash without a card or envelope, as this can feel impersonal or even awkward.

Digital Transfer

Electronic payments are increasingly popular, especially in 2025:

When sending digitally:

• Include a congratulatory message in the payment note
• Confirm the correct account before sending
• Send within a week of the wedding if not done day-of
• Avoid public transaction visibility on platforms like Venmo

Cash Gift Etiquette

Follow these guidelines to give cash gracefully and appropriately.

What to Avoid

• Don't mention "covering your plate": This phrase puts a transactional feel on your gift and implies obligation rather than generosity
• Don't give less than $50: While any amount is technically acceptable, amounts under $50 may come across as token gestures for adult guests
• Don't feel obligated to match wedding extravagance: A lavish wedding doesn't require a lavish gift
• Don't apologize for your gift amount: Give what you can and do so with confidence

Give What You Can Afford

Your financial situation takes priority over arbitrary gift amounts. Couples would much rather have your presence than have you go into debt. If money is tight:

• A thoughtful card with a smaller cash amount is perfectly acceptable
• Your attendance at the wedding is itself a gift of your time
• Consider contributing to a group gift with other guests

Timing Considerations

You have flexibility on when to give your cash gift:

• Before the wedding: Reduces things the couple must manage on their big day
• At the wedding: Traditional timing, place in card box at reception
• After the wedding: Acceptable up to one year after, though within a month is ideal

For destination weddings where you've spent significantly on travel, giving before or after allows you to budget more comfortably.

Special Situations

Destination Weddings

When you've spent hundreds or thousands on flights, hotels, and activities, a smaller cash gift is expected and understood. Many etiquette experts suggest:

• Give what you would normally give, minus travel costs
• $50-$100 is acceptable when you've traveled far
• Your presence truly is the gift
• Consider a group gift with other traveling guests

Not Attending

If you cannot attend the wedding, you're not obligated to send a gift, but it's a kind gesture for close friends and family:

• Close friends/family: Send a gift as you normally would
• Acquaintances: A card with well wishes is sufficient
• Declined invitation: $50-$100 is appropriate if you wish to give

Second Marriages

For couples marrying for the second (or more) time:

• Cash is often more appropriate than physical gifts
• Amounts can be slightly lower than first weddings
• The couple likely has established households
• $75-$150 is typical for friends

Elopements and Courthouse Weddings

Even intimate ceremonies deserve recognition:

• If invited to any celebration after, give as you would for any wedding
• If not invited to anything, a card and smaller gift is appropriate
• $50-$150 depending on relationship

Couples Attending Together

When two people attend a wedding together, gifts typically come from both:

• Dating/engaged couples: $150-$250 combined
• Married couples: $200-$300+ combined
• Family of four+: $200-$300+ as one gift

The old rule of "double everything" doesn't always apply. Most etiquette experts suggest giving 1.5x to 2x what one person would give solo.

When Cash Is Especially Appreciated

Cash gifts are particularly welcome when:

• The couple already lives together and has household items
• They're saving for a house, honeymoon, or other major expense
• They have a small home with limited space for gifts
• They're moving or relocating after the wedding
• They specifically requested asking for money instead of physical gifts

Final Thoughts

Cash is never a wrong choice for a wedding gift in 2025. The key points to remember:

1. Give based on relationship: Closer ties mean more generous gifts
2. Stay within your budget: Never go into debt for a gift
3. Present thoughtfully: A beautiful card elevates any cash amount
4. Consider the couple: Their preferences matter more than tradition
5. Regional norms vary: What's typical in New York differs from rural Australia

The most important gift you bring to any wedding is your genuine happiness for the couple. The cash amount, while appreciated, will matter far less than your presence and your warm wishes for their future together.

Sources and References