How Much Cash to Give for Your Neighbor’s Wedding?

How Much Cash to Give for Your Neighbor's Wedding?

If you have attended a friend’s or family member’s wedding, you must have seen the bride and groom being showered with cash by their guests.

It is a tradition in many cultures for guests to give the newlyweds a sum of money as a gift.

But how much cash should you give for your neighbor’s wedding?

This article will discuss in detail the amount of money that is appropriate to give as a wedding gift to your neighbor, the appropriate time for giving the cash gift, the manner of giving the cash gift, and what to do if you are unable to attend the wedding.

How Much Cash to Give for Your Neighbor’s Wedding?

How Much To Give As A Wedding Gift

The amount of money you give as a wedding gift to your neighbor is entirely dependent on your relationship with the couple.

The closer you are to the couple, the more money you are expected by society to give.

If you are simply an acquaintance of the couple, a small sum of cash would be appropriate.

If you are close friends with the couple, a larger sum of cash would be expected.

Wedding experts have suggested that a good rule of thumb is giving a gift worth between $75 and $150.

This is a reasonable amount of money to give as a wedding gift to your neighbors without being too over the top or too stingy.

When Is the Appropriate Time to Give the Cash Gift?

It is considered appropriate to give the couple the cash gift after exchanging their vows and being declared husband and wife, specifically during the reception when the couple is greeting their guests.

Giving the cash gift at this time is considered a great way of congratulating them on their new marriage and wishing them all the best for their future.

How Should You Give a Cash Gift?

When giving a cash gift for your neighbor’s wedding, it is essential to be discreet.

You do not want to be seen as bragging about how much money you are giving.

It is considered proper etiquette to slip the cash into an envelope or in a card and hand it directly to the couple or to the parents.

What If You Are Unable to Attend the Wedding?

how much to give for a wedding gift cash

If you are unable to attend your neighbor’s wedding, it is not expected of you to give a cash gift.

You can send an RSVP card indicating your regrets.

If you are close friends with the couple and cannot attend the wedding, you may want to consider sending a cash gift along with a note expressing your regrets.

You can do this by mail, by dropping the envelope off at their house, or by giving it to a mutual friend to give to the couple.

Should You Give More If You Are Wealthy?

Just because you are wealthy does not mean you have to give an extravagant cash gift.

Maybe you have a tight budget that does not allow for a large gift, or maybe you think the couple does not need or want a lot of money.

Whatever your reasoning, you should not feel obligated to give more money than you are comfortable with.

A simple, heartfelt cash gift is always appreciated, no matter the value.

However, if you choose to be more generous, you could give a larger cash gift to the couple that is within your means.

Can You Use the Meal Coast as a Benchmark?

The meal cost per person is the amount of money you would spend on food and drink if you were to purchase them yourself at the wedding.

While this is a good benchmark when deciding how much cash to give as a wedding gift to your neighbors, you should not use it.

This is because it is not the guest’s duty to cover their meal’s cost.

The couple is responsible for this.

For this reason, you should not use the cost of the meal as a benchmark for how much cash to give as a wedding gift to your neighbors.

Alternatives to Giving Cash at Your Neighbor’s Wedding

Cash gifts are not the only option when it comes to wedding gifts.

You can give the couple many other thoughtful and unique gifts that they will cherish for years to come.

Here are some alternative gift ideas that you may want to consider:

  • Ornaments: You can give the couple a beautiful ornament that they can put somewhere in their home as a reminder of their special day. For example, you can find an ornament with their wedding date or the name of the place where they got married. 
  • Painted Picture Frame: Another thoughtful gift idea is to give the couple a painted picture frame. You can either paint the frame yourself or have it professionally done. Ensure you include a picture of the couple in the frame.
  • Personalized Glassware: You can give the couple a set of personalized glassware. This could be a set of champagne flutes with their names and wedding date engraved on them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Check Appropriate?

Carrying a large amount of cash to the wedding is not always the most convenient option.

If you are worried about losing or misplacing the cash, you could always write a check.

A check is just as appropriate as cash, and the couple will be able to deposit it into their bank account.

If you choose to send the check in the mail after the wedding, it would be best if you indicate their new married name on the envelope.

However, this will only be possible if one of the couples has taken the other’s last name.

Can You Send a Cash Gift Before the Wedding?

It is perfectly acceptable to send a cash gift to the bride and groom before the wedding day.

In fact, it is often appreciated by the couple as it can help them with last-minute wedding expenses.

Once you receive the wedding invitation, you can send the cash gift to the couple’s home along with a card wishing them all the best on their special day.

Final Thoughts

Giving cash to a neighbor for their wedding is a personal decision.

You may want to give a certain amount based on your relationship with the couple, that is, how close you are to them.

And of course, you should also consider your financial situation.

There is no set amount you must give, so do what you feel comfortable with and what you can afford.