How much money to give at a wedding as a gift

It’s common for couples getting married to ask for cash instead of traditional presents, but there’s often awkwardness around both the asking and deciding how much money for a wedding present is appropriate. 

No one wants to seem stingy or overly flashy, so is there a happy medium for how much money to give as a wedding gift? 

Let’s look at the facts, figures, and etiquette around wedding gift money to answer this question. 

Does how much money you should give at a wedding depend on your relationship to the couple?

“How much money should I give as a wedding gift?” is a question that haunts more wedding guests than you might think. Often, this comes down to how well you know the couple. A recent YouGov survey highlighted the average wedding gift of money based on whether the couple were close family or best friends, colleagues, distant relatives, or acquaintances. 

Your own budget should be your priority (don’t get into debt just to be generous!), but your relationship to the couple is also a good starting point. Here’s a snapshot of the survey findings.

So, what is the average wedding gift amount in the UK?

According to the YouGov survey, most guests spend around £75-£100 on a wedding gift, with £50-£100 being the most commonly accepted range.

Some wedding blogs and registries place the average wedding gift amount around £75, which neatly ties into the survey results too. While Prezola reports how much money to give as a wedding gift in the UK, as follows:

• The average physical wedding gift spend is £87

• The average cash gift is £102

Based on all of the above, it’s rare that anyone spends above £100. To take the stress out of it, Hitched has created a nifty wedding gift calculator that considers all your personal circumstances.

Is a money gift for a wedding a good idea?

In short, yes. A money wedding gift can be a thoughtful, practical choice, depending on the couple’s preferences. If they’ve created a gift list, it’s best to follow that. If not, money is acceptable.

That said, a money wedding gift isn’t everyone’s first choice. Some guests feel unsure about giving cash for personal or cultural reasons.

To understand how it’s received, we asked couples who married at The Lawrence why a money wedding gift was the most appreciated present they received. Their answers show why it can be genuinely life-changing:

“It paid for a honeymoon - something we didn’t think we could afford after the wedding.”

“It covered early expenses and helped us set up our home together.”

“It removed the stress of receiving things we didn’t need or have space for.”

“It felt thoughtful - guests were contributing to our future, not just giving items.”

“We travelled the world - something we’d planned to save another year for after the wedding.”

“It allowed a small second celebration with family abroad who couldn’t attend.”

“It covered relocation costs for a job, which was a major step for both our careers.”

How to present wedding money as a gift

Lots of you wonder: how do you give money as a wedding gift? Does it just go in your card to the couple, or is there a special wedding money envelope? 

Well, actually, yes, there are some lovely wedding money wallet designs out there. So you can deliver your gift stylishly and discreetly. 

What to write in a wedding card when giving money as a gift

As for the wording in wedding gift money cards, this depends on your relationship to the couple. It would be wildly inappropriate to write something deeply personal to a work colleague you’re not overly close with, for example. You don’t have to refer to your money gift, but you can if you wish. These wedding messages by The Knot should inspire you. 

Make memories with weddings at The Lawrence

There’s no strict rule on how much money to give at a wedding as a gift. It comes down to your relationship with the couple and what feels right for you. 

At The Lawrence, we’ve seen firsthand how a money wedding gift can often go much further than expected for our newlyweds. 

If you’re planning your own celebration or helping a friend, explore our beautiful wedding venue in the North West to see how The Lawrence could be the perfect setting.