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The Wedding Gift Guide: 50 Under $100

The Wedding Gift Guide: 50 Under $100

Wedding season is in full swing. That means it’s time to bust out the summer suits, make a gameplan for tackling the open bar, and think about which gift to get the happy couple. While weddings are first and foremost a celebration of the love between two people, it is also a centuries-old tradition with its own set of esoteric rules. But rules are meant to be broken so expect “non-traditional weddings” to start becoming the norm. That might mean less formal dress codes, more personal wedding ceremonies, and the start of many new customs.

As someone who just got married himself, I feel I am uniquely qualified to talk about the modern wedding experience – but only as it pertains to me. While my wife and I followed many of the standard classic wedding traditions, we found ways to make it personal. (Argentine barbecue rehearsal dinner, a keg of local craft beer, etc. etc.)

One aspect that is incredibly hard to account for is the rule of gift-giving. Traditionally, wedding gifts were given to kickstart a couple’s married life together in their new home. But, given that most of us already live with our partners (including yours truly) it’s fairly moot. Still, there’s often some sort of registry to guide you and the rise of honeymoon funds has meant there’s still some guidance for gift-giving. And I guarantee you no couple will be offended by a thoughtful card and a check or some cash. But, the question remains, how much should you give?

How Much Should I Give at a Wedding?

Let me set the ground rules here: the couple is inviting you, not your gift. So, give as much as or as little as you are able to. If money is a bit tight, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a nice, thoughtful card. Just be sure to be a good guest. Hit the dance floor. Watch your booze. Congratulate the married couple. Don’t make a scene.

But, if you’re looking for a number, we’d say in most cases that $100 if you’re coming solo and $150 for you and a plus one is a solid benchmark. That being said, there are some extra considerations.

  1. Are the couple paying for the wedding for themselves? If the wedding is coming out of their pockets, it’s worth taking that into account.
  2. How expensive is the venue? Most venues charge per plate and while you might not be able to tell the exact number (and I wouldn’t recommend directly asking the couple) you can do a little internet sleuthing to get a sense for how costly the celebration is.
  3. Are you attending the other events? Rehearsal dinner, after party, post-wedding brunch, these are usually extra expenses for the couple so keep this in mind.
  4. Did you have to travel for the wedding? The couple knows that flights ain’t cheap right now. And you probably had to get a hotel room, pay for extra meals, gas, and plenty more travel expenses. The couple wanted you there first and foremost so if an expensive gift would set you over budget, don’t sweat it. Go for something small and meaningful.
  5. Are you in the wedding party? That’s yet another expense out of your pocket. Suits, dresses, extra travel, and the responsibility of helping to make sure the wedding goes off without a hitch.

The most important thing is, of course, showing up for the married couple. You don’t have to get an extravagant wedding present but you have to be a good wedding guest. They have enough things to stress about, don’t add to it.

What Gifts Should I Get for The Wedding?

If the couple has a wedding registry, that should offer a pretty good framework for what you gift. Usually, that will include homegoods, furniture, utensils, art, decor, and more. Plus, many modern couples will start a wedding fund or even a fund for a down payment for their home. In the event that only the big-ticket items are left on the registry or there’s nothing left at all you have a few options.

Going off-registry can be risky but some couples will offer some suggestions for things not available on department store registries. Or, if you know the couple well, you might have a sense for some unique artwork or other meaningful gifts. Try not to double up on any items that were already on the registry and if you do go off registry, consider holding on to the receipt in case they want an exchange.

And, like we mentioned earlier, cash or a check are always viable options. The $100/$150 guideline we suggested earlier should provide a helpful framework but take into consideration your own financial situation. There’s no 1-to-1 formula for cost-of-wedding to cost-of-gift.

The Best Wedding Gifts Under $100

If you’re still struggling to come up with a gift option without breaking the bank, we’ve got you covered with the 50 best off-registry gifts under $100.

Chemex Pour Over Coffee Maker
Chemex Pour Over Coffee Maker
$48
Bodum Electric Gooseneck Kettle
Bodum Electric Gooseneck Kettle
$40
Naan Furniture Macarella Shelf
Naan Furniture Macarella Shelf
$78
Letterfolk Standard Tile Mat
Letterfolk Standard Tile Mat
$75
Unforme Raw Espresso Cup Set
Unforme Raw Espresso Cup Set
$90
Great Jones Holy Sheet
Great Jones Holy Sheet
$40
Food52 x Dansk Købenstyle Butter Warmer
Food52 x Dansk Købenstyle Butter Warmer
$48
Boy Smells Best Buds Votive Set
Boy Smells Best Buds Votive Set
$76
Goldbelly Gift Card
Goldbelly Gift Card
$25+
Bamboo Countertop Composter
Bamboo Countertop Composter
$35
Misen Steak Knives
Misen Steak Knives
$80
Material The re Board
Material The re Board
$35
Breville Bit More Toaster
Breville Bit More Toaster
$80
Whiskey Peaks Mountain Decanter
Whiskey Peaks Mountain Decanter
$52
Pink Milk Glass Cake Stand
Pink Milk Glass Cake Stand
$85
TUSHY Classic Bidet
TUSHY Classic Bidet
$99
Open Spaces Medium Storage Bins
Open Spaces Medium Storage Bins
$54
Made in 8 Inch Chef Knife
Made in 8 Inch Chef Knife
$99
Rialto Coupe Glasses
Rialto Coupe Glasses
$60
PL8 Professional Mandoline
PL8 Professional Mandoline
$86
Nattie Champagne Glasses
Nattie Champagne Glasses
$36
Bodega Mixed Glasses
Bodega Mixed Glasses
$66
Fellow Clara French Press
Fellow Clara French Press
$99
Stacking Planter by Chen and Kai
Stacking Planter by Chen and Kai
$85
Uma Round Side Table
Uma Round Side Table
$98
Barebones Cast Iron Griddle
Barebones Cast Iron Griddle
$55
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Kindle
$90
24-Piece Cocktail Shaker Bartender Kit
24-Piece Cocktail Shaker Bartender Kit
$40
Coyuchi Air Weight® Organic Towels
Coyuchi Air Weight® Organic Towels
$48
Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray
Luxury Bathtub Caddy Tray
$51
Pineapple Collaborative The Olive Oil
Pineapple Collaborative The Olive Oil
$34
Mepra Fantasia Color Flatware Set
Mepra Fantasia Color Flatware Set
$93
Hawkins New York Essential Cotton Table Linens
Hawkins New York Essential Cotton Table Linens
$28
Luminarc 10-Piece Stackable Glass Bowl Set
Luminarc 10-Piece Stackable Glass Bowl Set
$45
Cold Picnic Eclipse Bath Mat
Cold Picnic Eclipse Bath Mat
$75
Prepdeck Duet Cooking Utensils Set
Prepdeck Duet Cooking Utensils Set
$49
Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera Deliciosa
$68
Aroma Housewares Rice Cooker
Aroma Housewares Rice Cooker
$25
Maison Balzac Bedside Carafe
Maison Balzac Bedside Carafe
$75
Yamazaki Home Leaning Ladder Rack
Yamazaki Home Leaning Ladder Rack
$66
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9
$86
Leather and Wood Magazine Rack
Leather and Wood Magazine Rack
$98
Proteak Edge Grain Cutting Board
Proteak Edge Grain Cutting Board
$70
Prepdeck Chef Pro Caddy
Prepdeck Chef Pro Caddy
$69
French Kitchen Marble Wine Cooler
French Kitchen Marble Wine Cooler
$40
Cold Picnic Good Night Pillow
Cold Picnic Good Night Pillow
$75
Hakusan Porcelain G-Type Soy Sauce Dispenser
Hakusan Porcelain G-Type Soy Sauce Dispenser
$30
Sol Natural Dyed Throw Blankets
Sol Natural Dyed Throw Blankets
$99
Verve Culture Manual Citrus Juicer
Verve Culture Manual Citrus Juicer
$98
Garden Tile Salt & Pepper Shakers
Garden Tile Salt & Pepper Shakers
$22