As the wedding season picks up pace in various parts of Canada, many attendees are facing a common dilemma amidst rising expenses: how much should they budget for a wedding gift? With costs for travel, accommodations, and attire adding up quickly, the financial burden of attending weddings is significant. Moreover, an increasing number of couples are opting for cash gifts or contributions towards their honeymoon in place of traditional registry items, causing confusion among guests about appropriate gift amounts.
Discussing the matter, Sydney MacDonald in Calgary’s Beltline mentioned the challenge of determining a set figure due to varying circumstances. MacDonald typically leans towards a range of $100 to $200 for wedding gifts, while Meghan McKay suggests $250, and Patrick Griffin from St. John’s opts for $100. Faye Bian prefers gifting items and sets her limit at $50 to $100. These deliberations are becoming more prevalent as Canadians navigate wedding customs against the backdrop of a higher cost of living.
Lauren Dubie, who is planning her wedding for 2028, considers her financial constraints and proximity to the couple in deciding on a gift amount. She expresses a preference for cash gifts over traditional registries, which she views as outdated.
In tandem with changing gift-giving norms, the expenses associated with weddings are on the rise. According to WeddingWire Canada and The Knot’s 2025 Global Report, the average Canadian wedding now ranges from $30,000 to $42,000. Inflation has driven up costs across the board, with hotel rates surging by over 40% since 2021 and flower prices climbing by approximately 18%. Amanda Figueredo, the owner of Day of Diva Planning & Coordination, highlights significant increases in food and beverage expenses, including a spike in the price of signature drinks from $10 to $17.
Figueredo advises against directly correlating gifts with wedding costs, emphasizing that multiple factors contribute to the overall expense. She suggests a starting point of around $100 for gifts, but encourages guests to give what they can afford.
Industry experts stress that there is no fixed rule for wedding gifts, and guests should not feel pressured to meet specific expectations. Lenora Kingcott, a veteran in the wedding industry, mentions that gifts should be heartfelt and within the means of the giver. The notion of guests covering the cost of their plate is seen as outdated, with a common benchmark of around $100 per guest. Kingcott suggests that this amount can increase based on the guest’s financial capacity or emotional connection to the couple.
As gift-giving traditions evolve, many couples already cohabit before marriage, leading to a decline in traditional registry items. Jennifer Bruce, who married in Calgary last September, requested contributions to a honeymoon fund in place of physical gifts. For Bruce, the wedding was about celebrating with loved ones, and any contributions towards the honeymoon were seen as a bonus.
Cultural variations also play a role in gift-giving practices, with monetary gifts being a longstanding tradition in some communities. In the South Asian culture, money symbolizes prosperity and success for the couple. Sarika Verma from Two14 Events and Accessories highlights the significance of money in these traditions, noting that guests often present cash in red envelopes for good luck. Lisa Lee-Truong of Shing Weddings observes an increase in monetary gifts over the years, with guests commonly giving between $150 to $200 per person at weddings in Vancouver.
Overall, as wedding customs and societal norms shift, guests are encouraged to give from the heart and within their means, reflecting the evolving landscape of gift-giving practices in modern-day celebrations.
