Weddings: how much do you leave?

[Riverskier]

Wow, this thread amazes me. My wife and I got married 3 years ago and we averaged $50 to $100 from most couples. I thought (and still think) that is generous. I have gone to a few friends weddings solo and given $50 cash or gift certificate. Perhaps things are different up here in Maine. If my wife and I were invited to a wedding and I thought we were expected to give $200 or more, I simply wouldn't go.

 

[2knees]

$100 a person is standard. If you've banged the bride, (or groom), at some point, you better shell out a hell of alot more.

 

[andyzee]

I generally give $150-200. But if it's a really crappy wedding, food is crap, drinks are watered down, bride is former girlfriend, I leave 2 cents.

 

[billski]

In my grandparent's Eastern European village, everyone in town is invited to the wedding. Everyone bakes and cooks stuff and brings it to the reception. Including a dozen cakes. They party for three days, drinking themselves blind. Music provided by any town folk who wanted. If you were a bad musician, you waited to play until everyone was wasted. The next week everyone thought you were great. No gifts, just food and booze. My cousin was pretty pissed because the gypsies snuck in and stole a couple of cakes when most of the people had passed out.
True story about a wedding that took place about 10 years ago.

Solves the "how much do you give" problem quite nicely.

 

[ctenidae]

No one left anything at my wedding (9 years ago). And I didn't leave anything at either of the two weddings I've been to since. Is this a Yankee thing?

 

[Riverskier]

The whole concept of "how much you should leave" is new to me. I know it is customary to bring a gift to a wedding, but I didn't know it had to be cash, or that there is an acceptable amount. We didn't register anywhere, as we didn't need anything, and most people gave us cash. We did get some other gifts (wine, household items, gift certificates) and they were all appreciated. I really had no expectations from anybody, and the idea that you should leave a certain amount just seems wrong.

 

[bvibert]

the idea that you should leave a certain amount just seems wrong.

Absolutely!