Thousands of people each year are guests at weddings and with the wedding ceremonies and receptions increasingly more elaborate, most deliberate on what amount of money to spend on a gift for the couple. There are various things that should be considered when deciding what to spend on a gift. Here are some simple guidelines to follow.

The first rule when it comes to wedding gifts is ultimately what you feel comfortable giving. Having said that, there are many people that want to ensure they give an amount that is neither too small nor too much. One consideration when figuring out what kind of wedding gift to give is the type of couple getting married. For first time marriages, they are just starting out and would most likely appreciate a monetary gift more than anything else to help pay for their wedding costs, buying their first home, assist with furnishing an apartment, etc.

For older, more mature couples that are already established, gifts of money are of less importance and they would be pleased either with money or with a more personal gift.

Obviously one consideration when choosing the amount of a wedding gift is how well you know the couple being wed. If you are an immediate family member or a very close friend, a gift of money totaling several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars is considered normal. It really depends on how much you can afford to give. Ultimately the couple is just happy to have those who are close to them in attendance for their special day. Of course some sort of gift is common etiquette.

For others attending the wedding, such as friends, co-workers and distant family members, you should generally give an amount that you think is equal to the cost of inviting you to the wedding. For instance, if you think the cost to invite both you and your guest is $100 than this amount is appropriate. If you are able to give this amount plus 25% to 50% more, your gift will be graciously received.

You may consider asking the bride and groom if they are registered somewhere, so you can pick out something they actually want, saving them the hassle of making a return after the wedding. Traditionally couples would register for basics such china and glassware. Today couples register for a variety of items including anything from food processors to camping equipment. A gift should be a token of affection. They may also be brought to the reception. In this case family members will be responsible for seeing that the gifts are delivered to the bride and groom.

Gifts of money can be sent to the happy couple as soon as you receive an invitation to their wedding. For those giving actual gifts and not monetary gifts, the guidelines are usually the same.

In any event a proper card should accompany every gift, whether it be monetary or otherwise. A card can say much about your well wishes for the bride and groom. Never underestimate the importance of an exceptional card.

Picking a wedding gift does not need to be stressful. The bride and groom are entering an exciting time of their lives together. They will be pleased with any gift you give them.