As the wedding season picks up in Canada, guests are faced with the perennial question of how much to spend on a wedding gift in a time when expenses seem to be on the rise. With additional costs like travel, accommodations, and attire, attending a wedding can quickly add up. Moreover, more couples are now opting for cash gifts or contributions towards their honeymoon rather than traditional registry items, leaving guests uncertain about gift expectations.
Navigating through various circumstances, individuals find it challenging to settle on a fixed amount to give each time. Some guests, like Sydney MacDonald in Calgary’s Beltline, tend to lean towards giving in the range of $100 to $200, while others, such as Meghan McKay and Patrick Griffin, suggest amounts like $250 and $100, respectively. Faye Bian, on the other hand, prefers to stick to a range of $50 to $100 as her maximum gift.
These deliberations are increasingly common as Canadians strive to balance wedding etiquette with the financial pressures of a higher cost of living. Lauren Dubie, who is planning her wedding for 2028, considers her own financial situation and proximity to the couple when deciding how much to give, expressing a preference for cash gifts over traditional registries.
The evolving landscape of wedding etiquette coincides with the escalating expenses associated with weddings. According to the 2025 Global Report from WeddingWire Canada and The Knot, the average Canadian wedding costs between $30,000 and $42,000. Inflation has surged by nearly 20% since 2021, with notable increases in hotel prices by over 40% and flower prices by around 18%. Amanda Figueredo, from Day of Diva Planning & Coordination, highlights rising costs in food and beverage expenses, citing an increase in the price of signature drinks from $10 to $17.
Industry experts emphasize that there is no fixed rule for wedding gifts, and guests should never feel pressured to give beyond their means. Lenora Kingcott, a seasoned professional in the wedding industry, suggests that gifts should come from the heart and align with one’s financial capabilities. The notion of “covering the plate” to offset meal costs is considered outdated, with a common benchmark of around $100 per guest.
With changing lifestyles and couples often living together before marriage, traditional registries filled with household items are becoming less prevalent. Some couples, like Jennifer Bruce in Calgary, are opting for honeymoon funds instead of physical gifts, recognizing that they already have established households.
Cultural traditions also influence gift-giving practices, with some communities, such as the South Asian population, having a long-standing tradition of giving money as wedding gifts. Sarika Verma, from Two14 Events and Accessories, emphasizes the symbolic significance of money in these traditions, representing abundance and prosperity for the couple. In Asian weddings, monetary gifts are prevalent, with guests commonly giving between $150 to $200 per person, reflecting an upward trend in gift amounts over the years.
In conclusion, the evolution of wedding etiquette and changing gift-giving norms reflect the broader financial realities faced by both guests and couples in today’s society.
