As the wedding season gains momentum throughout Canada, many attendees are faced with a common dilemma in a time when expenses seem to be on the rise: how much should they budget for a wedding gift? With the need to cover costs for travel, accommodations, and new attire, attending a wedding can quickly add up. Moreover, an increasing number of couples are opting for cash gifts or contributions towards their honeymoon instead of traditional registry items, leaving guests uncertain about the expected gift amount.
Determining a specific gift value for every wedding can be challenging due to various circumstances, as mentioned by Sydney MacDonald during a recent discussion in Calgary’s Beltline. MacDonald shared that she typically leans towards a range of $100 to $200 for most weddings she attends. On the other hand, Meghan McKay from Calgary suggested $250, while Patrick Griffin from St. John’s mentioned $100. Faye Bian expressed a preference for giving gifts, stating that her maximum range is between $50 and $100.
These deliberations reflect the evolving norms in Canada as individuals strive to balance wedding etiquette with the current higher cost of living. Lauren Dubie, who is planning her wedding for 2028, emphasized considering her financial capacity as a young person in today’s expensive environment and her closeness to the couple. Dubie expressed a preference for cash gifts over traditional registries, which she views as outdated.
The landscape of wedding costs is shifting, with the average Canadian wedding now ranging from $30,000 to $42,000 according to WeddingWire Canada and The Knot’s 2025 Global Report. The surge in wedding expenses can be attributed to the overall rise in prices across various sectors. Statistics Canada reports nearly a 20% inflation increase since 2021, with hotel rates soaring over 40% and flower prices up by approximately 18%. Amanda Figueredo, the owner of Day of Diva Planning & Coordination, highlighted significant cost hikes in food and beverage expenses at weddings.
Figueredo cautioned against directly correlating gifts to wedding costs, emphasizing that various factors contribute to the overall expense. She suggested a starting point of around $100 for gifts. Wedding industry professionals, like Lenora Kingcott, stressed that there is no fixed rule for wedding gifts, emphasizing that gifts should come from the heart and be aligned with one’s means. Kingcott noted that the notion of guests covering their plate costs is outdated, with approximately $100 per guest being a common benchmark.
The changing dynamics of modern lifestyles have also reshaped traditional gift-giving customs, as many couples now live together before marriage and have established households. Consequently, traditional registries are becoming less prevalent, with couples opting for alternative gift options like honeymoon funds. This shift is evident in Jennifer Bruce’s wedding last September in Calgary, where guests were asked to contribute to a honeymoon fund.
Cultural traditions also play a role in gift-giving practices, with monetary gifts being a longstanding custom in certain communities. In the South Asian culture, money symbolizes prosperity and success for the couple. Professionals like Sarika Verma and Lisa Lee-Truong emphasized the significance of monetary gifts in these cultural contexts, with gifts often presented in red envelopes for good luck. The monetary value of gifts has increased over time, with guests commonly giving between $150 to $200 per person at such events nowadays.