Gift ideas
Wedding gift ideas
At a wedding the question is rarely what to give but how much, and whether to stick to the list. Below: the amounts people actually give in the UK, what to do when there is a honeymoon fund, and when the gift should arrive.
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Two people, one gift
Couples rarely share taste. With the World Gift Card both of them choose their own brand out of one amount, and nobody has to be polite about a vase.
When it should arrive
Registries expect gifts before the day; cash gifts usually arrive on it. A digital card can be scheduled for the wedding date itself, while anything posted should go well in advance — nobody is home that week.
Digital
Right up to the day itself: digital usually within minutes, once payment succeeds.
By post
Physical cards typically take a few business days, depending on destination, quantity and personalisation. Count back from the day and order well ahead.
Etiquette. Where there is a registry, working off-list isn't originality — it is extra admin for the couple. Where there is a honeymoon fund, an amount needs no explanation.
Eight directions for a wedding
Put it towards the honeymoon
The biggest cost after the day itself, and the one place an amount needs no justification. A card at a travel brand makes it concrete.
Something for the first shared home
Most couples already live together, but with furniture from two flats. Fund what they get to choose again, together.
Dinner out later in the year
There is a slump after the wedding. An evening out in October is worth more than a third vase.
Go in with the rest of the family
One larger amount from a group lands better than six separate gifts, and the couple writes one thank you.
Something for the day after
Breakfast, a spa, an extra night. Practical, and nobody else thinks of it.
Follow the list, but finish it
If one item on the registry is half funded, close it. More useful than something adjacent.
Something that goes into the house and stays
Tableware, linen, a good kitchen machine. Traditional, and still the most used.
Let the couple choose
One card, hundreds of brands, two people with different taste. They can split it themselves.
How much to give
Usual bands in the UK, by how close you are to the couple.
| Under £25 | Only as part of a large group gift from work. On its own it sits below the norm. |
|---|---|
| £25–50 | Acquaintances and colleagues invited to the evening reception. |
| £50–100 | Friends attending the full day. This is the band most guests land on. |
| £100 and up | Close family, witnesses, and couples whose own wedding you attended. |
Frequently asked questions
How much should you give at a wedding?
For friends attending the full day, £50–100 per guest is the common band. Evening-only invitations sit lower.
Do you give per person or per couple?
Per couple if you attend together, but somewhat above a single guest's amount.
What about a honeymoon fund?
Then money is the point. A gift card fits that intent and is easier to hand over than cash.
Can you go off-registry?
You can, but the list exists because the couple already made the choices. Going off it lengthens their week.
When should the gift arrive?
On the day for cash-style gifts, before the day if there is a registry to tick off.
Is a gift card too impersonal for a wedding?
Not with the right amount and a written message. Cash in an envelope is the less personal option.
What if they marry abroad?
The recipient picks their own country and currency when redeeming, so the card travels without conversion.
How long can they wait before spending it?
At least 24 months — enough for a honeymoon taken later.
Can the whole family give on one card?
Yes. One amount, one card, and the names in the message.
Other occasions
Looking for a different moment?