As wedding season picks up pace in various parts of Canada, guests are faced with a common dilemma in a time of rising costs: how much to spend on a wedding present? Attending a wedding can quickly add up with expenses like travel, accommodations, and new attire. Furthermore, more couples are now opting for cash gifts or contributions towards their honeymoon instead of traditional registry items, leaving guests uncertain about expectations.
Sydney MacDonald from Calgary’s Beltline mentioned that determining a specific amount for every wedding is challenging due to differing circumstances. She typically leans towards giving between $100 to $200 at weddings she attends. Meghan McKay suggested $250, while Patrick Griffin proposed $100. Faye Bian expressed a preference for a gift within the $50 to $100 range.
These deliberations are becoming more prevalent as Canadians navigate wedding etiquette alongside the realities of a higher cost of living. Lauren Dubie, who is planning her wedding for 2028, considers her own financial situation and relationship with the couple when deciding on a gift. She emphasized a preference for cash gifts over traditional registries, which she views as outdated.
The evolving landscape of wedding etiquette coincides with increasing wedding expenses. Statistics from WeddingWire Canada and The Knot’s 2025 Global Report indicate that the average Canadian wedding costs between $30,000 and $42,000. Inflation has surged by nearly 20% since 2021, with notable spikes in hotel and flower prices. Amanda Figueredo, the owner of Day of Diva Planning & Coordination, highlighted rising costs in food and beverage, particularly noting the increase in signature drink prices and the narrowing price gap between buffet and plated meal options.
Figueredo cautioned against directly linking gifts to wedding expenses, emphasizing that numerous factors contribute to overall wedding costs. She suggested a starting point of around $100 for gifts. Wedding industry professionals underscore that there is no fixed rule for wedding gifts, emphasizing that gifts should come from the heart and align with one’s means.
Lenora Kingcott, a veteran in the wedding industry, expressed that the notion of guests covering their plate costs is outdated. She suggested around $100 per guest as a common benchmark, with the amount potentially increasing based on the guest’s financial capacity and emotional connection to the couple. Kingcott advised against getting swayed by social media pressures on wedding gift etiquette, emphasizing that suggestions should not make anyone feel inadequate.
Changing lifestyles have reshaped gift-giving traditions, with many couples already cohabiting and having established households pre-wedding. As a result, traditional registries are less common, with couples opting for cash gifts or contributions towards experiences like honeymoons. In some cultures, such as within the South Asian community, monetary gifts are a longstanding tradition symbolizing prosperity and success for the couple.
Jennifer Bruce, who got married in Calgary last September, requested contributions to a honeymoon fund instead of physical gifts, reflecting a trend towards experiential gifts over material items. Cultural variations exist, with different communities having distinct traditions around wedding gifts, such as the practice of giving red envelopes for good luck in some cultures. The dollar amount for wedding gifts has seen an upward trend in recent years, reflecting changing norms and circumstances.
