How Much Should I Spend on a Destination Wedding Gift?

"How Much Should I Spend on a Destination Wedding Gift?"

April 4, 2012

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

My best friend is getting married on a beach about 2,000 miles from where we live, so I'm already spending a good deal of money to stay for the week and see her tie the knot. Since I'm spending so much on the trip, how much should I spend on a wedding gift? Honestly, I won't have much of anything left over by the time I pay for travel. My mom thinks that my presence should be the gift and that I only owe my friend a card. Thoughts?

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8 Comments

CoporateGifts 1 year

I think gifts is a better option than travelling you can give a gift like photo gifts,photo mugs, photo printing etc.

vanilla and pink 1 year

In a similar situation, I got a vase, so he could always give her flowers to keep the romance alive. It's never hard to find something stylish if you spend the time shopping around.

Silje 1 year

No experience, but if she really is your best friend you should get her something more than a card, but not necessarily something expensive. Tr something home-made that they can keep and cherish, a picture of them or you two in a nice picture frame or maybe a collage of your best times together, something like that :)

onlysourcherry 1 year

Well, emily post would say that you still need to give them a gift. It may be an old rule, but you do run the risk of offending them if you do not bring anything but a card. With that said, it does NOT need to be an expensive gift. Also keep in mind that you can send a wedding gift up to one year after the wedding. So If you can scrape together $50 over the next year, you can still get them a nice gift.

henna red 1 year

Agreeing with everyone. And I think the pic is a terrific idea. Have a great time! Lucky her, lucky you, beach wedding :)

BiWife 1 year

totally agree - you're spending a ton of cash to be there with your friend at her perfect, location wedding. YOU are what she wants at her wedding, not a gift. Granted, I loooved all the gift cards we got when we got married (we were broke as a joke when we first got together), but you're already putting down way more money for your travel expenses than you would normally spend on a gift.

lcrox07 1 year

Yeah, I agree. Just get her a nice well written card that really expresses you. Or if you can, make her a gift! perhaps a home decoration for her new place that will remind her of you. No need to spend money.

HisGoldenEyes 1 year

I agree with your mom. Buy your friend a beautiful card, and write her a heartfelt message from the bottom of your heart. Maybe include a nice photo of the two of you, and if you REALLY feel you need to get a gift, put the photo in a lovely frame!! My best friend got married in Mexico (we're in Northern Canada), and we didn't get them a big gift. We stayed at a 5 star resort for 2 weeks costing us a fortune... they completely understood and actually did not ask for gifts from anyone. Enjoy the trip!!!

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8 Comments