Have you been invited to a bridal shower? Be prepared to shower the bride with gifts. The point of a bridal shower is not only to come together to celebrate a bride and her upcoming marriage, but it also is a time where guests are expected to bring a present along for the bride as well. If you're trying to figure out how much you should spend on a bridal shower gift, a general rule of thumb is it does not have to be as costly as a wedding gift. However, the price range can vary depending on your relationship to the bride.
"According to traditional etiquette, you should purchase a gift when attending a bridal shower," says etiquette expert Mara Opperman. "The only time you should not bring something is if the bride-to-be requested no presents." National etiquette expertDiane Gottsman adds, "The price of the gift depends on several factors. First and foremost, your particular budget. Then, the relationship you have to the bride or groom, and how close you are to the couple."
Want to learn more about how much you should be spending for an upcoming bridal shower on your social calendar? Read ahead to learn all the details of the price of a bridal shower gift.
The Average Cost of a Bridal Shower Gift
Navigating the options for bridal shower gifts can be tricky, but there are a few tips to help guide you. According to Opperman, bridal shower gifts tend to be less expensive than wedding gifts. "Many people spend around $50 to $75, whereas closer friends and family may spend upwards of $100," she says. "However, the amount you want to spend is up to you."
Family members or close friends who are hosting the bridal shower should consider the investment they are putting into the event when considering the cost of their gift. "If you are one of the hosts, it would be assumed you were a close friend of the bride. You don’t necessarily have to spend more, but you may want to pull your resources with the rest of the hosts to purchase one gift," notes Gottsman. "You do not need to spend more money on a gift because you were expenses for the shower is part of your gift. It doesn’t mean you don’t give a gift at all, however."
Gottsman says this rule applies to the bridal party, as well. "They do not need to spend more money, but it would be a good idea for the bridal party members to combine the resources to buy one nicer gift," she adds.
How to Choose Your Gift
Once you determine your budget for a gift, Gottsman recommends looking to the registry to find the best present for the bride. "Although you may feel like you can give the bride something more specific, because you know her well, the registry is the best route to take because it is very specific on their needs," she says. "In addition, at another time, you may give her that special item you want her to have such as a small piece of art or a piece of jewelry as a family heirloom if you were a close family member."
Overall, what’s most important is finding a present that is meaningful or useful to celebrate your friend or family member’s upcoming wedding. "The bride-to-be will appreciate anything you give her," adds Opperman.
FAQs
As a rule, how much you spend on a bridal shower gift depends on your relationship with the couple. Most experts agree that $50 to $75 is an acceptable amount to spend on a bridal shower gift. Close friends and family members usually spend more than $100 on a bridal shower gift.
What is a reasonable budget for a bridal shower? ›
That works out at $300 to $800 for a 20-person party but can go as high as $150 per person or $3,000 for a 20-person shower. Based on these estimates and an average bridal shower guest list of 35-50 people, a reasonable budget for a bridal shower is between $350 and $7,500.
Is $100 enough for a wedding gift from a couple? ›
There Is No Rule Regarding Cash Gifts
Bottom line: There's no hard-and-fast rule on how much cash to give as a wedding gift. Wedding experts advise starting at $100.
Is $500 a good wedding gift? ›
You should expect to spend within this wedding gift range for close family members and dear friends, especially if the gift is coming from you and your wedding date. If it's within budget, spending between $250 and $500 much on a wedding gift is customary for relatives of the couple.
How much to spend on a bridal shower gift in 2024? ›
The standard amount to spend on a bridal shower gift is around $50-$75.
Are you supposed to give gifts for bridal shower? ›
Guests are usually expected to bring a bridal shower gift, even if they've already bought the couple a gift from their wedding registry. Luckily, you don't have to spend as much on this present. A “$50-$75 price point” is what Tami Claytor, etiquette coach at Always Appropriate recommends.
Is $50 too low for a wedding gift? ›
The average wedding gift amount ranges from $50 to $100, according to online wedding planner and retailer Zola,1 so stick to the lower end of that range for a distant co-worker or college friend you haven't kept in touch with. Spending above that average—say, $150 or more—makes more sense for closer friends.
Is $1000 too much to give as a wedding gift? ›
While the amount you should gift a couple depends on a number of factors, the latest available data from The Knot reveals that U.S. wedding guests spent an average of $160 on a gift in 2021. Adjust that for inflation and you're looking at about $187 in 2023. “It's common to give anywhere from $100 to $1,000.
Is $300 a generous wedding gift? ›
Anyone who received a separate invitation from their parents to the wedding should give their own gift. Because a family gift tends to include more people, it is customary to be on the nicer end of the registry, spending in the $200 to $300 range, but, again, stick to what fits within your budget.
Is it better to give cash or check for a wedding gift? ›
Catey Hill, resident financial expert at David's Bridal, says it's perfectly fine guests to write out a check to you. She says many brides and grooms actually prefer it. On average the typical cash gift is around $150, she says. Still, though, Hill says there are some exceptions.
She offers these guidelines to wedding-goers wherever they might be: A distant relative or co-worker should give $75-$100; a friend or relative, $100-$125; a closer relative, up to $150. If you are wealthy, are you expected to inflate the gift? No, Cooper says. “If they do, it's because they're just generous people.”
How much money do you give if you are in the bridal party? ›
Although $75 to $150 is a good average price range for wedding party gifts, it's also important to consider how much each person spent and how much is available in the total wedding budget. Planning for these gifts in advance ensures enough money is available to honor these special ladies.
What is a normal amount of people at a bridal shower? ›
A bridal shower should be an event for those closest to the bride, both in relationship and location. I'm often asked how many guests should be invited to a shower, and I usually recommend keeping it to around 25 guests if possible. Everyone wants to see their gift opened and the reaction on the bride's face.
What to bring to a bridal shower as a guest? ›
Common bridal shower gifts include kitchenware, from small appliances or utensils to towels or dishes. Shower gifts tend to stick to the event's specific theme if it has one. A cooking class shower might require a gift of your favorite cookbook, while the hostesses of a lingerie shower will ask for, well, lingerie.
How much cash should you give for a wedding present? ›
They suggest the following breakdown: coworkers or distant relatives should spend 50 to 75 dollars. Friends or relatives, 75 to 100 dollars. For close friends, family members, or if you're in the wedding party, you should spend 100 to 150 dollars—or more.
How much are bridal shower prizes? ›
The amount of money you spend on bridal shower prizes will ultimately depend on your overall budget, but anywhere between $5 and $20 per item is usually an appropriate range.
