Wedding season is almost upon us, and if you’ve been blessed with an invite to a ceremony in the upcoming months, you might be racking your brain to find the best gift for your friend or loved one, which can be stressful. Here’s the good thing: picking the perfect gift doesn’t have to feel like a top-secret mission. Jennifer Spector, the director of brand at major wedding retailer Zola, said that you can spend around $100 (the average wedding gift cost) or less, depending on your relationship to the bride or groom.
Choose your gift amount based on your relationship to the bride and groom.
During an interview with the Parade published July 7, Spector suggested that if you’re super close with the newlyweds, you might want to spend a little more to show your appreciation, but if they’re only acquaintances, something thoughtful, but budget-friendly, will do the trick. Take a look at the couple’s wedding registry first. Typically, registries contain items that vary at a wide range of different price points, and something on there is bound to fit your budget if money is tight.
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What if they don’t have a registry? Don’t fret, get creative, said Spector.
“Pick something small that matches their style and lifestyle. For example, if they love to host dinner parties, a cheese board or decanter makes a great gift,” the wedding expert explained. “Gift cards, like tickets to a show or to the store they are registered at, are another great option. Keep in mind, couples will likely be receiving a lot of gifts, so don’t choose anything too bulky or difficult to exchange.”
Cash is king.
If you’re struggling to pick the perfect wedding gift, cash is more than acceptable—it’s preferred. Nearly 87% of couples now include a cash fund on their registry, with over a third planning to use it toward a future down payment, according to Zola. With today’s soaring housing costs, it’s a gift that genuinely makes a difference for couples that may not have the money to invest in their dream home.
Infact, a LendingTree survey found that nearly half of recent newlyweds asked for help with a down payment rather than traditional gifts in 2025, and nearly 26% said it helped them contribute more toward buying a home. In today’s economy, cash is the new fine china. Notably, this trend has been steadily increasing over the years. Wedding platforms like The Knot and Zillow Home Loans reported in 2023 that there was a 55% increase in couples adding a “home fund” to their registries since 2018.
So, simply put: Don’t stress over the gift. Do what’s right for your budget, especially if you’ve already spent a significant amount of money on flights and hotel fees to make it there for the ceremony, added Spector.
“If you’re traveling to the wedding or spending a lot on pre-wedding events, it’s okay to spend a little less, but I always recommend giving a gift. It’s more about the meaning behind what you give than how much you spend.”
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