You’ve been invited to a wedding, and can’t wait to see your favourite couple tie the knot. But first – how much to spend on the wedding gift? While tradition states that you should spend about as much on the gift as how much the couple spent to have you at the wedding (judge this on the approximate cost of the meal), there are many other ways to determine how much you should pay.

How well do you know the couple?

It goes without saying that you want to shower your nearest and dearest with higher-priced gifts. In general, you can expect to pay between $100 and $150 for couples you know well, and about $50 or $75 when you’re not as close.

Look at the registry

The wedding registry will give you an idea of the couple’s tastes and, if done well, will include options from a few different price points. While you’ll never be expected to buy something off the registry, it can provide a useful guide for when you look elsewhere.

The gift of experience

When you’re not close enough to the couple to have a good sense of their style – or you just want to give the gift of minimalism – consider giving an experience or voucher. If you know where they’re going on their honeymoon, or they have a destination wedding, a voucher they can use there would be perfect. Think hot air ballooning over a serene landscape, a local cooking class, or a guided hike. It’ll be a gift they’ll remember forever.

This is a great choice as well, since many couples already live together for a few years before they tie the knot – and, as such, already have a their dining settings, cookware and appliances.

A beautiful gift for less

There are luxurious gift ideas at every price point, so even if you’re not ready to fork out the big bucks, you can still give the happy couple an everlasting gift. If you’re looking at the lower end of the price scale, think anything handmade like a unique painting from a local designer, or a meaningful item from a craft market.

The engagement party and bridal shower

Most couples these days host a few celebrations outside of their main event; if this is the case, are you expected to purchase multiple gifts? In general, the answer is yes: you should think about purchasing multiple gifts

However, don’t feel you need to spend hundreds of dollars in total – it’s fine to spread your larger budget across multiple gifts. Spend bigger on the wedding gift, and give a smaller present at each of the other celebrations. After all, it’s all about showing you care about the couple – not how much money you have!