How Much to Spend on a Wedding Gift in 2021

Weddings are always a joyous and beautiful celebration, no matter how well you know the couple. However, even if your food and drinks are provided on the day, it can still be a costly event by the time you find an outfit, organise transport and most importantly, buy the wedding gift.

If you’re not sure how much to spend on a wedding gift, there are sure-fire ways to work this out. This guide will help you find a wedding present that’s just the right price.

Tradition

Starting with tradition, it’s very common to use the average cost per head for food and drinks to work out how much cash you’ll need for a wedding gift. According to the 2020 Australian Wedding Industry Report, the current average wedding catering cost is $9,891. So, if you know there are 100 guests attending the wedding, you can safely estimate your cost per head at just under $100.

Attendance

Flying to Bali for your cousin Joe’s wedding? You may need to pay a pretty penny just to get to the wedding. Reported by WorldFirst, 59% of couples feel that getting all their friends and family to the wedding is the biggest challenge on the day, and this is especially true when it comes to destination weddings.

Considering the cost of flights and accommodation, attending a destination wedding could end up costing thousands. Consider these costs when purchasing a wedding gift for the happy couple. If you’re paying your own way to the wedding, your presence may be the ultimate gift.

Relationship

Deciding how much to spend on a wedding gift is generally determined by your relationship with the person or in this case, couple. How well do you know the bride and groom? Are they your oldest childhood friends? Or a friendly office acquaintance who invited the whole team to their wedding? This will determine the amount you’re advised to spend.

What Can You Afford?

Without thinking about anybody else, we suggest asking yourself (and answering truthfully) how much you can realistically afford. Everybody has a budget for discretionary spending and using this as a guide will help you set a maximum price.

No matter how badly you want to buy the bride and groom something amazing, they wouldn’t want you to go broke just to get them a gift.

Wedding Gift Ideas

So, you’ve decided how much cash you have for a wedding gift and now you need to spend it. Here are a couple of popular options:

Wishing Well

Some couples have a wishing well at their wedding which is like a donation box used to collect money on the day. Instead of buying a wedding gift, you could just donate to the wishing well.

Gift Registry

It’s become popular for couples to send guests their online gift registry, where they can choose from a selected range of gifts to buy or pay a portion of. In doing so, the newlyweds will receive a gift they really want, or something more extravagant which was bought collectively by several guests.

Group Gifts

Contributing to a group gift is an excellent way to spend your money and make sure the couple receives something of value, such as this artisanal (retailing for $899, with free engraving).

What If You Can’t Attend the Wedding?

You may not be able to attend the wedding due to clashing schedules or from a purely financial standpoint. If this is the case, it’s still customary to send a wedding gift if you know the couple well.

Other Considerations

Sometimes the age of the couple can determine the cost of their wedding gift. Previously, it’s been found that from their guests because they may already be established with a house and all the furnishings. It may also be their second marriage.
As you can see, there are lots of helpful tips to determine how much to spend on a wedding gift. Regardless of your selection, you’ll probably find that the best gift you can give the newlyweds is your presence on their special day!

Disclaimer: Please be aware that Cigno Loans’ articles do not replace advice from an accountant or financial advisor. All information provided is intended to be used as a guide only, as it does not take into account your personal financial situation or needs. If you require assistance, it is recommended that you consult a licensed financial or tax advisor.

NOTIFICATION OF MISCONDUCT BY CIGNO AUSTRALIA

Ordered by the Federal Court of Australia

The Federal Court of Australia has found that Cigno Australia Pty Ltd (Cigno Australia) and BSF Solutions Pty Ltd (BSF Solutions) have breached the law by engaging in unlicensed credit activity and charging prohibited fees.

In the period from July 2022 to 3 October 2023, over 100,000 consumers have been lent a total of $34 million, and charged fees of over $70 million, under the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’ operated by BSF Solutions and Cigno Australia. At no time has either BSF Solutions or Cigno Australia held an Australian Credit Licence.

The Court also found that Mark Swanepoel (director of Cigno Australia) and Brenton James Harrison (director of BSF Solutions) were involved in these breaches of the law.

With effect from 24 May 2024, the Court has granted permanent injunctions preventing Cigno Australia and BSF Solutions from:

  • demanding, receiving or accepting fees or charges, including amounts of loan principal, from consumers in relation to credit provided under the ‘No Upfront Charge Model’; and
  • engaging in further credit activity pursuant to the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’, including by entering into new agreements with consumers, for so long as they do not hold an Australian Credit Licence.

Cigno Australia was ordered by the Court to, by 5th July 2024, send written communications to consumers who between July 2022 and December 2022 entered into agreements with Cigno Australia and BSF Solutions under the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’.

The Court will later determine whether (among other things) Cigno Australia and Mark Swanepoel ought to pay a pecuniary penalty in respect of this conduct, and whether Mark Swanepoel should be restrained from carrying on a business engaging in credit activity.

Cigno Australia, BSF Solutions, Mr Swanepoel and Mr Harrison intend to appeal the decision of the Court and have filed an application for leave to appeal. If the appeal is successful, some or all of the orders of the Federal Court of Australia may be set aside.

Where can you get more information?

Where to go for further support

You can access legal advice in your state at: Free legal advice – Moneysmart.gov.au.

If you are experiencing trouble with debt, or money worries in general, contact:

  • the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or online chat (9:30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday).

If you need someone to talk to, contact:

  • Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours) or their crisis support online chat or
  • Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 (24 hours) or their webchat