"Like many, I had been operating under the old-school "cover your plate" mentality when attending weddings, meaning the gift I gave should be enough to offset the cost of my meal. However, I couldn't even afford to give her half that amount as a wedding gift. I was in my mid-20s and barely earning enough to pay my bills. That year alone, I had six other weddings to attend, all at five-star hotels or posh venues."
"Now that I'm older - and have worked hundreds of weddings as a hired bridesmaid for strangers - I think giving gifts based on covering your plate is a really bad idea. It's a guessing game that can often leave you writing a check for more money than you're comfortable with. Plus, there are other ways to figure out how much to give that don't put you into debt."
"As soon as the couple sends out a save-the-date, start browsing their wedding registry. Julia Pham, a certified financial planner, recommends replacing the cash gift with an item the couple picked out. "Get on their registry early for the best and widest selection of gift options," she says. "It will be easier for you to find one that fits their budget." A trick I love is picking out a registry gift that's above my price point, then looking for coupons and waiting for sales."
Basing wedding gifts on covering the cost of a guest's plate creates guessing games and can push attendees into debt. Instead, prioritize the couple's registry and shop early to find items within budget or wait for coupons and sales to secure higher-value gifts at lower prices. Coordinate with other guests to purchase a larger present collectively, adjust cash gifts according to closeness to the couple, or give later when finances allow. These approaches prevent financial strain while still providing meaningful gifts that match the couple's preferences and the giver's means.
Read at Business Insider
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