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
The appropriate amount of money to give as a bridal shower gift is the same as the amount you would spend on a tangible present: $50–$75. Give the couple what you can comfortably afford within that range.
What's a good amount to spend on a bridal shower gift? ›
The Average Cost of a Bridal Shower Gift
"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."
Is spending $100 reasonable for bridal shower? ›
However, you'll need to spend more at a bridal shower if you want guests to have the best experience. A budget of $30 to $100 per person is reasonable.
Is $200 per person a good wedding gift? ›
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. From there, you may want to adjust up to $500 based on factors such as your relationship with the couple, your budget and the cost of your attendance at the wedding.
Is $50 a good wedding gift? ›
If you're close friends, family members, or part of the wedding party, you might decide to send a gift in the $50 to $100 range. For people who you don't know as well, like co-workers, shopping from the registry for something around the $25 mark is more than OK.
What is the etiquette for bridal shower money gift? ›
The appropriate amount of money to give as a bridal shower gift is the same as the amount you would spend on a tangible present: $50–$75. Give the couple what you can comfortably afford within that range. If your budget doesn't quite stretch to the $50 mark, that's okay.
What is the average cash gift for a wedding? ›
On average, the typical cash gift is around $150, she says. Still, Hill says there are some exceptions. “Some people don't think that's [giving money] a great idea,” Hill said. And Hill has also seen a “relaxing of the rules.” “Brides and grooms understand that some guests are financially-strapped,” she said.
What is the average budget for a bridal shower? ›
If you're going all out with an elaborate bridal shower, you could be talking $40 to $150 or more (gasp!) per person. Even a small, elaborate bridal shower (think 15 guests) could cost between $600 and $2,250—and that's before invitations, decorations and cake.
Who usually pays for a bridal shower? ›
In short, the host is the one who pays for the bridal shower—or at least some of it. Most commonly, this is the maid of honor, but the couple's relatives, friends or even the to-be-weds themselves can all pitch in to cover the cost of the wedding shower.
How much should a bridal shower prize cost? ›
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.
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 $100 OK for wedding gift? ›
Luckily, the choice on how much to give at a wedding is really up to you. A good starting point: $100 per guest, the average gift amount according to Brides.com. Then, let these other factors help you decide whether to nudge that amount up or down.
Is $150 cash a good wedding gift? ›
According to the experts, the average wedding gift amount hovers right around $100 to $150, though that can increase or decrease based on how close you are to the couple and whether or not you're attending with a plus one.
Is $50 a good bridal shower gift? ›
A monetary gift is appropriate for a bridal shower; the best amount ranges between $50 and $100.
How much to spend on a bridal shower gift if not attending? ›
If you're not attending a bridal shower, you technically don't have to give a gift. However, if you're particularly close with the bride (especially if you're in the wedding party), you might consider sending a gift that costs between $25 and $75 anyway.
How much should you spend on a bridal shower gift for a niece? ›
The standard amount to spend on a bridal shower gift is around $50-$75. If you're invited to a bridal shower but not particularly close with the bride, expect to spend at least $25. Regular friends, co-workers, or distant family members should consider spending up to $75 if they have the budget to spare.
Who normally pays for the bridal shower? ›
In short, the host is the one who pays for the bridal shower—or at least some of it. Most commonly, this is the maid of honor, but the couple's relatives, friends or even the to-be-weds themselves can all pitch in to cover the cost of the wedding shower.
How much do you spend on hostess gift bridal shower? ›
There's no set amount when it comes to gifts for your prewedding party hosts, so choose a budget that feels right for you. Whether that's $20, $50 or $70, it's really the thought that counts.
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.
