How Much to Give for a Wedding Gift in Australia
There is no fixed amount you have to give as a wedding gift in Australia, and a couple should never tell you one. Cash and wishing-well contributions are completely normal here, especially now that most couples already live together, so the honest answer to "how much?" is: what you can comfortably give, guided by how close you are to the couple and what it costs you to be there.
The A$ ranges below are what most Australian guests give. Treat them as a starting point, not a rule, and adjust for your own budget and situation.
How much to give as a wedding gift
Most guests give roughly what they would have spent on a physical gift, scaled by their relationship to the couple. As a rough guide, in Australian dollars:
| Your relationship | Typical gift (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Immediate family | A$200–A$500 |
| Extended family | A$150–A$300 |
| Close friend | A$150–A$250 |
| Friend | A$100–A$200 |
| Colleague or acquaintance | A$75–A$150 |
These are typical AUD ranges, not a required amount. Any contribution is genuinely appreciated, and it is always fine to give less if that is what your budget allows.
What changes how much you give
- How close you are to the couple, a sibling or best friend usually gives more than a work colleague or a distant cousin.
- Whether you bring a partner or plus-one, a couple attending together typically gives more than a single guest, often around one and a half to two times a solo figure.
- The formality of the wedding, a black-tie or lavish reception can nudge expectations upward.
- What it costs you to attend, if you've paid for interstate or overseas flights, accommodation and time off, it's completely reasonable to give a little less.
- Whether you are also giving a physical gift off the registry, if so, the cash top-up can be smaller.
- Your own budget, above everything else. Never overstretch, your presence matters more than the size of the gift.
- Whether the couple has a wishing well or a gift registry, a wishing well simply means your gift takes the form of a contribution rather than an item.
Worked examples
A close friend, attending solo
Around A$150–200. You know them well but it is not immediate family, so landing in the middle of the friend-to-close-friend range feels right.
You and your partner, at a cousin's wedding
Around A$300–600 between you. Extended family sits at about A$150–300 per person, so scale up from a single figure for the two of you rather than giving one person's amount.
A work colleague you are friendly with
Around A$100. Polite and appropriate without overcommitting, and perfectly acceptable if you are one of several colleagues invited.
A destination wedding you have flown interstate for
A little less is completely reasonable, closer to A$100 even for a good friend. You have already spent significantly on flights and accommodation to be there, and thoughtful couples understand that.
Cash-gift etiquette: do's & don'ts
Do
- Give what you can comfortably afford, the amount should never leave you stretched.
- Use the couple's wishing well or registry if they have one, it saves everyone fumbling with envelopes on the day.
- Include a short card, a warm note matters more than the number inside it.
- Factor in a plus-one, if you are attending as a couple, give as a couple.
- Give privately, there is no need for anyone else to know the amount.
Don't
- Don't feel you must match what someone else gave, your budget is your own.
- Don't skip a gift entirely out of embarrassment at giving a small amount, a modest contribution with a kind note is always welcome.
- Don't hand cash to the couple during the ceremony, use the wishing well, a card, or an online contribution.
- Don't assume a bigger number buys goodwill, thoughtfulness lands better than size.
Wedding gift amount FAQ
There is no set amount, and the couple should never specify one. In practice most Australian guests give between about A$100 and A$250, with immediate family often giving A$200 or more and colleagues or acquaintances closer to A$75–150. Give what you can comfortably afford, guided by how close you are to the couple.
Not at all. Cash gifting through a wishing well is now common and widely understood in Australia, especially for couples who already have a home together. As long as it comes with a warm card, cash is a genuinely welcome gift.
Usually, yes. A couple attending together typically gives more than a single guest, often around one and a half to two times a solo figure, because two of you are being hosted and catered for. There is no exact multiplier, so use your judgement and your budget.
Give what you can. A smaller contribution with a heartfelt note is always appreciated, and no thoughtful couple expects a guest to overstretch. If money is tight, a modest amount, a handwritten card, or even a practical gift you already own the means to give are all perfectly acceptable.
Not necessarily. If you have travelled interstate or overseas and paid for flights, accommodation and time off, it is completely reasonable to give a little less than you otherwise would. Your effort and cost to attend are part of your gift, and considerate couples understand that.
Follow the couple's lead. If they have set up a wishing well, a cash contribution is exactly what they are hoping for. If they have a gift registry, choosing an item they have asked for is just as thoughtful. Many couples offer both so guests can pick whichever they prefer.
Setting up your own wedding registry?
Add a cash wishing well, mix in a few specific gifts if you like, and share one link. It's free to create and your contributions come straight to you.