Cash wedding gift calculator

When you accept a wedding invitation, you're tacitly agreeing to follow every wedding guest etiquette rule, which includes everything from wearing an outfit in keeping with the dress code and arriving on time to giving the happy couple a meaningful gift.

Ultimately, what constitutes a "meaningful" wedding gift is open to interpretation. Etiquette experts agree that guests should gift the happy couple something to commemorate the big day, but there's no set rule around what said present has to be.

"A wedding guest should always give what they feel best celebrates the occasion, taking into account their budget as well as their closeness with the couple," explains wedding expert Sara Margulis.

Before you decide to give the newlyweds a random amount of money—or purchase an arbitrary item—it is important to be aware of the average (and recommended) amount a guest should consider spending on a wedding gift.