How much should you give as a wedding gift in Canada?
Typical cash amounts by relationship, what changes the number, and how to give gracefully.
6 min read · By the Everest team · Updated October 2026
Most wedding guests in Canada give about $100 to $150 each as a cash gift in 2026, with close friends and family often giving $150 to $300 or more. The right amount depends on how close you are to the couple, your own budget and any cultural expectations, not on what the wedding cost.
- Co-worker or acquaintance: about $50 to $100.
- Friend or relative: about $100 to $200.
- Close family or wedding party: $200 and up.
Who this is for: guests at weddings anywhere in Canada, including Ontario weddings where cash gifts are the norm at many receptions.
How much should you give based on your relationship?
The closer you are, the more people tend to give. The ranges below reflect common guidance from Canadian personal-finance and wedding-etiquette guides; they are approximate, not rules.
| Your relationship | Typical gift per person (approx.) | Typical gift per couple (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Co-worker or acquaintance | $50 to $100 | $100 to $150 |
| Friend | $100 to $150 | $150 to $250 |
| Close friend or cousin | $150 to $250 | $200 to $400 |
| Sibling, parent or wedding party | $200 to $500+ | $300 to $1,000+ |
Some cultures have their own customs, such as giving amounts with lucky numbers or avoiding unlucky ones. If you are unsure, ask a family member of the couple.
Should your gift cover the cost of your plate?
No, you are not obliged to. “Covering your plate” is a popular idea in Ontario, but etiquette experts generally say a gift should reflect your relationship and budget, not the couple’s catering bill.
That said, many guests use it as a rough guide. Ontario reception meals often cost the couple $100 or more per guest, which is part of why $100 to $150 has become a common baseline.
How much should a couple or family give together?
A couple usually gives one gift of about $150 to $300 together. Families with children who are invited often add a little more, but it does not need to double.
How much should you give if you are not attending?
If you decline the invitation, a gift is kind but not required. Many guests send about $50 to $100, or a gift from the registry, with a card.
If you were invited to a destination wedding and attend, your travel cost is already a big gift. A smaller amount, or a thoughtful registry item, is considered fine.
Does wedding gift etiquette differ by culture?
Yes, and in a region as diverse as Ontario, it helps to know the couple’s traditions. Some families expect cash in a decorated envelope, others prefer registry gifts, and some have customs about the amount itself.
- Lucky and unlucky numbers: in some Chinese families, amounts with an 8 are seen as lucky and amounts with a 4 are avoided.
- An extra dollar: in many South Asian families, guests add one dollar, for example $101 or $151, as a blessing for the future.
- Money dances and envelopes: some Italian, Polish, Filipino and other traditions include an envelope or money dance at the reception.
If you are not sure, ask a relative of the couple quietly. People are usually glad you asked.
What is the best way to give cash at a wedding?
Put cash or a cheque in a sealed card with your name written clearly, and drop it in the card box at the reception. An e-transfer is now common too, especially if the couple shares an email for gifts.
- Sign the card. Write your full names so the couple can thank you.
- Make cheques simple. Write them to one partner’s current legal name, since name changes can complicate deposits.
- Seal it. Use the card box, not a table or a pocket of a wedding party member.
- Give on time. Bring it to the wedding or send it within a few weeks after.
Quick answers
Is $100 a good wedding gift in Canada?
Yes. $100 per person is a common and respectable wedding gift in Canada in 2026, especially from a friend, co-worker or more distant relative.
Is $200 enough for a wedding gift from a couple?
For most friends and relatives, $200 from a couple is a generous, normal gift. Close family or wedding party members often give more.
Do you give cash at a Canadian wedding?
Cash is one of the most common wedding gifts in Canada, particularly in Ontario. Registry gifts are also fine; follow what the couple has asked for.
How much should a bridesmaid or groomsman give?
There is no set amount, because wedding party members already spend on attire and parties. Many give a smaller cash gift or a meaningful personal gift.
Can you give a wedding gift after the wedding?
Yes. Sending a gift within a few weeks after the wedding is fine, and a later gift with a warm note is still appreciated.
Planning in Chatham-Kent?
If you are the couple, a clear card box and a small gift table make it easy for guests. Everest’s coordinator helps plan those details with you.
