How Much Money Should You Spend on a Bridal Shower Gift?

With wedding season in full swing, you may have a close friend or family member getting married soon. Which means the bridal shower is even sooner! Another wedding ritual centered around gift-giving.

While getting dolled up and attending a bridal shower for your best friend, niece, or cousin is definitely a time to have fun, finding the perfect gift requires is the work beforehand. There is some etiquette to consider. Keep reading to find out how much you should budget for a gift and quick tips for bridal shower guest etiquette.

We'll cover:

• Basic bridal shower gift etiquette
• Bridal shower gift vs. wedding gift
• How much you should spend on a bridal shower gift
• Is cash an appropriate bridal shower gift?

Bridal shower gift etiquette

First, if you're invited to a bridal shower, do you have to come with a gift? If you're attending a bridal shower, definitely plan on bringing a gift to congratulate the bride. Showing up empty-handed is considered a faux pas — it's just good bridal shower etiquette!

It's important to note that a gift is still required even if you're a part of a wedding or bridal party. You shouldn't bring a bridal shower gift only if the guest of honor has explicitly requested "no gifts." Also, remember that your bridal shower gift is separate from your wedding day gift.

But, what if you're invited to a bridal shower you cannot attend? This is where gift-giving options differ. It's customary to send a gift, even if you're not physically going to be there. However, there isn't a strict obligation — consider sending a handwritten card sharing your excitement for the bride-to-be.

Bridal shower gift vs. wedding gift

There's a common misconception between bridal shower gifts and wedding gifts. Some believe that if you buy a gift for the bridal shower, you aren't required to buy one for the wedding. However, this isn't true — there is no connection between the bridal shower gift and the wedding present. If you purchase a bridal shower gift, you should still buy a wedding gift.

When it comes to spending money on bridal showers and wedding gifts, it all comes down to how well you know the couple and your budget. If you want to dive deeper into wedding etiquette, there's a 20-20-60 rule you can follow.

You can start by setting an overall gift budget for the entirety of the wedding events — let's use $200 as an example. 60% of the budget ($120) will be reserved for the wedding gift — some cash for their honeymoon fund, a set of comfy linens, etc. Then, 20% ($40) is used for the engagement party, and the other 20% ($40) is for the bridal shower.

If you’re attending multiple events for the happy couple, consider planning your gifts together rather than one at a time. Many guests choose a theme—such as travel, home entertaining, or date nights—and carry it through engagement, shower, and wedding gifts. This can help you stay within budget while giving gifts that feel thoughtful and connected.

Suppose you're only attending one pre-wedding celebration. Divide that extra 20% between the bridal shower ($50) and the wedding ($130). Wedding gift etiquette comes down to proper math!

How much to spend on a bridal shower gift

Navigating the gift options for the guest of honor can be tricky, but there are a few essential tips to help guide you. First, keep in mind that bridal shower gifts tend to be less costly than wedding gifts. The average you should spend on a bridal shower gift is around $50 to $75. If you're especially close to the bride, you may spend upwards of $100.

But, no matter what, the amount you want to spend is up to you! Since there are no hard-and-fast rules for gift-giving at bridal showers, items can range in price. When shopping for the perfect present, keep your budget in mind.

Also, chances are, you'll be wrapping up a wedding gift soon enough, so be sure to find a balance between the two. You may opt to give a less expensive gift for the bridal shower if you're planning to choose a pricier wedding gift from the couple's registry.

Generally, finding something useful, personal, or meaningful to celebrate the bride's upcoming wedding matters. The bride-to-be will surely appreciate anything you give her.

Is cash an appropriate bridal shower gift?

In short, yes. Gifts are great, but sometimes all a soon-to-be newlywed needs is some cash. A monetary gift is appropriate for a bridal shower — the best amount ranges between $50 and $100. Since cash isn't as personal, you'll want to ensure you're being generous.

To make giving cash easy, ask the bride if she wants to set up a Pool dedicated to her monetary gifts. Sign up at Poolmoney.com — setting up a Pool is easy:

1. Create a Pool and name it (i.e., "Anna's Bridal Shower Gift Fund")
2. Invite the bridal shower guests to the Pool
3. Once the guests have accepted the invitation, they can easily make contributions to the Pool for the bride-to-be.
4. When she's ready to spend the money, she can easily make purchases through the Pool debit card included with her Pool.

Or, you may consider setting up a Pool yourself to collect cash gifts for the bride. Follow the steps above and invite other bridal shower guests interested in giving monetary contributions.

Send cash gifts with Pool

Cash is king, and it's easier than ever to gift it with Pool. Sign up at Poolmoney.com to start a much-appreciated gift fund for the bride-to-be.