Having a sibling doesn’t always mean you’ll have a built-in best friend, but you still probably know them better than anyone else. So, if you’ll be celebrating their wedding, you can pair your monetary gift with a card offering thoughts on where it’d best be spent!
The closer you are to the couple, the more money you should give, but since sibling and family dynamics, more generally, can be all over the map, the range of appropriate monetary gifts for a brother or sister’s wedding is just as diverse. According to U.S. News & World Report, wedding experts advise starting at $100 and then adjusting “up to $500 based on factors such as your relationship with the couple, your budget, and the cost of your attendance at the wedding.”
Our official cash or check suggestion for immediate family members and siblings is $300 to $600, which isn’t too far off from the above recommendation, but the final number really is at your discretion.
You may want to tailor your total, up or down, with these considerations in mind:
Your responsibilities in the wedding party. If you’re actively involved in the couple’s future nuptials, such as accepting the role of Best Man, Maid/Matron of Honor, bridesmaid or groomsman, hosting pre-nuptial celebrations or planning bachelor/bachelorette events, it’s completely understandable to feel like you’ve made a significant financial contribution already. As such, you can adjust the monetary gift as a complement to your time and effort — both invaluable gifts in and of themselves.
Your ranking (birth order, that is) in the family. If you’re a younger sibling, still in school or not yet working, you might not be in a position to offer a large sum of money. And that’s perfectly okay because your older sib should know and understand your circ*mstances. Your presence and love will shine through, regardless of the monetary value, but you can also fete the newlyweds with personal, handmade gifts and the offer to jump in wherever and whenever you’re needed over the course of their engagement.
Your own wedding gift precedent. When you’re gifting a sibling after your own wedding, it’s not uncommon to reciprocate the same amount they gave you. If you have several other siblings in your squad, setting up this ‘Smith Family’ wedding gift benchmark can be helpful for everyone.
Money, but make it even more meaningful
Another way to sweeten your gift is to pool your resources with other siblings. When you combine efforts, you can provide a gift that might be otherwise unattainable!
One such option is to contribute collectively to a designated gift fund, which could go towards the couple’s honeymoon or new home fund. You can choose to make payments either collectively or individually, depending on everyone’s preferences and means.
Additionally, you can consider more specific contributions, such as collectively paying for a particular vendor or wedding professional that the couple may have wanted, but couldn’t afford. For example, if your sibling had their heart set on having a particular photographer, band or DJ, vintage getaway car or next-level guest experience for their reception, and it was beyond their budget, combining resources with your siblings could make this a reality and help create lasting memories that the couple is sure to cherish for a lifetime.
Funding an experience over a material item is wedding gift gold, too. If your sibling loves adventure and new experiences, you could cover the cost of an unforgettable outing on their honeymoon. A hot air balloon ride or an exotic dinner on the beach will earn you that thank you card, and probably come with pics, too!
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