Wedding season often brings joy — along with steady stream of invitations. Between bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and the big day itself, costs can stack up quickly. If you're wondering how much you should spend on a bridal shower gift, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. But this guide has some tips to help you choose an appropriate budget.
Very often, your gift amount depends on your relationship with the bride, your current financial situation — and when your next paycheck hits. Tools like Tip Yourself1 can help you save gradually, while Cash Out2 — which allows you to get up to $150/day, with a max of $750 between paydays — offers timing flexibility by giving you access to wages you've already earned.
How much should you really spend on a bridal shower gift?
There's no single "correct" amount for a bridal shower gift. What matters most is choosing something thoughtful that fits comfortably within your budget.
Gift-giving guidelines vary widely based on your relationship and circumstances. Close family members and best friends often spend more, while coworkers or casual acquaintances typically give smaller gifts. The key is finding what feels genuine for your connection — not what social media or comparison culture suggests.
Your gift should reflect two things: your relationship with the bride and your financial reality. A heartfelt $25 gift from someone on a tight budget can mean just as much as a $150 registry item from someone with more financial flexibility. Focus on what works for your paycheck, not what others might expect.
What can affect how much you spend?
Several factors can shape your bridal shower gift budget. Understanding these can help you make a decision that feels right for both your relationship — and your wallet. These include:
Your connection to the bride
Your relationship naturally influences your gift amount. Immediate family members and best friends since childhood often spend between $75 and $150, reflecting the closeness of the bond. Work colleagues or newer friends typically contribute $25 to $75 — still meaningful, but scaled to match the relationship. Of course, these ranges aren't rules. They're starting points you can adjust based on your financial situation.
The type of shower
The event style can guide your gift choice. A casual backyard brunch might call for a simple registry item or thoughtful card with a smaller gift. A formal tea party or themed celebration at an upscale venue might inspire slightly higher spending — but only if your budget allows. Group showers where multiple people contribute to one larger gift take pressure off of individual spending.
Your budget and paycheck rhythm
Your financial flow matters most. If rent just came out and your next paycheck is days away, a smaller, thoughtful gift can make sense. When you have more breathing room in your budget, you might choose to spend more. The timing between paychecks affects everyone differently — be realistic about what works for your situation at the moment.
What you can give at different price points
Finding the right gift means matching your budget with something meaningful. Here's what different price ranges typically cover.
Under $40 — Small but heartfelt
This range offers plenty of thoughtful options. Consider personalized stationery, quality candles, a custom recipe collection, or a keepsake box. Kitchen gadgets, picture frames, or cozy throw blankets also work well. Many registry items fall within this range — think measuring cups, dish towels, or serving platters. These gifts show care without stretching your finances.
$40–$100 — Thoughtful midrange picks
This bracket opens up more registry possibilities. Quality cookware, home décor pieces, or bathroom accessories can make good choices. Consider small appliances like hand mixers, coffee grinders, or waffle makers. Luxe bedding basics, organizational systems, or entertaining essentials an also be a good fit. This range works well for close friends, when your budget allows.
$100+ — Family or group gifts
Higher-priced items often work best as group contributions. Team up with others to purchase premium appliances, complete bedding sets, or luggage. Stand mixers, high-end blenders, or quality knife sets become affordable when split among several people. This approach lets you give something substantial without shouldering the entire cost alone.
Celebrate on your schedule — not your payday
If you can't wait until your next paycheck arrives, you have options. If the shower falls between pay periods, EarnIn's Cash Out2 service can help you access wages you've already earned — with no interest or mandatory fees. Get up to $150/day (max $750 per pay period) from your earned pay. Just tip3 what you think is fair.
Standard transfers typically take 1–3 business days. Need money faster? Choose Lightning Speed4 to get cash in minutes — even on weekends or holidays — for a small fee (starting at $3.99).
How to plan your bridal shower budget with confidence
A simple framework can help you decide without the stress. Here's a practical approach:
Step | Action | Why it helps |
Check your discretionary income | Calculate money left after bills and savings | Illustrates your true spending power |
Consider your relationship with the bride | Rate closeness on a scale of 1-3 | Guides appropriate amount |
Review your emergency fund | Ensure 3+ months expenses remain | Can help protect financial stability |
Set a comfortable limit | Choose an amount that won't cause stress | Helps keep you financially secure |
Look for group gift options | Ask about splitting larger items | Reduces an individual's cost burden |
This process only takes minutes to consider but prevents overspending regrets. For deeper budget planning, check out this article on mastering the 50/30/20 rule and EarnIn's Financial calculators5 to understand how much you can allocate for gifts based on your location and paycheck.
Buy a gift that celebrates the bride — and fits your paycheck
The perfect bridal shower gift amount is whatever feels genuine, comfortable, and true to your means. Whether you spend $25 or $125, what matters is choosing something thoughtful within your budget. Focus on celebrating the upcoming marriage in a way that works for your financial situation.
Remember, wedding season doesn't have to derail your finances. Smart planning and the right tools can help you show up for the people you care about without a lot of financial stress. Consider setting aside small amounts each month for upcoming celebrations, or use payment flexibility (like with EarnIn) when timing doesn't align with your paycheck schedule.
Whether you're celebrating your best friend before her big day or showing up for a coworker's bridal brunch, EarnIn's tools can help you manage the moment comfortably — without stretching your budget or disrupting your plans. With Cash Out2, you can access wages you've already earned, so you can give from the heart and stay on track with your pay rhythm.
FAQs
How much do you typically spend on a bridal shower gift?
Most people spend between $50 and $75, depending on their relationship to the bride and budget. Close friends and family often spend $75-$150, while coworkers typically give $25-$75.
Is it okay to give cash instead of a bridal shower gift?
Yes, cash or gift cards are perfectly acceptable, especially if the bride hasn't created a registry. Include a thoughtful card explaining your well wishes.
How much should you spend on a bridal shower gift if you're also attending the wedding?
Consider splitting your total gift budget between both events — perhaps 30% for the shower and 70% for the wedding. Alternatively, you could give a smaller shower gift and focus your main contribution on the wedding.
Do you bring a gift if you already contributed to a group present?
No additional gift is necessary if you've contributed to a group gift. Your participation in the group present counts as your contribution to the celebration.
What's a good affordable bridal shower gift idea?
Personalized items under $40 make thoughtful gifts — consider custom stationery, quality candles, picture frames, or kitchen accessories from the registry. Check out financial tips for young adults for more budget-friendly celebration ideas.
Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.
This Blog was sponsored by EarnIn. While the author received compensation, the information shared is grounded in independent research and intended to provide helpful and accurate guidance to readers.
EarnIn is a financial technology company not a bank. Banking Services are provided by Evolve Bank & Trust or Lead Bank, both Member FDIC. The FDIC provides deposit insurance to protect your money in the event of a bank failure. More details about deposit insurance here.
1
Tip Yourself Account funds and Tip Jars are held with Evolve Bank & Trust, member FDIC and FDIC insured up to $250,000. Tip Yourself is a 0% Annual Percentage Yield and $0 monthly fee service deposit account. For more information/details, visit Evolve Bank & Trust Customer Account Terms. The FDIC provides deposit insurance to protect your money in the event of a bank failure. More details about deposit insurance here.2
A pay period is the time between your paychecks, such as weekly, biweekly, or monthly. EarnIn determines your daily and pay period limits (“Daily Max” and “Pay Period Max”) based on your income and financial risk factors as outlined in the Cash Out Maxes section of our Cash Out User Agreement. EarnIn reserves the right to adjust the Daily Max and Pay Period Max at its discretion. Your actual Daily Max will be displayed in your EarnIn account before each Cash Out.EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1–2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed may not be available at all times and/or to all customers. Restrictions and terms apply; see the Lightning Speed Fee Table and Cash Out User Agreement for details and eligibility requirements. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.
3
Tips go to EarnIn and help us provide tools such as Credit Monitoring for free and keep Lightning Speed fees low. Your service quality and availability aren’t affected by whether you tip or not.4
Lightning Speed is an optional service that allows you to expedite the transfer of funds for a fee. Depending on the product, the fee may be charged by EarnIn or its banking partner. Lightning Speed may not be available in all states and/or to all customers. Restrictions and terms apply. See the Lightning Speed Fee Table for details.5
The calculations provided are based on estimates and should be used for informational purposes only. Please be aware that comparisons may not be 100% accurate. The insights and data presented do not constitute financial advice, and we recommend consulting with a qualified financial advisor for personalized guidance.
