Your ultimate guide to wedding gift etiquette

It's that time of year again where our inboxes and mailboxes are full of beautifully designed wedding invitations, we're scouring the web for the perfect outfit and excitedly researching accommodation and travel.

Being invited to a wedding is a gift and it is tradition to provide a gift to the happy couple. But, where to begin? Luckily we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert, at online fashion destination SilkFred, who has shared her ultimate guide to wedding gift giving from how much to spend to how to make your gift stand out on the present table.

How much should I spend?
Wedding gifts can often be forgotten about when coming up with a budget for a wedding event. Although there is no universal rule for how much you should spend, Georgie reveals an easy metric to stick to...

"The general rule of thumb is the amount that is being spent on you as a couple for the wedding, show be gifted back. For example, it's likely to be the cost of a 3 course meal. Aim for between £50-£100 per person but remember, the couple wouldn't want you to be putting yourself in financial strain so consider your own finances."

What if the couple hasn’t asked for gifts?
When it comes to buying a wedding gift, it’s often helpful when the couple has created a registry so you can see exactly what they want. However, if the couple hasn’t specified, you may find yourself wondering, ‘do I really need to buy one?’

Georgie recommends: “I say yes. It’s usually a rhetorical ‘your presence is a present enough’ aka ‘we don’t want to sound rude’. If the couple hasn't asked for gifts, I would suggest money in a card with some heartfelt well-wishes.”

Can I buy something NOT on the registry?
So the couple have sent their registry picks - however, you’ve got a killer gift in mind that you know the couple will love. But as Georgie reveals, going off-piste with your wedding gift is never a good idea…

“I would say don’t deviate! There’s a reason there is a registry so stick to it. Only guests exempt from this rule would be the parents and the bridal party and even then, it’s probably best to run your idea past the couple.”

What should I give if I'm not close to the couple?
Many of us will find ourselves at weddings this season where we don't know the couple well enough to get them something super thoughtful and unique to them, which can leave us with a total present-blank.

In times like these, Georgie suggests... "If the couple doesn't have a registry, a voucher for a date night is a great way to give them a special and thoughtful gift without knowing them well. Vouchers for things such as a meal, drinks, or a unique experience are all lovely and something that they will definitely use."

What are some good wedding gift ideas?
Georgie reveals the top wedding gifts she's seen...

"One of the best I've seen was an older couple who didn't need things for the house but felt a bit cheeky asking for money. However, they knew guests would still want to bring something, so they asked everyone to get them a record; an album that they thought the couple would enjoy. To me that was a perfect way to let guests feel thoughtful without breaking the bank!"

Georgie reveals her top, but unexpected, wedding gift tip: "Remember to put your name ONTO the gift – cards and gifts always get separated at weddings so make sure that the couple knows it came from you."