I'm a college student (working with a budget) that lives in Florida. A friend of mine is getting married in Illinois. I'm wondering if the cost of traveling to Illinois should have any effect on how much I should spend on her wedding gift. Is it rude to spend a little less considering we're paying for plane tickets too? What is acceptable?

Your plane tickets will be a hefty price but how much did you intend to spend on a wedding gift ? Should you not opt out on the trip and just send a nice gift; promise to see them when you can.

Tick

Gifts are gifts, given from the heart, not out of duty. I think you give what you can afford.

That might be $X if you don't go and $X minus the plane tickets if you do go.

I don't think you owe an explanation and a friend would understand.

Gifts are just that--gifts.

There are several inexpensive options for truly memorable gifts when you are already spending a lot on plane tickets.

You spend what you can afford, and whether you have plane tickets only affects the amount you can afford. You owe no explanation to the wedding couple.

Personally, I go for something personal but inexpensive (and easy to transport!) when I am travelling to a wedding. One of my favorite gifts is to get a wedding momento--like a First Christmas Together Christmas ornament, or a something embroidered with their wedding date and names---something personalized but not expensive.

Of course, hand making gifts is also another option, and can be given with love.

I agree that you should give what you can afford. Even if you can only afford something small. As long as it is given from your heart and with love, the bride and groom will love it.

I doubt they'd be opening presents with a calculator out, tallying up how much each guest spent on them.