Irish people divided over reports of €400 average expected as wedding card gift
We are in prime Irish wedding season with Rock The Boat being belted out in every hotel in Ireland from now until September
A debate is raging online over the amount people are expected to put in a wedding card as they attend the nuptials of family and friends this summer.
Wedding gifts is an ongoing debate in Ireland and as most don't prescribe to the American culture of gift registry or the traditional household gift of years gone by, money in a card is the gift of choice here.
Social media personality Alan Clarke reignited the debate on his podcast recently as he spoke about a friend who said he spent €300 on a suit before complaining about having "put €400 in the card."
Alan was shocked that €400 would be the expected, but his friend was adamant that "that's what you put in a card for weddings these days."
Alan's guest suggested €300 for a couple which was "still a fair bit" but they estimated €200 is closer to the average in Ireland. Alan put it out to his followers to put forward what they think is the acceptable rate.
One said: "If you can't put €400 in a card then don't accept the invitation," to which another man said, "if you're expecting people to give you €400 don’t invite anyone."
Another follower wrote: "Getting a wedding invite is like getting an ESB bill," while a third added, "I cater for 50-60 weddings a year, and the low budget, alternative, festival themed weddings are so much better than the long, hotel wedding day. Plus most couples doing the big wedding are broke trying to put on a show for everyone else."