Best man - should I give more?

Porkpie · 09-09-2009 10:59am #1

I'm doing best man for my mate who's getting married in a few weeks. I know most people will be giving money as gifts and afaik these days the standard amount is 100 euro per guest. Just wondering, seeing as I'm best man, should I give more? I've also heard talk of best men giving an extra present to the groom, would I be expected to do this?

Grateful for any advice as I'm clueless about this aspect of wedding etiquette and couldn't really find any useful info on the net.

Cheers.

Mr Magnolia · 09-09-2009 11:13am

Normally the Groom buys a gift for the bestman/groomsmen, could be a set of cufflinks each or whatever. I've never heard of the best man buying a gift for the groom.

To be honest, if I were Best Man to a friends wedding I would give more than 100 euro but it's all about what you can afford. Your relationship with the groom will also come into the figure though I imagine you are fairly close having being asked in the first place. I can't tell you what you should give as I don't know your circumstances.

Porkpie · 09-09-2009 1:42pm

Cheers for the info, Mr Magnolia. He's a good mate of mine and I'm chuffed that he asked me to be best man. I'm not exactly loaded at the moment but at the same time I wouldn't want to come across as stingey. I would have no problem stretching it to 150 or 200 if that's what's expected. I was just wondering does the best man ususally contribute more. Out of curiosity, how much would you give?

Mr Magnolia · 09-09-2009 2:07pm

It would depend on my circumstances at any given time. I wouldn't like to venture an estimate tbh. I don't know what's expected in general, I doubt there is an accepted norm, it would vary from case to case. 150/200 does sound like a lovely gift, but who am I to say.

Have you asked them if they have anything in mind as regards a possible gift? If they don't then I'd imagine they'll be happy with the cash gift. Don't worry about it too much, you've a speech to write!

beertons · 09-09-2009 3:00pm

Hey man. Are you bringing a partner? Best man/good friend, probably give €200. If you've a partner with you, add €50. Just think of it like this, if it was your wedding and roles were reversed, how much woud you like to get off your mate? Hope this helps.

shapez · 09-09-2009 3:15pm

As I always kept in my mind planning our wedding. "Those who matter don't mind, those who mind don't matter"

I expected nothing from my best man. I know him 14 years and all I wanted from him was to be there with me on the day. That what matters most, not the money or the presents.

Porkpie · 09-09-2009 3:16pm

Have you asked them if they have anything in mind as regards a possible gift?

No, they didn't mention anything. I think they'd be happier with a cash gift.

Are you bringing a partner? Best man/good friend, probably give €200.

Not bringing a partner, will just be by myself. 200 sounds about right so, I'll run with this.

Best man - should I give more?

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