The wedding gift is, by tradition, the most common present you give the couple in Romania. In 2026, most guests follow a simple principle: the gift covers the cost of your meal and adds a contribution for the newlyweds. As menus have become more expensive than in previous years, expectations have risen too — hence the question almost everyone who receives an invitation asks.
There is no universal "correct" amount. How much you give depends on how close you are to the couple, the region where the wedding takes place, the type of venue and your own budget. Below are guideline figures for 2026, and for a personalised estimate you can use the gift calculator.
How much to give at a wedding in 2026 — guideline amounts
| Who gives the gift | Guideline amount / person |
|---|---|
| Colleagues and acquaintances | 450 – 650 lei |
| Close friends | 700 – 1,000 lei |
| Close relatives | 900 – 1,400 lei |
| Godparents and close family | 2,000 – 3,200 lei |
Amounts per person, for a guest attending the event. Figures can vary significantly in Bucharest, Cluj or Timișoara.
Note: Real amounts can differ from these estimates — every event is different. The estimates are based on data published for the 2026 season, but give what you can comfortably afford; your presence matters more than the sum.
What matters when calculating the gift
The right amount is not only about generosity, but about a few concrete factors that influence both the couple’s costs and the expectations of the guests:
Your relationship with the couple — the closer you are, the larger the gift; godparents and family give the most significant amounts. The region — weddings in Bucharest, Cluj or Timișoara have more expensive menus, so the gift is usually larger too. The venue and season — a luxury hotel in summer raises costs, while a countryside party in winter lowers them. The number of people — if you attend as a couple or with family, the amount is calculated for everyone present.
How much to give at a wedding in Bucharest, Cluj and other cities
Regional differences are real. In Bucharest and the large cities, where the menu often exceeds 400–500 lei per person, a couple of close friends typically gives between 1,800 and 2,000 lei. In smaller towns and rural areas, where costs are lower, the same relationships translate into amounts 20–30% smaller.
The rule of thumb stays the same everywhere: start from the estimated cost of your meal and add a contribution proportional to your relationship with the couple. The gift calculator applies these regional multipliers automatically.
How much to give if you cannot attend
If you are invited but cannot make it, sending a gift is appreciated. In general, you give around 50–60% of what you would have given had you attended, since the couple no longer has the cost of your meal. Whatever the amount, a warm message matters just as much as the envelope.