Should people stop giving money at weddings? 

In a new series about trends for the Journal.ie Emer McLysaght said she is not “on board with the practice of shoving several fifties into a card just because two people invited me to a party”. 

It is something that might raise a few eyebrows among people currently planning their wedding and considering the huge cost of hosting an event for hundreds of people. 

On Lunchtime Live, The Home Show presenter Sinead Ryan said she sympathised with those who questioned the cost of wedding gifts. 

“I haven't been to a wedding in the last 10 years where money wasn't the appreciated gift of those attending,” she said. 

“I've even heard of a wedding - which I wasn't at - where somebody sent the Revolut link to their account with the invitation. 

“So, I think that can sometimes feel very transactional and very materialistic.”

A couple at their wedding. Picture by: Aleksei Gorodenkov / Alamy.

Ms Ryan added that she recalls when people used to have wedding lists to set them up in their new homes. 

Nowadays she said it is “hard to know” exactly how much money a person should give but it seems to be “anywhere from €150 to about €300”. 

“I think it possibly depends on the relationship that you have with the bride or the groom,” she said. 

“If you're immediate family, maybe it would be on the higher side. If you're an acquaintance or you're plus one, maybe on the on the lower side. 

“Essentially, it seemed to be whatever the experience of having you there was costing.

“So your meal and maybe the wine at the meal or whatever is included in the price - it's hard to get away from that feeling that it's kind of a transaction and you're paying for your dinner.”

Main image: A couple cutting their wedding cake. Picture by: Alamy.com.