How much to give as a wedding gift in 2026? Amounts depending on how close you are
At Czech weddings, close friends usually give 3,000 to 6,000 CZK and friends or colleagues 2,000 to 3,500 CZK. Where these amounts come from, when to give more, when less is fine and how to hand the gift over without it being awkward.
Číst česky →An envelope is the most common wedding gift today, and the question nobody wants to ask out loud is how much to put in it. So we'll ask for you. The figures below are for weddings in Czechia; if you've been invited to one from abroad, this is your guide.
In short (2026)
| How close you are to the couple | Usual amount |
|---|---|
| Close friend | 3,000 – 6,000 CZK (about €120 – 245) |
| Friend, or a colleague you also see outside work | 2,000 – 3,500 CZK (about €80 – 145) |
| Witness, closest family | more than friends, often combined with a bigger present |
| Ceremony only (no reception) | a small present or a card, no envelope needed |
Range for friends and colleagues according to Energožrouti (2026, in Czech). Euro amounts are rounded, at about 24.3 CZK to the euro (September 2026).
The plate rule: at least what you eat and drink
The rule you hear most often says the gift should cover at least what you "cost" the couple at the wedding. How much is that? Food and drink at a Czech wedding now comes to roughly 2,000 CZK per guest or more (more in How much does a wedding cost in 2027?).
Treat it as a rough lower limit, not a bill. Nobody will invoice you for your plate, and the couple who invited you want you there, not your envelope.
When to give more
- You're a witness or a bridesmaid. It's expected to give more, and the witnesses often club together for one bigger present.
- You're coming as a couple. Usually you give one envelope for both of you, but not double. Around one and a half times the single amount is sensible.
- The couple gave you a lot at your own wedding. Returning a similar amount is the polite thing to do, if your finances allow.
- The wedding is far away and the couple are paying for your accommodation. That's generosity worth giving back.
When it's fine to give less
- You're travelling a long way or paying for accommodation and transport. Just being there costs you a good deal already.
- You're a student or money is tight right now. A smaller amount with a lovely card is better than debt. The couple will understand.
- You're only going to the ceremony. A card and something small, flowers or a bottle of wine, is enough.
Tip
If you're not sure, ask one of the witnesses or someone in the couple's family. It's a perfectly normal question and saves you the dilemma.
Money or a present?
Money is the most common gift today, and couples usually appreciate it most: weddings are expensive and many couples already have a fully furnished home. If they've put together a wish list, though, stick to it. That's why they made it: so they don't end up with three identical toasters.
A nice compromise is a contribution to something specific: "dinner on the honeymoon", "a bike", "your first holiday together". Add a short note on how they should enjoy it.
How to give the gift
- An envelope with a card, not bare banknotes. Write who it's from; the couple will get dozens.
- Don't hand it over at the ceremony. There's usually a box or a chest for cards at the reception; if not, give it to one of the witnesses.
- A bank transfer is completely fine these days, especially if the couple share a payment QR code (very common in Czechia). Put your name in the payment message.
For the couple
If you give guests a payment QR code, add a short thank-you and ask them to put their name in the message. Otherwise you'll spend the week after the wedding working out who sent "gift 3000". In only.wedding you can add a QR payment straight to your guests' page.
Summary
There's no "right" amount, only a sensible one. For a close friend 3,000 to 6,000 CZK, for a friend or colleague 2,000 to 3,500 CZK, and more if you have a role at the wedding or are very close to the couple. Most of all, write a few honest lines with it. The couple will keep those long after the money is spent.