[FunkOdyssey]

As I was researching wedding gift etiquette, I came across something interesting. According to data collected by Tendr, a service used to securely send cash gifts, Connecticut residents give more generously at weddings than any other state. CT cash gifts averaged $229, while the nationwide average was only $120. Not bad for a state in an apocalyptic death spiral facing imminent economic collapse, right?

Source: How Much Should You Give at Weddings? A... -

[NewJeffCT]

wow - that's a lot higher than anywhere else. NY, NJ and RI and close. Why is Mass so cheap in comparison, though?

[HumpDay]

Wow Utah is cheap. I wonder if it has to do with its Mormon influence.

Am I the only one who thinks that it's odd that Mississippi (which is named the poorest state) to be almost the same as the most expensive states like New Jersey and New York.

[ads94]

Could have fooled me. My buddy's wedding in February only had 10 or so people give something. I was the only person who actually got a tangible gift instead of just money.

[FunkOdyssey]

Originally Posted by HumpDay

Wow Utah is cheap. I wonder if it has to do with its Mormon influence.

Am I the only one who thinks that it's odd that Mississippi which is named the poorest state is almost the same as the most expensive states like New Jersey and New York.

Yeah I noticed that both Mississippi and Alabama seemed to be punching well above their weight. I'm wondering if its a cultural thing to give relatively large sums down there?

[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by FunkOdyssey

Yeah I noticed that both Mississippi and Alabama seemed to be punching well above their weight. I'm wondering if its a cultural thing to give relatively large sums down there?

then why are LA, Arkansas and Georgia so low?

[HumpDay]

Originally Posted by FunkOdyssey

Yeah I noticed that both Mississippi and Alabama seemed to be punching well above their weight. I'm wondering if its a cultural thing to give relatively large sums down there?

I think it has to do with the notion that the poor are typically more generous than the wealthy?

[NewJeffCT]

Originally Posted by HumpDay

I think it has to do with the notion that the poor are typically more generous than the wealthy?

Those surveys that come out every year or two that claim poor states give more to charity than wealthy states are inherently inaccurate. The numbers they use are as a percentage of itemized deductions, and people in poor states are far less likely to itemize their deductions than people in wealthy states. So, if 50% of itemized filers in Arkansas give to charity, it's still a far lower number than if 40% of CT itemized filers give to charity, since the number of CT residents that itemize on their IRS returns is around double the percentage of Arkansas itemizers.

Plus, wealthier states also likely have more & wealthier businesses that give to charitable causes as well.

[Mr_250]

Typically a person/couple is supposed to pay for their plate. Our wedding cost about $120pp so $229 is about right. I have been to 4 weddings since April 1st and me and my wife always do $300.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by HumpDay

Wow Utah is cheap. I wonder if it has to do with its Mormon influence.

Yes, it probably is -- at least indirectly. When a couple gets married, they invite practically every family in their ward (i.e. congregation) to their reception, regardless of how well they even know them. And that's on top of everybody else (family and friends from outside the ward). Mormons tend to marry young (early twenties) and many live at home with their parents until they get married. Consequently, they likely still attend the same congregation they were raised in. It's entirely possible that five or six young men and women in a single ward may get married within a six month period. Most people can't afford to give ten or more expensive wedding gifts within a year. If I am invited to a wedding reception and know either the bride or groom or their parents really well, I may spend $50 or so. Otherwise, I spend only about $30 to $40 on a gift. At this point in my life, there aren't a lot of young people of marriageable age in my ward, and I don't really know the ones there are very well.