Best wedding gift for an abroad wedding

Getting invited to a wedding abroad is pretty exciting - whether the couple’s celebrating in their home country with local traditions, or simply wanting to tie the knot somewhere sunny and scenic. But you may have questions about gift-giving, from what’s culturally appropriate to whether it’ll squeeze in your suitcase!

Taking gifts overseas can be tricky due to customs restrictions, limited luggage space and the risk of damage on the way. Ordering online can solve some problems but international shipping fees, import taxes and delivery delays may add extra stress.

So what’s the best gift for a destination wedding? Our money’s on… well, money. It’s practical and often the most appreciated choice. In fact, money is a traditional wedding gift in many cultures with some even using it in marriage rituals!

This guide explores why money works well as a wedding gift, how to give it thoughtfully, and how to send it in the right currency without fees taking a big chunk.

Ready to give your gift now? Send money with Wise in up to 40+ currencies. Enjoy fair exchange rates, low transparent fees* and lightning-quick transfers. Around 70% of Wise transfers arrive in under 20 seconds**.

➡️ Learn more about the Wise account

**Note: Speed data from Q2 2025. Transaction speed claimed depends on individual circumstances and may not be available for all transactions.

Sending money as a gift for a wedding abroad

Money solves many of the challenges that come with international gift-giving, like figuring out logistics, paying customs and shipping fees, and finding an appropriate gift. What’s more, it’s a thoughtful way to help the couple get something they really want, especially given how expensive it can be to pay for an overseas wedding.

Physical gifts vs sending money

Packing a physical gift for a wedding abroad is rarely simple. Even if the item fits in your luggage, there’s a risk of damage in transit. Fragile items like glassware or ceramics are especially vulnerable, and customs inspections can slow deliveries or even result in unexpected charges.

If the couple plans to return to the UK after their wedding, they’ll have to deal with similar challenges in reverse.

Ordering a gift online in the country where the wedding is taking place might seem like the easiest option. But even then, there can be challenges. Websites may be in a foreign language, different currencies and you often have weaker consumer rights when buying online from an overseas seller.

You could buy a gift in the UK and ship it to the wedding. But international shipping is often expensive and many things can cause delivery delays, from bad weather to red tape at customs.

Sending money is often the most convenient way to give a wedding gift for a wedding abroad. Using an international money transfer service like Wise, it can take seconds to tick it off your to-do list.

This lets you focus on booking flights and choosing what to wear. There are a few things to be aware of, including cultural nuances, Inheritance Tax rules, exchange rates and transfer fees. Don’t worry, this guide covers them in detail below.

The wedding gift of choice

Money isn’t just an easy gift for you to send, it’s also incredibly convenient and versatile for the couple receiving it. They can use it for their honeymoon, buy something they truly want or put it towards their destination wedding costs.

Also, they won’t have to worry about getting a physical gift home or exchanging it if it’s not quite right. All in all, giving money as a destination wedding gift is not only practical but genuinely thoughtful.

Respect cultural nuances

In many cultures, giving money as a wedding gift is traditional and sometimes expected.

In Japan, it’s customary to give a cash gift (called shūgi) of 30,000 yen in crisp bills enclosed in a pretty envelope.¹

In Italy, wedding guests often give €150–€300 to the couple, with close friends and family usually giving more.²

Giving money can help prevent cultural missteps. It’s all too easy to accidentally give a gift that’s frowned upon when you’re in an unfamiliar country.

A set of four crystal wine glasses? Unlucky in Japan, as the number four is associated with death. Chef’s knives for the couple that cooks? A bad idea in Italy, where giving knives often symbolises cutting ties.

Money can help you avoid faux pas like these - just make sure to avoid unlucky numbers.

Inheritance tax on monetary wedding gifts

Disclaimer: The information in this section of the article is for reference purposes only and all information on this page should not be considered financial or tax advice. You are also solely responsible for calculating and paying your tax liabilities depending on the applicable law.

If you give money as a gift, it could count towards Inheritance Tax if you pass away within seven years of giving it. But there are tax-free allowances.

You can give up to £3,000 in total each tax year without worrying about Inheritance Tax. On top of that, wedding and civil partnership gifts are tax-free up to:

• £1,000 for anyone
• £2,500 for your grandchild
• £5,000 for your child

You can even combine these allowances. For example, if you only give one gift this year and it’s to friends getting married, you could combine your £1,000 wedding gift allowance with your £3,000 annual allowance, meaning you could give up to £4,000 tax-free. Of course, many couples don’t expect anywhere near that much.³

How to give money for a wedding gift abroad

There are a few things to know about destination wedding gift etiquette when you’re giving money. These tips will help your gift feel thoughtful, personal and respectful.

How much money should you give?

It depends on a few factors, including:

• Your relationship to the couple - If you’re sending money abroad to family or close friends, you might give more than to a colleague for example.
• Whether you’re giving as a couple - Couples typically give more than a guest who’s attending alone.
• Your budget - Travelling to a destination wedding can be expensive so it’s fair to consider this when deciding how much to give. Many couples will be understanding of this.
• Regional customs - Around 100-250 euros is often appropriate when you’re sending euros as a gift for a French, Greek or Spanish wedding.² In Japan, 30,000 yen is standard.¹ In the USA, you’re looking at 50-150 US dollars.⁴ In India, aim for 501– 1,001 Indian rupees (amounts ending in 1 are considered lucky).⁵

A thoughtful wedding card or message

It’s good wedding gift etiquette to write a heartfelt message in a card when you’re gifting money. Your words make the gift special and personal. Wish them happiness in their marriage, thank them for the invitation and mention how excited you are to celebrate with them. You could also share a favourite memory of them and your hopes for their future together.

Digital vs physical: When and how to give the gift

Wondering how to give money as a wedding gift? Bringing cash or a cheque to the wedding is ok but this could easily get lost or stolen when you or the couple are travelling. Sending money digitally is often safer and more convenient for everyone.

There are a few cases where wedding money traditions mean that physical cash is more appropriate. In West Africa, money is sometimes sprinkled on the dance floor to symbolise blessings and prosperity. In Poland, it’s traditional to pin cash to the bride’s dress or on a “money tree”.

If the two people getting married are from different countries, they may not know where they’re settling down yet. In this case, it’s ideal if they have an account that holds different currencies and lets them easily convert their money gifts.

A Wise account lets you set up local account details in 8+ currencies. There’s no transfer fee when you send money from your Wise account to someone else’s Wise account.

➡️ Learn more about the Wise account

Sending a cross-currency wedding gift

Sometimes wedding gifts need to be in a different currency. For example, you might need to send pounds from a UK account to a couple’s US dollars account in America.

But watch out for hidden fees that take a chuck out of your gift. It’s worth shopping around for the cheapest option and comparison research on international transfers shows that on average it’s 4x cheaper to send £250 abroad with Wise.

Why your bank might not be the best option

International bank transfers can be slow, usually taking at least a day and up to 5 days to send money to countries outside the EU. It’s also expensive and some banks charge high fees, which they often hide in a marked-up exchange rate. What’s more, the couple may have to pay fees on their end to receive your money gift.⁶

Give more to the happy couple with Wise

Wise offers the mid-market exchange rate, with low fees* that are shown upfront. This means more of your money goes towards the wedding gift and you’ll get a clear picture of how much the happy couple will receive.

Wise transfers are secure and fast, often taking less than 20 seconds**. It’s easy to track them in the app or online, giving you peace of mind your gift has been received.

**Note: Around 70% of Wise transfers in Q2 2025 arrived in under 20 seconds. Transaction speed claimed depends on individual circumstances and may not be available for all transactions.

How to send money as a wedding gift abroad using Wise

Sending money with Wise is quick, simple and secure. Here’s how to do it:

1. Register with Wise if you haven’t already.
2. Get the couple’s bank details or their Wisetag if they have one. Alternatively, send them a Wise link which lets them add their bank details.
3. Log into Wise and select ‘Send’. Choose or add your recipient using the details they gave you. You’ll need to select their currency, too.
4. Enter how much you want to send. Or tell us exactly how much you’d like your recipient to get after the currency exchange and fees.
5. Schedule the gift for their wedding day if you like. To do this, select the calendar icon next to ‘Continue’.
6. Choose how to pay. If you already have money in your account in your chosen currency you’re good to go! If not, it’s often cheapest to pay from your bank account.
7. Review the details of your transfer. Make sure everything looks right. Add a personal reference or message so the couple knows who the gift is from.
8. Select ‘Continue’ and then ‘Send’. Wise will confirm the transfer via email or in the app when we’ve got your money. You and your recipient will also get a message when the money’s on its way.

How to send a large amount as a destination wedding gift

When you’re sending a large amount of money, it’s important to think about both security and value. Even small differences in exchange rates or percentage-based fees can make a big impact, so picking the right service really matters.

For example, Wise helps you transfer large amounts affordably and safely. You can get lower fees on transfers over £20,000 (or the equivalent in another currency). Every transfer is protected with two-factor authentication and supported by a team of experts. It’s simple to track your transfer through the Wise app or online.

Wise also has a dedicated service for making large payments. Learn more below, email the large transfer team or request a call back.

Send large amounts💰

Remember, you might need to verify your ID when sending a large sum so be sure to have your ID ready.

Before sending a large amount of money as a wedding gift for an overseas wedding, it’s also a good idea to check for any tax implications with a financial professional.

Ready to send your gift? Get started with Wise

When it comes to destination wedding gifts, money is often the most practical, helpful and appreciated option. It helps you avoid logistical problems and cultural mistakes, while also being convenient and flexible for the couple getting married.

Wise lets you send your gift in the right currency, with fair exchange rates and low transparent fees. Get a Wise account for an easy way to make the happy couple even happier.

➡️ Learn more about the Wise account

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Planning a wedding abroad? Set up a payment link for guests

If you’re tying the knot overseas, a Wise payment link lets guests send money quickly and securely. Keep in mind the link is valid for 30 days, so it’s best to set it up close to the wedding date.

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Sources used in this article:

1. Japan Today - wedding gift etiquette in Japan
2. LaLa Wed - wedding money etiquette
3. Gov.uk - UK Inheritance Tax
4. Vogue - wedding gift spending guide
5. The Indian Trunk - gift giving etiquette in India
6. Halifax - fees the couple may have to pay to receive your money

Sources last checked on: 13 Oct 2025