A YouGov survey of 1,784 UK adults, carried out in August 2026, found most people would give about £76 to £100 for a close friend or relative, and about £26 to £50 for someone less close. There is no rule: give what you can afford and what the relationship suggests.
Couples increasingly ask for money towards a honeymoon, a house or an experience instead of a gift list. A short, warm line on the invitation or the wedding website is perfectly acceptable, and the YouGov survey found most people are comfortable with it.
Debrett's advice for guests is simple: follow the invitation exactly. If it names you only, you have no plus-one. If children are not named, do not ask. If it says 'and partner' without a name, the invitation expects you to supply it.
For couples, this works best when stated plainly, on the website as well as the invitation, so nobody is surprised at the door.
A feature of UK weddings is the split between day guests, who attend the ceremony and the meal, and evening guests, who join for the party. The average wedding has about 21 evening guests (Bridebook, 2026). Say clearly which you are inviting and when the evening starts, so people can plan travel and sleep.
On a traditional invitation, men typically wear morning dress, a suit, Highland dress or uniform, and women wear a smart dress, often with a hat or fascinator. If the invitation gives no dress code, a lounge suit and a smart dress are safe. Black tie has to be stated.
Do not wear white, cream or ivory, and avoid head-to-toe black unless the invitation asks for it. Check the venue too: a barn in October needs warm layers, and a heeled shoe on a lawn is an adventure.
The traditional order is the father of the bride (or whoever is hosting), the groom, and the best man. Many couples now add the bride, a maid of honour or the parents, and plenty hold the speeches before the meal so everyone relaxes afterwards. Around five minutes each is a good guide, and the YouGov survey found guests prefer them short.
Reply promptly and do not change your answer later, as Debrett's puts it. Couples commonly set a reply date three to four weeks before the wedding so the caterer has numbers.
Tipping is optional in the UK, and suppliers price on that basis. If you do tip, a few pounds to each member of waiting staff or a gesture to a band is typical, and no tip is expected for photographers. For confetti, ask the venue first: many allow only biodegradable petals, churches usually only outdoors, and registry offices are often stricter.
MarryHQ's guest page tracks replies, dietary needs and plus-ones, and a public wedding site shares the dress code, directions and timings so guests do not have to ask.
Tasks, guests, budget, and suppliers in one place, free to start.