• After attending dozens of ceremonies, I no longer give wedding gifts based on "covering my plate." • Instead, I look for registry items on sale or ask other attendees to go in on a bigger gift with me. • Sometimes, I give gifts months later or pick an amount based on how close I am to the couple.

When my best friend from college accidentally told me that she was paying $450 a head for her fancy wedding, I panicked.

Like many, I had been operating under the old-school "cover your plate" mentality when attending weddings, meaning the gift I gave should be enough to offset the cost of my meal.

However, I couldn't even afford to give her half that amount as a wedding gift. I was in my mid-20s and barely earning enough to pay my bills.

That year alone, I had six other weddings to atte

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