How much should you splash out on that all-important wedding gift

With wedding season kicking off, many guests will be scratching their heads over the same dilemma - how much should I spend on a gift and is it okay to give cash?

Research from personal loan provider Hitachi Personal Finance has revealed just how much some people expect to spend on a wedding gift or to receive and whether a present is better than cash or vouchers.

Overall, the poll of more than 1,000 UK adults revealed that the average spend was £44 compared to a modest £30 expected by the happy couple. The over 65s proved to be the most generous, with 9% saying they'd splash out more than £100, compared to the 18 to 24 age group, where the majority (32%) said they'd only be prepared to part with £20 or less.

It's good news for cash-strapped wedding guests though, as almost a quarter (24%) of newlyweds-to-be said they didn't expect anything at all. So, is it okay to give cash rather than choosing a personal gift?

Two thirds (66%) of those surveyed said they'd prefer to give an actual present, mainly because they wanted to give something personal, although one in five of those were in favour because they felt it was not only nicer but a cheaper option too. On the flip side, one in ten millennials admitted to giving cash or vouchers to show how generous they were.

Regionally, the Northern Irish proved to be the most generous while those in the South West were the most cost-conscious.