What's the Going Rate for a Wedding Gift These Days?

A former coworker who hasn't been to a wedding in years and asked me what the going rate for a wedding gift is. First of all, the couple will be thrilled just to have you in attendance of their big day! They invited you because they want you there, not because they think they will be receiving a thick envelope from you. That being said, I don't believe there is a set amount of money that one must give as a wedding gift, but here are some thoughts on what will help you determine a proper amount:

How close are you to the couple?
If the bride or groom is a close family member or friend, you should pony up a little more than if it is the wedding of a coworker or distant relative that you haven't seen since you were twelve.

Do you need to travel for the wedding?
Traveling is expensive. If you need to fly or drive to another state for the wedding, book a room for a night or two, and endure other travel expenses, you deserve some leeway on the gift. Choose something nice off of the couple's registry and buy a meaningful card, but remember to have the gift shipped to their home so you (or the couple) don't have to bring it along in your travels. Again, the couple will just be happy that you made it to their wedding.

Are you attending solo or with a spouse/guest?
Automatically the amount almost if not doubles if you attend the wedding as a duo. The couple now needs to pay for two meals instead of one. The old rule of thumb is to cover the cost of your plate, and I do still think that is a factor.

What are your thoughts?