At an Indian wedding the cash gift has a name, shagun, and a small, strict rule that newcomers always get wrong: the amount should end in a 1. £51, £101, $101, ₹501, ₹1,001, ₹5,001, never a round 50, 100, or 500. The extra 1 is the auspicious part, a symbol that the giving continues rather than ends at a round number.
Here's what to give in the UK, US, and India, and why.
The rule of the 1
Round numbers feel final, and a wedding gift is a blessing meant to continue, so Indian guests add a single unit of currency. £51, £101, $101, ₹501, ₹1,001, ₹5,001, always ending in 1. It's a small detail, but it's the one thing older relatives genuinely notice.
If you're giving in pounds or dollars inside a card, pop a £1 coin or $1 bill inside the envelope alongside the notes, or transfer an amount ending in 1 (like £101 or $151) through the couple's online wedding fund.
How much, by relationship
The same rule applies as everywhere: the relationship and your own means matter more than any table. Give what you can give warmly, ending in 1:
| Relationship | UK Shagun (£) | US Shagun ($) | India Shagun (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colleague or acquaintance | £51 – £75 | $51 – $101 | ₹501 – ₹1,100 |
| Good friend or extended cousin | £101 – £151 | $101 – $151 | ₹1,100 – ₹2,100 |
| Close friend or couple attending together | £151 – £201 | $151 – $251 | ₹2,100 – ₹5,100 |
| Immediate family | £251+ or gold | $251+ or gold | ₹11,000+ or gold |
Cash, gifts, or both?
Cash in a decorated envelope is the norm, often paired with a small gift like sweets, dried fruit or a box of mithai. Close family give jewellery or gold. Physical gifts like clothing for the couple or their parents are also welcome, and the couple may have set up a registry or cash fund, in which case use it.
When and how to give
Shagun is usually handed over at the event itself, to the couple, their parents, or at a gift table, during the reception or the sangeet. Put the money in an envelope or a small pouch with a card, and if you can't attend, give it through the family or the couple's fund rather than posting cash.
The many events
An Indian wedding is often a series of events rather than one day: the sangeet or mehndi, the ceremony, the reception. You don't need a gift for each, one gift for the wedding itself is enough. If you're attending several events, the shagun is usually given at the main one, and your presence at the others is the gift.