What’s going rate for a wedding present cash gift? For a guy I used to work with, who I like. They’re not registered anywhere, so I’m just going with $. I think it’s a medium on the fancy-schmancy scale. Wedding’s at a Metro Park, but the reception is some place decent.
Yeah. I need this info also. I have a co-worker’s wedding at the end of this month. Folks are saying $200-$300.
Really, that much? I would think more around $100 to $150.
Wow…I’ve never given a cash wedding gift of more than $50.
I think it’s very region- and job-specific. It’s going to be a lot more in NYC than Peoria, just as it’ll be a lot more if you work together on Wall Street than McDonald’s. 
In this area, people are cheap, and so are the weddings. My coworker’s commitment ceremony yesterday, for instance, featured decorations and plastic plates and flatware from the Dollar Store, so I had no problem with the $25 gift I gave. My cousin’s wedding in New Jersey, OTOH, cost more than the average downpayment on a house, so $100 twenty years ago (which is what, like $1000 now? :p) was more appropriate.
So, bottom line, YMMV. Not that that’s helpful in any way. :o
I agree but I think it is also person specific. Being that it is a gift (not a fee), I think that you should give what you are comfortable with. A $300 gift to one person could be nothing, while a $50 gift could be another persons groceries for the week. IMO the $50 gift should mean more to me (emotionally) than the $300 one. The idea of a “going rate” or that a gift has anything to do with the type or place of the wedding is not cool. Whatever your first instinct was is probably right on. Also if there is a thoughtful way to help someone get started out is also a great gift. Doing something for someone that they can’t do for themselves is priceless. 
That seems high. Maybe if you roll in some upscale circles or if it wasn’t a really tough time economically. You’re also a real grown up (both Talos and Ferris) and I’m a fake grownup, but I’ve never given over $100. I would say that’s sufficient, especially for a former coworker who is a friend but not super close.
Regardless of region or job specifics, the amount of any cash gift given should be guided by how close you are to the bride and groom and by your budget. You shouldn’t feel it’s expected of you to give something you can’t afford just because everyone else is giving certain amounts.
ETA: Read Emily Post’s Etiquette page on Wedding Gift Tips:
http://www.emilypost.com/weddings/wedding-registries-gifts-and-thank-yous/169-wedding-gift-tips
Having attended two weddings in the past two weeks, and having given gifts at both of them - it depends. I’m with Lucas that 200-300 seems exorbitant to me (the only people who spend that much $$$ on me are my parents…), I never give money, but in terms of what I spend on wedding gifts for the 20-30 year old set, it’s usually between 20 and 50, depending on how well I know the couple, how good my finances are, and what kind of gift I think would be meaningful.
The other way around, when I got married, I don’t think that anyone that wasn’t wealthier close family spent more than $50 on us, either.
I’d also reiterate: this is a GIFT. Give as you feel moved, and are able.