Thanks for the advice. Just like anything, there is always a range. I went with my gut. We had a great time and it is hard to put a price on friendship. I dont think one would ever regret giving a touch too much. But you might regret the opposite.

Sitting through the ceremony was a nice experience. They go to Greek Orthodox which has some similarities to Catholic ceremonies but even more ceremonyI was raised Catholic but I am not a religious person. However there are times in my life I wish I had the influence of how important it is for the husband and wife to be one. The singular dedication. The church has such great support for the man and wife to be aligned.

We have made it 21 years and we are the happiest we have ever been. It has not always been easy, and took work along the way. The idea that we commit ourselves to sacrifice for the other above all else. Just fantastic to hear. In the world we are living in, 2022, it is amazing to see the wisdom of a 2000 year old religion. It is the illustration that we really are the same people. Even with tech, and all the societal changes around us. As human beings, we are all still guided by the same motivations.

I would say the reason I am so happy in my marriage is I have long given up my notion of self and I put more importance on what I think my wife and family would want. I am lucky enough to have a wife that does the same.

Despite what the progressives want to rewrite the human struggle to be. It all comes down to the man and the woman.

I still have the list of what people gave me for my wedding so i adjust generosity based on that if it went one way or the other to the extreme.

but usually for friend's kids i put a hondo in the card.
for nieces and nephews $150-$200.

Here is where the devil is in the detail. If its a "good" friend....id consider more.
$500 for a colleague or someone you are casually cool with. ($250 a person)
A good friend, id consider $500 to $1000 per person.