Discussions

a mother preparing her son's wedding invitations she would have the book from her previous other son's wedding and look who gave what as amount of money gift. That is cheap and how many people make invitations from expectation to receive a lot of money. I find more and more invitations the newly wed seem prefer actual money to receive vs presents to receive.  
Should be about celebrating together not guests to pay for your weddings expenses. Go a small wedding if you can't afford it.  
Your marriage isn't last any longer years together if you go for a luxury wedding day.  
My opinion anyway

Too much emphasis is put on money/colors/decorations for weddings. Weddings do cost a lot of money but they can also be scaled down and be a lot more elegant and personal. Thus, making it easier for the guests to give. Some people do think that "Gee, their wedding costs a lot so we better give a good $ amount." Guests should go to weddings to support the bride and groom and enjoy the food and dance and not have to worry about if they are "cheapskates" or not.....

....if you are invited as a friend or family then the money goes to help start their life together, I would give nothing less than $125 these day..IF you can afford I.  
.......if worried about the cost of your dress "first "then go to Value Village....awesome dresses for about $25.00...believe me as I bought a little black dress for that amount...it's about the bride and groom...  
For family, then up the amount...if cant afford there are awesome barn -board frames that you can buy(beautiful) ...or go to Winners as always unique gifts there.  
Best of all, don't stress about it ...give them lots of hugs and well wishes..

Just pay what you are comfortable with. I honestly can't remember who gave how much at my wedding 7 years ago. Most people aren't having a wedding to make money off it, and if they keep tabs, they are pretty petty. Going to weddings is very costly, and you have to remember that there often several weddings and socials that a person goes to each year, so it all adds up fast. I know one summer I had 4 weddings to go to, it cost alot. Socials have gotten out of hand and are almost a competition to see who can make the most. I didn't expect money or gifts from people at my wedding so didn't really care if they gave $5 or $500, I was just happy to have them there.

My rule of thumb:  
 
Travel is at my expense.  
 
Minimum gift should cover Food and Drink and remember.  
Married 5 years ago and priced it all out.  
 
Meals:  
Buffets were $25/plate.  
Seated meals were $40 to $50.  
Drinks:  
If its a nice place the drinks are $5-$8. (so don't seal the envelope until you know if its an open bar)  
 
Be generous!  
If you can't afford it don't worry - just do what you can.

Only invited to reception/dance (no dinner), what gift amount seems reasonable?

Always just given $100. Never too concerned about what my cost was to get there. It's about them not me.

Jellybean said "There is way way to much emphasis placed on money and value of gifts these days. That is not what a wedding is about.   When we got married we had gifts ranging from $20 to $500. We also just had cards with well wishes in them. It did not matter to us, as we did not invite the people we wanted there to be there to give us gifts. We invited people so they could share in our day, and watch us get married.     Give what you can that fits in to your budget. We are also going to a wedding this summer, and we are on a very tight budget right now, so the gift will not be very large. We are attending to support the people in their marriage, not to support them financially. "

If the couple (or the couples' families) are questioning or judging what people bring as gifts, then they are not the kind of people I want to know I figure.  
 
Not sure when weddings became money makers, but I just find there is so much tacky and uncouth about them.  
 
I just had a hard time wading through the etiquette of a cousins' wedding I was invited to this summer. For starters, I would have to take the day off of work or leave early as it is Friday at 6 pm. It is three hours away, so we would have to get a hotel room for the night. On top of this, my children were not invited so I would have to find some place for them for the night. So I declined.  
 
I picked something off of the gift registry (not the cheapest thing, but something I could afford, which is not a lot right now.) It is very difficult to find advice on what you should spend when you are NOT attending a wedding - they still say you should cover the meal. I think that is silly, they will not be OUT anything for my meals.  
 
I don't know, I think if people put more effort into their relationships and the marriage itself and placed less importance on the party there would be a lot less divorces and broken families.

Agree that there is too much pressure for gifts/money for guests. recently saw post from a bride-to-be on fb , posting all the pics of gifts from her bridal shower. maybe I am wrong or very well could have taken it the wrong way, but it seemed pretty brag-y. especially when her comment attached was basically 'look at all my stuff' and no thank you or feeling of appreciation given to guests for the gifts. came across kind of like a spoiled child. meh, just how it seemed that's all.  
in my day you were grateful and humble and I wrote out a personal thank you to everyone, not just for the gifts, but also for the most important part, being with me on my special day!