What are your thoughts?
 

Our neighbor's daughter is getting married next month. They are going to the court house for the ceremony, so no invites. But, they are having a reception a few days later. In the invite to the reception, they had a little poem that amounted to they don't want any gifts, but give them money so that they can buy a house. What would you do and how much should we give. They visit rarely in the yard.

I would just give them the amount of cash you would spend on a gift.

If you aren't close with them, I think $25 would be plenty!

I would give them the cash I was planning on spending on a gift.

I dislike that very much. Asking for money! that's like the poem: no mon, no fun, your son
Too bad, how sad, your Dad.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that we don't even know the daughter that well. And, she's having a baby n April, so I'm thinking another invite. BTW, we weren't planning on attending the reception as we don't know anyone except our neighbors.

If they are not close to you, but you are going more to maintain a good relationship with neighbors (parents of the bride) then a small amount of money is appropriate.
I do find the practice of asking for money to be offensive and sometimes I decide to skip the event (depends on the relationship or lack thereof.)

I find it offensive also when people use any occasion (wedding, baby shower, birthday) as a money grab. I would skip it, or maybe buy them a book by Miss Manners. (no, not really).

Unfortunately I fear it is the wave of the future. Along with no thank you notes, because, why should they thank you, you are SUPPOSED to shower goodies on them.

On the positive side, the number of items on their "wish list" is short.

In some ways, I do think asking for cash is tacky. On the other hand, if they have very limited living space, they probably already have enough "things" and nowhere to keep more stuff.

As far as the $ amount you are willing to give them - if any - the other posters suggestions are what I would have suggested.

Some of these invitations sound more like invoices. You don't need to attend the reception, but in order to maintain good neighborly relations I would RSVP that you are unable to attend and enclose a gift card for $25.