I can't see any way to communicate a dollar value to them without it being tacky. If I was the bride or groom I would be offended... even if you were my mother! I would want to take care of it because it was made with love, not because it was worth high dollars. Just TELL them how to take care of it, or tell them you will wash it for them when it needs it, if you are that concerned they will ruin it. I machine wash and dry my quilts. How wrong could they go?