Quote Originally Posted by indysteel View Post
I would put aside the various emotional issues at play here as a starting place. It's certainly not that I think they're unimportant, but I think they may be obscuring the more important issue: How much can you legitimately and reasonably afford to give her to help with the wedding? I think that's the best number to go with. If that's $500, then give $500.
I agree. I would stay away from an open-gift like a wedding dress. Different people have different ideas about how much a wedding dress will cost. I think $500 is a very generous gift. She's a grown, independent women--I can't believe she expects you to help pay for her wedding.