Wedding presents...

[~Hestia~]

I don't think it's rude to give a gift instead of cash, but possibly frustrating for the couple. Couples who ask for cash are probably getting something in particular with the money. I DO think it's rude for the couple to expect a certain amount, in your case $150 per head. You probably wouldn't spend $600 on a bought wedding present.
What I spend/give as cash depends on my relationtionship with the couple. The closer they are the more I'd spend/give.
When DH & I got married we had been living together for years & had doubles of everything, triples of some things!! We didn't need anymore things for the house & didn't want people spending money on stuff that would go to waste. We did need a new washing machine so our invitation said if guests wanted to give a gift, we would appreciate giftcards from XXXXXX store. I had no expectations whatsoever as to amounts or even if people would just choose not to give instead. The amounts we received ranged from $30 to $300 & we were able to buy exactly what we needed/wanted. A few people gave presents instead of giftcards & unfortunately we haven't used these household items once. I'm not annoyed they didn't give what we asked for, more regretful that it's being wasted.