diff --git a/src/routes/participant.py b/src/routes/participant.py
index 4dd0a3b..7fa5d80 100644
--- a/src/routes/participant.py
+++ b/src/routes/participant.py
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ def register(slug: str):
                 magic_link_url=magic_link_url,
                 exchange_name=exchange.name,
                 exchange_description=exchange.description,
-                budget_amount=float(exchange.budget.replace("$", "")),
+                budget=exchange.budget,
                 gift_exchange_date=exchange.exchange_date.strftime("%Y-%m-%d"),
             )
         except Exception as e:
diff --git a/src/services/email.py b/src/services/email.py
index 570bfd5..d89ff50 100644
--- a/src/services/email.py
+++ b/src/services/email.py
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class EmailService:
         magic_link_url: str,
         exchange_name: str,
         exchange_description: str | None,
-        budget_amount: float,
+        budget: str,
         gift_exchange_date: str,
     ) -> Any:
         """Send registration confirmation email with magic link.
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ class EmailService:
             magic_link_url: Full URL with magic token
             exchange_name: Name of the exchange
             exchange_description: Description of the exchange (optional)
-            budget_amount: Budget amount
+            budget: Budget description (e.g., "$25-50")
             gift_exchange_date: Date of gift exchange
 
         Returns:
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ class EmailService:
                 {description_html}
                 <h3>Exchange Details</h3>
                 <ul>
-                    <li><strong>Budget:</strong> ${budget_amount:.0f}</li>
+                    <li><strong>Budget:</strong> {budget}</li>
                     <li><strong>Gift Exchange Date:</strong> {gift_exchange_date}</li>
                 </ul>
                 <h3>Access Your Dashboard</h3>
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_email_service.py b/tests/unit/test_email_service.py
index 8178d37..7c0d263 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_email_service.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_email_service.py
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ class TestEmailService:
                     magic_link_url="https://example.com/magic/abc123",
                     exchange_name="Secret Santa 2025",
                     exchange_description="Annual office Secret Santa",
-                    budget_amount=50,
+                    budget="$25-50",
                     gift_exchange_date="2025-12-20",
                 )
 
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ class TestEmailService:
                 assert "John Doe" in call_args["html_body"]
                 assert "https://example.com/magic/abc123" in call_args["html_body"]
                 assert "Annual office Secret Santa" in call_args["html_body"]
-                assert "$50" in call_args["html_body"]
+                assert "$25-50" in call_args["html_body"]
                 assert "2025-12-20" in call_args["html_body"]
 
     def test_dev_mode_logs_magic_link_url(self, app, caplog):