Wedding Gift Etiquette

June 6, 2006

Before I launch into this topic, let me just say that nothing is required when it comes to buying a wedding gift.  Some people are on very tight budgets and they just can’t afford to buy a large wedding gift.  That being said, it is a nice gesture to at least purchase a card for the couple and provide them with a wedding gift that is comparable to the amount they spent for your wedding meal.

Again, it is not required for a wedding guest to purchase a gift.  Some guests come from out of town and have to spend a fortune on travel, accommodations, food, etc.  That money begins to add up so they might not have a great deal of money to offer the bride and groom.  However, if guests can afford a small wedding gift to wish them good tidings, then that would be highly appreciated.

Some of our wedding guests didn’t purchase gifts for us.  I felt a little snubbed at the time, but that quickly passed.  I realized how grateful I was to have them participate in our wedding celebration.

Also, you have at least one year to purchase a wedding gift for the couple.  I’m actually sending a gift off today for a wedding I attended a few months ago.  They’re close friends of the family, so I’m sure that they weren’t put off by not receiving the gift by their wedding date.

If the couple registered for gifts, I can tell you that they would love it if you purchased wedding gifts from that list.  I was having lunch today with a wedding vendor and we talked about some of the strange wedding gifts people buy when they don’t check the registry.  Some couples may not treasure that gorgeous Ming-like vase you bought them from your local antique store.  They might prefer candlestick holders from Crate & Barrel or anything else on their registry.

Happy Wedding Planning!

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