Wedding Gift Guide for Guests
Ten Tips for Wedding Gift Etiquette
Choosing the right wedding gift for your newlywed friends or family can sometimes be a difficult task. You want your gift to be memorable, useful and a reflection of your feelings for the bride and groom.
Here are ten common wedding gift questions and answers that will surely help you choose a great gift for the new couple in your life.
- What is a good wedding gift?
A good wedding gift is one that is from the heart, is useful and will be remembered by the couple for years to come. The bride and groom's wedding gift registry will offer ideas and may inspire unique wedding gift ideas of your own.
- Do I have to buy a gift from the wedding registry?
- How much should I spend?
- Is it appropriate to give money?
- Is it appropriate to give a gift certificate?
- Is it acceptable to buy a large group gift with friends?
- When do I give the gift?
- How do I send a gift?
- How do I know that the couple got my gift?
- What happens if I don't receive a thank-you note?
No, you can give a gift not on the registry if you choose to. The wedding registry is simply an easy way for guests to shop; it is for your gift-giving convenience entirely, and you should not feel limited to it.
Spend what you are able to spend. Your budget and your feelings for the newlyweds are a great way to gauge your gift cost.
Wedding gifts of money are a tradition in some cultures, but not everyone is entirely comfortable gifting money. If you choose to give money, present it as a cheque payable to both the bride and groom on the day of the wedding.
Gift certificates to the location where the bride and groom have their wedding registry are appropriate. If you know the bride and groom well, a gift certificate to their favorite shop will do nicely.
This is entirely acceptable, and a great way to buy a substantial gift without blowing the budget. Coordinate with friends on a large item from the wedding registry or decide with friends close to the couple if a large appliance or expensive artwork is something the couple would appreciate or need.
You can send your gift before the wedding to the bride's address, or bring your gift to the wedding if it's convenient. You can send your gift to the couple no later than two months after the wedding date, but it is more appropriate not to wait.
Most registry places will mail your gift for you if you order by telephone or online. If you mail a gift package yourself, be sure to insure the contents in case they are lost or damaged, and pay the correct postage to ensure its arrival.
Gift giving guests should receive prompt thank-you cards from the bride and groom. But thank-you cards can arrive anywhere from 2 weeks to 2-3 months after the wedding. Don't be surprised or offended if thank-you's come slightly late.
If you do not receive a thank-you note, it is all right to call the couple to make sure they received your gift. If the store you ordered it from sent it for you, make sure your instructions were followed and that they can track your gift. Often, newlywed couples are away on honeymoons or worn out from the months of planning their wedding, but thank-you notes should arrive within 2- 3 months of the wedding.
