Wedding Gift Etiquette: Here’s everything you need to know
Wedding season is upon us, and it’s a good time for a refresher on wedding gift etiquette. You want to celebrate and support the couple by following the “rules” of gift giving. By purchasing a thoughtful and appropriate gift, you show your love for the bride and groom and enhance their wedding experience.
Timing and RSVPs
First things first – if you haven’t responded to the wedding invitation, do that first before figuring out the gift. A prompt wedding response is important! The typical timeline for sending a wedding gift is between when you receive the invitation and three months after the wedding. Ensure that you respect the couple’s registry or gift preferences. For example, some couples request specific gifts or money towards honeymoon excursions.
Gift Selection
If the couple hasn’t listed specific gift details, consider the couple's lifestyle, interests, and needs as you choose a gift. You want to give them something useful that they’ll use. It’s also important to choose a gift that reflects the couple’s taste and preferences and not yours. Another option is to choose monetary gifts. Many like the ease of bringing a card with cash or gift cards to the wedding. As more wait until later in life to marry, many couples already have well-stocked homes and might prefer monetary gifts.
Registry Etiquette
Wedding registries are helpful for wedding guests because it makes it easy to see what the couple wants and needs. Online shopping also makes it easy to purchase and send gifts as well. It’s appropriate wedding etiquette to respect the couple’s registry choices and not veer too far away from it. However, if you feel that you’re close to the couple and have a gift in mind that you know they’ll adore, then go for it. Make sure it’s a thoughtful and appropriate wedding gift.
Gift Presentation and Delivery
Shipping gifts directly to the couple before the wedding is the easiest option for the new couple. That way they’re not transporting gifts at the end of the night. If you’re bringing cash that you’d rather not mail, then you can bring a card to the wedding. Whether you ship a gift prior to the big day or bring a card to the wedding, include a card that expresses your well-wishes for the bride and groom. It’s proper etiquette for the couple to keep tracks of all the wedding gifts so they can send out thank you notes later.
Group Gifts and Wedding Showers
Another gift idea is to gather some friends or family members together to purchase a larger gift on their registry. It’s definitely something to consider! This group gift also works well with bridal showers and other wedding celebrations leading up to the celebratory day that require gifts.
Destination Weddings and Travel Considerations
More couples are selecting destination weddings these days, but this makes gift giving a little trickier. For destination weddings, have your gift delivered before the wedding. Don’t cut it too close so that it’s delivered while you’re all attending the wedding. It’s also acceptable if you want to bring a card with cash, a gift card or a gift certificate to the destination wedding. Another gift idea could include excursions or experiences rather than tangible gifts.
Wrapping Things Up
Wedding gift etiquette is a thing, and it’s important to know the “rules” so you can follow them appropriately. Respect the couple’s gift guidelines whether it be their registry or their gift preferences. You can always ship gifts (or mail cards with checks) to the couple before the wedding. A typical timeline is between when the invitations are received and up to three months after the wedding. Selecting the perfect gift will depend on how well you know the couple and their preferences. Regardless of the gifts that you choose, it should be thoughtful, considerate and honor the couple’s special day.
FAQs
Is it necessary to bring a gift to the wedding if I already sent one?
If you’ve already sent a wedding gift along with a card or note, then there’s no need to bring a gift to the wedding. Just bring yourself and have a great time celebrating!
Can I give a gift card as a wedding gift?
Gift cards make great wedding gifts. You can choose a general gift card that can be used at any store. Or, you can choose a specific retailer if you know the couple adores a particular store.
Is it appropriate to give cash or a check as a wedding gift?
Cash or a check is an acceptable and appreciated wedding gift. The couple might already have a well-stocked home, and this way they can put any money from wedding gifts toward a honeymoon or another future purchase.
When should I send a wedding gift?
The typical timeline to send a wedding gift is between when you receive the wedding invitation up until three months after the wedding. Some might say that it’s best to send before the wedding so the couple receives their gift before their big day.
Should I always buy a gift from the couple's registry?
It’s recommended that you purchase a gift from the registry. However, if you know the couple well and want to find a gift on your own, then you’re welcome to do that. The registry is a guideline that helps wedding guests know what the couple needs and wants.
