| There is a lot of etiquette when it comes to weddings. | | | | for you, if they are so inclined. If someone directly asks |
| One area where people often have questions is when | | | | you what gift you would like for your wedding, it is |
| it comes to wedding gifts. This is everything that you | | | | certainly fine to tell them that their presence is the only |
| need to know about wedding gift etiquette, whether | | | | present that you desire; just don't expect them to |
| you are the bride, the groom, a parent, an attendant, or | | | | abide by your statement, as they will most likely |
| a guest. | | | | assume that you are simply being polite. |
| One question that often arises is whether it is | | | | It is common for the parents of the bride and groom to |
| necessary to send a gift for a wedding to which you | | | | give the happy couple a wedding gift, as well. The |
| were invited, but are not going to attend. The answer | | | | value of the gift can vary widely, depending on the |
| is that no one is technically obligated to send a | | | | financial situation of the parents. Typical gifts range |
| wedding gift, although if you are going to the wedding, | | | | from a small appliance for the new home, to a |
| it is certainly the norm to get a wedding gift. Those | | | | handmade quilt, to a generous check, to a down |
| who are not attending the wedding are not required to | | | | payment on a new house. It is entirely up to the |
| send a present, but will often wish to do so anyway. If | | | | discretion of the bride and groom's parents. The gifts |
| budget is a concern, the gift need not be expensive at | | | | from each set of parents do not need to be equivalent |
| all; a pretty picture frame is something that the | | | | in value, either. If one family is well-to-do, and the other |
| newlyweds will definitely be able to use, but can be | | | | is not, the family with a smaller budget should choose a |
| purchased for under $20. | | | | gift that is within their means, and not worry about |
| Speaking of money, guests often wonder if it | | | | competing with the other parents over who can give |
| acceptable to give a check or cash in lieu of an item. | | | | the nicer gift. |
| You can comfortably assume that no bride or groom | | | | Etiquette dictates that the bride and groom should also |
| would be disappointed to receive money, so go right | | | | give bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts to their |
| ahead! If you are giving cash, be sure to put it in a card | | | | attendants. The rule of thumb is that the gifts for the |
| with your name on it so that the couple will know who | | | | maid of honor and best man are more expensive than |
| gave it to them. If cash is such a great gift, you may | | | | the gifts for the rest of the bridesmaids and |
| wonder if it is okay for the couple to make it known | | | | groomsmen. For example, if you are giving your |
| that they would prefer cash instead of other gifts, and | | | | bridesmaids a pair of earrings, you would give your |
| the answer is absolutely not. It is the height of | | | | maid of honor a necklace to match. Or if the groom |
| rudeness to dictate to your guests that you only want | | | | has chosen pocketknives for his groomsmen gifts, the |
| money; it smacks of charging an admission fee to your | | | | best man's can be made from engraved silver. |
| wedding. | | | | Whatever gift you choose for your attendants, make |
| Some couples are trying to be helpful, and request that | | | | sure that is good quality and has lasting value. |
| no gifts be brought to their wedding, but that is | | | | Gifts are a big part of any celebration. When you |
| technically incorrect as well, as you are making the | | | | know the etiquette and customs surrounding wedding |
| assumption that people will be falling all over | | | | presents, it takes a lot of the guess work out of the |
| themselves to buy you something unless you dictate | | | | equation. One final very important thing to remember |
| otherwise. Requesting no gifts also deprives your | | | | about wedding gifts is that each one deserves a |
| guests of the pleasure of picking out something special | | | | prompt and heartfelt thank you note! |