Being invited as a wedding guest is surely a huge honor and the greatest compliment. However, it's also a big responsibility. Once you accept the invitation, you inevitably face two big questions. First is what to wear. And the second is what to give as a gift. Actually, wedding gift shopping has its own etiquette. Great news, we know everything about it and are ready to share all the tips with you. Get a pen and a piece of paper and start taking notes!
When to buy and send a gift?
It's best to start your gift search journey once you receive a wedding invitation. Your gift should be sent as close to the wedding day as possible, so keep that in mind. However, if things do not go as you planned, don’t rush to panic. The couple will be happy to receive the gift whenever it reaches them. It’s not uncommon for some guests to bring their gifts to the actual celebration, but this practice is getting less and less popular. Why? Just think about it: dozens of guests, each coming with a gift — the poor couple will need extra hands to bring everything home.
How much should you spend?
There are actually no hard and set rules, so everything is up to you and you only. The only thing to follow is being sensible and buying within your means. Don’t try to go overboard, but spend an amount that feels most comfortable to you. If you still have doubts, consider your relationship with an engaged couple. Ask yourself a simple question: "How close to the couple am I?" You’d probably want to spend slightly more on your siblings or best friends than colleagues or just acquaintances.
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Is buying from a wedding registry a must?
You might have already heard about a wedding registry. If not — we are ready to fix it. The wedding registry is a curated list of items created by an engaged couple to make the wedding gift experience easier. There, guests can find just about anything the to-be-weds might need or would like to have. Just scroll through the list, choose whatever speaks to you, and purchase it. Such a service is particularly useful if you don’t know the couple well. Okay, but is going off the registry allowed? Yes! Consider the wedding registry just a mere suggestion. If you feel a connection with a gift not listed in the registry, that shouldn't stop you from buying it.
Are group gifts acceptable?
Group gifts are, in fact, more than welcome. Especially so if there are some big-ticket items in the wedding registry. They can be a little too much for just one person to afford. Ask other guests to join you and chip into something really pricey altogether. The to-be-weds will be touched by your generosity! There’s one rule to remember, though. No matter how big or small the group is, make sure that everyone who chips into the gift signs their name on the card. This way, the couple will know who to thank later.
Do you have to send a gift if you are not attending the wedding?
You’ve received the invitation to the wedding celebration, but for some reason can’t attend. Well, situations like this can happen. So what to do with the gift? Again, everything depends on your relationship with the couple. If you feel like just dropping a note in the mail with nice wishes — do it. No one will judge you. However, sending something meaningful even if you aren’t able to attend the celebration is an easy way to demonstrate your appreciation. Choose whatever suits you best.
