Questions About Wedding Gift Etiquette

If you are invited to a wedding, you will be expected to bring a gift. Most of the time you will have no idea what to give the bride and groom to be unless you are close enough to the couple to know their personal style and taste. Do not worry though, there are plenty of things that you can give a bride and groom to be that will be sure to please.

How Much Should I Give?

Although it is common practice to give enough money to cover the cost of your dinner plate, this is not always the case. If you cannot afford to give this much, give what you can. The bride and groom will understand. Consider how close you are to the married couple as well; you should give an amount that you are comfortable with that is not going to break the bank.

Should I Give a Gift or Cash to the Couple?

Whether you give cash or a gift is completely up to you. If you do not know the couple very well it may be best to give them cash, unless they are registered with a gift registry somewhere. If you are close to the couple and know what they may want or need, then you can choose a gift for them on your own. The choice is yours. Gift cards are a great option as well, especially for a couple who is just starting out. Purchase a gift card in the monetary value of your choice for a local department or discount store near you and place it in a wedding card in place of cash.

If I Don't Attend the Wedding Should I Send a Gift?

Although it is polite to send a gift even if you do not attend the wedding, it is not required. It will depend on how well you know the couple that is getting married. If you reserved your spot at the wedding and then did not show up due to unforeseen circumstances, chances are they paid for your meal even though you did not attend. In this case it would be polite to send a card or gift apologizing for not making it to their special day.