A Helpful Guide to Giving Wedding Gifts, For All Parties

As we all know, gift giving is a tricky business. When added to the complex etiquette expected in weddings, it gets even trickier. With wedding season upon us, we’ve put together a simple guide to giving wedding gifts, whether you’re a guest, a member of the wedding party, a parent of the bride or groom, or the bride or groom themselves, we ensure you’ll find a perfect gift the recipient is bound to love.

If You’re a Guest

Stick to the Registry

As a guest, finding a present that both members of the happy couple will appreciate may seem daunting, but it does not have to be. The registry is there to give you a helpful hint of what the bride and groom are after. So while you may be wanting to get creative with your gifts, surprises may not be the best option here.

The exception however, is if you know the happy couple very well and already have something perfect for them in mind. If you do decide to go rogue, a recommended tip is to observe the colours of the items in their registry, so if you do choose a surprise you can match it to their other gifts. If you’re still unsure, timeless gifts like vases or frames can never go amiss.

 

 

Stick to your Budget

Although you may want to splash out, don’t feel you have to go out of your budget. An inexpensive yet sentimental gift can mean just as much as an extravagant one, if not more. There is no right or wrong amount to spend on a wedding, so spend what you think is appropriate depending on your relationship to the couple. Anything from £30-£100 is acceptable depending on your closeness to the couple.

Try to Send Within Three Months

Although the general rule to send your gifts is within one year, three months after the wedding is the recommended time frame. While it might seem easier to bring the gift with you to the reception, the newlyweds are likely to not want the extra faff of moving presents around.  Have it shipped straight to them to make it easier for everyone involved.

If You’re the Bride or Groom’s Parents

No strict rules apply to the parents of the bride and groom. Generally, if you’ve contributed significantly to your son or daughter’s wedding, nothing more is expected of you. If not, a thoughtful gift could go a long way. Especially as someone who has been with the bride and groom their whole lives, you can go off the register and opt for something more personal. As with the guests, price tag is not a priority here and parents should also stick to their budget.

 

 

If You’re One of the Bridal Party or Groomsmen

At this point, being in the whole wedding process is likely to have costed you a lot, so it’s understandable to not want to splurge on a pricey gift on top of that. The general consensus is, unfortunately, that the bridal party and groomsmen should get gifts for the happy couple. Again, don’t feel like you have to go too big. A good idea is getting a group gift.

Collating your contributions together is a great way of easily purchasing something pricey that the bride and group could not get alone. So if the couple have registered for an overly expensive item, don’t be afraid to ask the rest of the bridal party or groomsmen to chip in with you.

If You’re the Bride or Groom

Believe it or not, but the happy couple are also traditionally expected to give gifts to some attendants after the event. This includes bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, page boys and ring bearers. These gifts are basically a thank you, so they don’t have to be too big. It’s best to go personal and get each individual bridesmaid or groomsman something which represents them.

Although not necessary required, a gift from the bride and groom to parents or grandparents is a nice gesture, especially if they’ve helped with the organisation of the wedding. It is also an optional tradition for the bride and groom to exchange heartfelt gifts for the big day.

 

 

We hope this helps and the big day is wonderful!