Basic Etiquette Rules for Buying Wedding Gifts

Basic Etiquette Rules for Buying Wedding Gifts

Weddings are a wonderful time to celebrate, but they can also present a few dilemmas when it comes to the wedding gifts. Guests may wonder how much they should spend, where the gift should be sent and how much time they have to get that perfect present. We've got answers to many of your wedding gift questions right here, with tips for how, when and where to give your present to the happy couple. If you have a wedding looming on your calendar, read on for gift facts that will make your participation in the happy day a little easier to handle.

When?

Once you receive an invitation to the wedding celebration, you have up to one year to send a gift according to most wedding etiquette experts. However, few guests will wait quite that long, with most getting the present sent before the couple comes back from their honeymoon or shortly thereafter. After all, wedding invitations typically get mailed at least a month before the blessed event; giving you plenty of shopping days to find the perfect purchase. There's really no excuse for waiting too long, and the longer you hold off, the more likely you will be to forget your obligation entirely.

Where?

There is a good reason why you don't see many wedding guests toting large, wrapped boxes along to the church. The day of the wedding is not always the best choice for delivering your gift, since you won't want to keep track of it during the ceremony and reception, and your recipients certainly won't want to monitor it while saying their vows, greeting guests and enjoying their first dance as man and wife. Instead, mail your wedding gift to the address on the invitation, which will usually be the home of the couple or the bride's parents. That way, you rest assured that your package gets to the right destination and you can enjoy the celebration unhindered.

How Much?

The cost of a wedding gift will be determined by a number of factors; how well you know the couple, whether you are spending money to travel to the ceremony, whether you will be bringing a guest with you and how much you can afford. Most wedding etiquette experts agree that $75-$150 is a fair amount to spend on most wedding gifts. If you are bringing an uninvited guest, that amount is customarily doubled. However, if your budget is tight or you have a host of weddings to attend in a single season, it is acceptable to drop that amount a bit. Keep in mind that the couple is requesting your presence at their special day, and the gift you send is secondary to being there to witness their union.

Wedding gifts are an important part of the complete wedding experience, and a few etiquette tips will ensure that you handle your obligation properly. Whether you choose a gift off the registry or scout out a present that is as unique as your relationship, following these simple guidelines will ensure that your package is appreciated to the fullest.

Provded by leading wedding gifts website pink products