September 5th, 2007
Everything Girl: Wedding Present Etiquette 101 - by A.B. Monk
So you’ve received your invitation to the wedding and now you’re wracking your brain, trying to think of a suitable gift for the lucky couple. Well, here are a few tips to cut down on the stress of gift shopping:
Ask about wedding registries. Most modern brides have them, and they are incredibly convenient. And, speaking from experience, if they have a registry they probably put a lot of time and effort into putting it together. So, if they have a registry, definitely get them something off it. And be sure to check and see if there is a priority listing. That way you can be sure to get the toaster that they would really love to have rather than the salad bowl they think would just be nice to have. (Amazon wedding registries have priority listings.)
“Ask about wedding registries. Most modern brides have them, and they are incredibly convenient. And, speaking from experience, if they have a registry they probably put a lot of time and effort into putting it together.”
However, if you wait too late and all the items on the registry are gone or out of your price range, or if the bride didn’t make a registry, here are a few other gift tips:
- A useful keepsake engraved with the couple’s names and wedding date. For example, my friend Meredith told me one of the best wedding presents she got at her wedding shower was a door knocker engraved “The Smiths, est. 2002″. (Last name and date changed.) She thought it was a very thoughtful and touching present. Other present ideas in this vain would be a nice mailbox, Christmas ornament, wind chimes, or etched mirror. (One word of advice, find out what name the couple will be using. More women are deciding to keep their maiden name rather than take on their husband’s name. So, something to Mr. & Mrs. Smith may not be the most appropriate, if she’s not going to go by Mrs. Smith.)
- Often newly weds are moving into a new location. With so much going on with the wedding and getting the place picked out and a honeymoon, they forget certain necessities a person needs in a new home. So, why don’t you put together a gift basket (or bucket, as the case may be) of home cleaning products? I personally I like Danny Seo’s suggestion on his blog, Simply Green. In his post on Green Housewarming he put together some books on environmental friendly living along with Method cleaning products (environmentally friendly products that don’t have harsh chemicals) from Target and put it all together in a bucket. It makes a very handy and stylish gift basket. And it’s very thoughtful. Why not help the new couple start their new life together out on the right foot by showing some responsibility for the environment?
- Another great idea for a present is to give to a charity in the couple’s name. Make some calls and find out about causes the couple supports. Then you can find an organization that works with those causes and make a donation in their name. A great way to honor the couple is by helping to support a cause they both feel strongly about.
- And last but certainly not least, gift certificates or gift cards. If the couple has registered, get them a gift certificate to the store they registered at. That way if they have some high priced items that no one could afford to get them, they can use the gift certificate towards the cost. If they haven’t registered, make a few calls and find out what their favorite stores or restaurants are. Just getting back from a honeymoon, they would probably really appreciate a certificate to their grocery store or favorite restaurant. Then they won’t have to worry so much about the necessities straight off the bat.
Speaking from experience, I really appreciated the gifts people got me off my registry. I labored over my registry for a really long time and put a lot of thought and effort into it. And when the registry wasn’t an option for people, I appreciated the gifts that they took the time to put thought into, like the set of gaming books a good friend got me to go with my absolute favorite game. A wedding is a joyous occasion, and the presents are meant to be from the heart to help commemorate that occasion. So, happy shopping!
A.B. Monk is a graduate from the University of Tennessee. She has had a tumultuous few years and she is finally getting back on her feet. You can visit her website at www.spiniffy.com. She has agreed to be a regular columnist at All Things Girl, with her thoughts running mostly (but not always) to weddings.