Over time, our visitors, both Invitees and Marrying Couples, have asked many questions regarding Wedding Gift Giving

This article is formatted as Questions and answers.
A-wedding Day hopes that they will help answer some of your questions. If not, please feel free to Email us your questions.

WEDDING GUESTS ASK:

I am invited to a wedding. The invitation arrived and with it a wish list and store registries where the bride and groom entered the items they want to receive.

I do not plan to attend. Do I need to send a gift?
You do not have to, but it is a nice gesture to send a gift whether or not you plan to attend.

Do I have to give an item chosen by the bride and groom?
No! While it is nice to help the couple acquire items they have chosen, a unique gift can be just as and even more welcomed.

Do I have to purchase from one of their bridal registries?
No. You may shop anywhere, though the bridal registries will inform you of which items have already been purchased.

Can I purchase a gift for the wedding itself rather than for the future?
Absolutely! Providing the bride and groom receive it in time for the wedding. In fact it is a good idea because just about any gift used at the wedding will become a cherished keepsake.

What would make a memorable gift for the wedding?
Any item personalized with the bride and groom's first names and wedding date such as: Toasting Flutes, Cake Servers, Unity Candles, etc...
One, a few or even an entire collection of Wedding Accessories such as: Toasting Flutes, Cake Servers, Unity Candles, Guest Books and matching pens, Garters, Ring Bearer Pillow, hankies, caketops etc... But DO NOT make it a surprise gift. Consult with the bride and groom to assure that they do not have these items yet. If not, find out if they plan a theme wedding and purchase accordingly or better yet, let THEM CHOOSE the items.

Can I shop on line for wedding gifts?
Sure! Actually this is the easiest way to engage the bride and groom, near or far, should you need their input in choosing a gift for the wedding.
Shopping online is your most convenient way to acquire unique gifts which may not be available in stores.
Ideas: Personalized wedding gifts, personalized candles, etc... When you shop on line, a click of the mouse or a phone call from your home or office, allows you to purchase, gift wrap, enclose a personalized gift card and ship a gift to directly to the couple.

Should I bring my gift to the wedding site?
Preferably not!
Most wedding sites do not provide security. Thus, Gifts can easily be damaged or misplaced or, sad to say taken. The bride and groom are much too busy and excited to worry about gathering up gifts. Thus, some gifts could easily be left behind.

How do I make sure that the bride and groom receive my gift?
Send the gift to the Bride's address, grooms address or the address on the RSVP envelope that came with the wedding invitation.

BRIDES AND GROOMS ASK:

We plan to give each other gifts at the wedding. What is the best time to do so?
Gift exchange between brides and grooms has become rather popular. The best time for brides and grooms to exchange gifts is at the ceremony, as soon as they are no longer bride and groom. That is immediately following the officiant presenting the new Mr. and Mrs. but after lighting the Unity Candle.

What kinds of gifts will be appropriate?
Give each other gifts that are keepsakes. Personalized gifts and jewelry top the list.

As a blending family, we plan to acknowledge our kids as part of our union. We would like to give them special gifts at the wedding. What is the best time to do so?
This is a wonderful way to welcome your kids into the new family creatid by your union.
The best time for you to give your kids a gift is at the ceremony immediately following your gift exchange, or immediately after your rings exchange and vows. This is especially appropriate if you plan to include the kids in your vows and, if age appropriate, in lighting the Unity Candle.

What kinds of gifts will be appropriate?
Here a piece of jewelry such as the family unity jewelry (pendants, rings, lapel pins/tie clips etc...) will be a perfect gift.

Are there specific etiquetes regarding giving gifts to our wedding party and family?
We need some ideas of gifts of appreciation to our bestman, maid of honor, bridesmaids, ushers, groomsmen, parents grand parents flower girl and ring bearer (boy).
Gifts, their cost and whether you should give everyone the same gift is at your discresion. But since you asked, we'll provide you with some ideas.

GIFTS for WOMEN

Maid of Honor, Bridesmaids, mothers, grandmothers
The most appropriate gifts will be keepsake mementos.
The mothers and the maid of Honor generally receive gift of greater value than the bridesmaids, but this is not mandatory.
Gifts personalized with either their names, title (mother, maid of honor etc...), or bride and groom's name and wedding date serve as both thank you and keepsake mementos.
Ideas: Personalized candles, frames or photo albums to later add your wedding pictures to, jewelry, some part of their wedding attire, toasting flutes or mugs, jewelry boxes, key chains, clocks, make-up kits, crystal or silver vases, crystal bowls, collectibles etc...
Pampering gifts Ideas:bath oils, gift baskets, candles, a day at a spa etc...

GIFTS FOR MEN

Best Man, Groomsmen/Ushers, fathers, grandfathers
Here too the most appropriate gifts will be keepsake mementos.
The fathers and the best man generally receive gifts of greater value than the Groomsmen/Ushers, but this is not mandatory.
Ideas: Personalized candles, frames or photo albums to later add your wedding pictures to, beer mugs or pilsners, toasting flutes, drinks shakers, can cooler koozies, money clips, travel cases, wood jewelry boxes, unique items reflecting their individual interests, bar sets, desk clocks, business card holders, key chains, pocket watches, Swiss Army products, high quality pens/pen sets.

GIFTS FOR PARENTS and GRANDPARENTS

Wedding mementos including a special album, picture frames and video/cd of your wedding are most appreciated by parents. They will display them and re-live your happy day every time they look at your wedding pictures.

GIFTS FOR FLOWERGIRL(S)/RING BEARER(S)

Ideas: Here your gift such as a coloring book set, or books about being a flower girl or ring bearer may will depend on the age of the child. However, long lasting gifts can be given to a child of any age. Ideas: Jewlry, jewelry box, silver bank, a framed photo of him/her with you on your wedding day, something relating to the child's interest, a stuffed animal etc...

GUESTS

It has become customary to gift your wedding guests with wedding favors to thank them for helping you celebrate your big day.
Actually, favors should be multi-purpose.
ideas: Insert place cards in Small frames, Insert place cards in silver holders, order personalized pens and have each guest keep the pen after signing your guest book, place a dessert (Candy, nuts, cake, etc..) in a keepsake container, etc... Assign one of your attendants to announce that these are Thank you souvineers from the bride and groom.

We plan to give our guests memento thank you gifts. Should we also send them Thank-You notes?
Absolutely! Each guests gave you a gift personally. Most guests put thought into what to get and purchased, wrapped and delivered it to you on or before your wedding.
You must acknowledge their efforts individually with a Thank-You note.

We have a large wedding party. By the time we add both sets of parents, grandparents and a few other relatives, we come up with more than 10 men and more than 10 women. We are on a budget. Giving each a large gift is prohibitive but we do not want to give "cheapy" gifts. Can you help?
We hope so! You must consider your budget when choosing your gifts but you do not necessarily have to pass up gifts you like. Always remember that a little creativity and thoughtfulness can go a long way. If you are creative you can put together gifts from the heart. Write or draw someting special and place it in a frame. find small items that will be appreciated by a sports enthusiast, stamp collectors, a gardening buffs, etc... and make little gift baskets. Your thoughtfullness will be appreciated by the recipients.
Otherwise, choose two gifts - one for the men and one for women - and buy them in bulk. This will help keep your costs down and save you time too.
If you shop on-line Email a note to the online vendors asking if they can give you a break for buying X number of the same item. They may not offer it but some may consider doing so when requested. We at A-wedding Day do.
Be aware that because of the way internet shopping carts are set up, the discount will not show up on your online confirmation. The vendor will have to deduct the discount when charging your credit card and will need to email you the amount actually charged. It should reflect your cost after the price reduction.

When is the best time to present our thank you gifts to our parents, grandparents and wedding attendants?
You may do so at the rehearsal dinner because of the intimate setting with your family and closest friends. Or, you may choose to present each in a private setting where you can express your gratitude to each participant individually.