Warning about cash gifts- advice welcome

VICSH

Hi ladies

I thought I would share, my friends who got married 2 months ago at a luxury hotel chain came round last night and we were discussing the wedding asking loads of questions etc and they told us this. I am sure as a cautionary tale as I know lots of people are doing simialr things and I had never thought this kind of thing would happen (clearly naive).

During the preparations for the wedding they were told that all the stuff from the wedding will be locked away in a romo over night and they can collect the next day (flowers/ post box/ decorations etc).

The next day they collected the stuff and noticed the post box had been tampered with. They have jsut started wriitng their thank yous when they realised that some people had not sent a card, one in particular their uncle Jon. It then came apparent that at least 10 cards were missing with their cash/ cheque donations also being 'lost' (there could be more as they dont know whether people jsut idnt give cards or they were also taken).

They contacted the hotel who have offered them a room for the night and they have declined it and want to take the matter further.

The police have been informed, the couple cant claim on their wedding insurance as there needs to be forced entry to accept somehting being stolen (which there wasnt).

I helped them write a strong worded letter to the General Manager and the hq of the hotel so we shall wait and see.

I just again wanted to tell you all this to really think if you do have anything like this at your weddings make sure someone you trust or you take it home with you on the night. Before they told me this I hadnt even thought about arranging it to be taken home etc.

Birdie85

This has happened to a friend of mine too, they can't be sure how many cards have gone walkies but they know that there are 2 Debenhams gift cards definitely missing. You can't really go round asking your guests if they gave you a card or not in case they think you're having a dig if they haven't given you anything so it's a difficult one to suss out! Like your friends, the wedding was in a luxury hotel chain and you wouldn't think that such a thing would happen.

When I'm at my brother's wedding later this year I'll be offering to look after the post box for him and will lock gifts in my room at regular intervals so that this doesn't happen. I think it's horrendous that it does!

VICSH

That is the thing I would have not even thought about it until they said something. Like you say there is no way of knowing jsuth ow many cards have gone missing they know of at least 10 but that could be more.... Jsut want to make sure all the B2B and G2B think about this if they are planning on having somehting similar!

becca0417

Thanks for the hint, will make sure the best man locks everything away!

trying_2_b_good

Thank you. My mum was telling me about someone's whole post box getting stolen :eek: - apparently people just ran in grabbed it and ran off. Was quite a few years ago, but even so, she's making sure that I put the gifts right at the back of the room and not near the entrance.

Some people are just awful.

sammy_wheeler

so sad i have heard this before- not good. defo make sure its all locked away and secure

Mrsanders

Unfortunately cards with money in went missing at my niece's wedding

We have got a wishing well which is quite large and will be in full view of everyone, but we will still be emptying it regularly and putting them in a safer place

VICSH

That is the thing I really hadnt thought of this and that is why I want to warn other B2B and G2B to think about making sure someone is 'in charge' of it during they day and the evening.

narabanekeater

Also dont give the role of collecting/looking after cards and vouchers to your best man when he's had a few. He remembers putting them all in one gift bag only not where he put the gift bag. We lost over £700 of cash and vouchers. We did hunt high and low for it but as there were 2 weddings going on at the same time in was a lost hope. Also our wedding certificate was in the bag. Yes we have a copy but its nothing like the original

floss2

We had a post box at our wedding....the hotel locked it in their safe at about 9pm, as they reckoned everyone coming to the evening do would be there by then.

They were very concious of it's security - probably because they had "lost" one at another hotel in the group the previous year.

donnap83

Eek!! Thanks for the warning, I'm planning to ask for gift cards as our wedding gifts! Will have to find a way to ensure they are kept safe during the day! :eek: