Wedding gift etiquette

Savemesomemoneyplease

Hi everyone.

I've been invited to a wedding (for the first time ever!) and I need some advice for the wedding list.

There's a list of about 60 or so things, ranging in price from <£5 to £300.

We will be looking to spend around the £50 mark. Do we buy multiple smaller things, or one larger thing?

Are the smaller things intended for those who cannot afford something bigger (they have many students attending) or are they in order for people to get multiples?

Thank you!

Toto

I would buy one gift for my budget. I would leave the smaller gifts for people who can't afford the larger gift. If everyone bought multiple little ones soon the only gifts left would be the large ones which would be out of lots of people's budget.

Savemesomemoneyplease

Toto wrote: »

I would buy one gift for my budget. I would leave the smaller gifts for people who can't afford the larger gift. If everyone bought multiple little ones soon the only gifts left would be the large ones which would be out of lots of people's budget.

Thank you! Makes perfect sense. There's not too many middle of the range things, so I hope we can get in there quick!

74jax

I too would buy one present for the value of what I wanted to spend. You could always mark it off the list now (before buying) if you know that is what you are getting - you might even get it in the January Sales too.

Brighton_belle

The smaller items are defintely for people who can't afford much. Far better, if you can afford a generous £50 that you buy one item of that value.

Savemesomemoneyplease

74jax wrote: »

I too would buy one present for the value of what I wanted to spend. You could always mark it off the list now (before buying) if you know that is what you are getting - you might even get it in the January Sales too.

Fabulous idea!

Brighton_belle wrote: »

The smaller items are defintely for people who can't afford much. Far better, if you can afford a generous £50 that you buy one item of that value.

I was under the impression (wrong?) that was a standard gift size? I'm a complete novice and ignorant of all things wedding! There's no china/kettle/toaster on the list which I thought was odd, maybe I've been watching too many Hollywood films :rotfl:

Person_one

Remember, just because there's a list it doesn't mean you have to buy off it, they're just suggestions and you're allowed to choose yourself too!

There's no 'standard' gift budget, you give what you can afford and what you think is appropriate.

monty-doggy

If all the gifts at that price range are gone you could always give the the money or a voucher so they could put it towards one of the £300 items if no one buys it

Seanymph

I had several guests who banded together and bought a bigger gift. That was lovely because I got some of the big things too.

74jax

Savemesomemoneyplease wrote: »

I was under the impression (wrong?) that was a standard gift size? I'm a complete novice and ignorant of all things wedding! There's no china/kettle/toaster on the list which I thought was odd, maybe I've been watching too many Hollywood films :rotfl:

There's no 'standard' now, it's very much what people can afford.

At our's we stressed no gifts at all and some people really couldn't get their heads round it so made a donation to charity in our name which was lovely, but to them 'standard' was giving something (if you know what I mean).

I think £50 is very generous and would be delighted if a guest thought of me so much to spend that one a gift to me. I am sure they will love whatever you decide to buy.

Savemesomemoneyplease

Person_one wrote: »

Remember, just because there's a list it doesn't mean you have to buy off it, they're just suggestions and you're allowed to choose yourself too!

There's no 'standard' gift budget, you give what you can afford and what you think is appropriate.

Thank you. I rather get them something special as almost everything on their lists is the sort of thing you'd have anyway if you lived together. I'd like to get them something that they can say, "ooh, that's my wedding *insert whatever". However, I do want to get them something they actually want, so I will find the most appropriate thing from the list!

monty-doggy wrote: »

If all the gifts at that price range are gone you could always give the the money or a voucher so they could put it towards one of the £300 items if no one buys it

Very true. My mum said this is what she and dad did as it was seen as a bit rude to ask for large items (this was 20+ years ago!)

Seanymph wrote: »

I had several guests who banded together and bought a bigger gift. That was lovely because I got some of the big things too.

Or this!