How to Master Wedding Gift Etiquette

There’s only one season that rivals Christmas when it comes to gift-giving and that time of year has arrived: it’s wedding season. Before the bride takes that walk down the aisle and the couple says “I do,” it’s a good time to start thinking about gifts. There are definitely rules for wedding gift-giving etiquette. So to make sure I was displaying good manners I turned to the one and only Emily Post. Here are some of the biggest wedding gift-giving questions answered.

1. When should I send my gift?

I’ve been told several times that you have a year to give a couple a wedding gift, but according to Emily Post, get it done within three months. The best time to do it is right before or right after the wedding. It is ok to bring the gift to the reception if you prefer, but that just means more work for someone taking on the task of gift wrangler.

2. Does the gift have to come off of the registry?

Emily says no. A registry is just a guide, but it’s a good way to make sure the couple gets exactly what they want.

3. How much do I have to spend?

It depends on a couple of things: your budget and how much you like the couple. If the bride is your twin sister, you may want to spend a little more than you would if the bride is a co-worker in accounting that you barely talk to.

4. Can I give cash?

Yes! Cash is good. Emily says if this makes you a little uneasy, try giving a gift certificate.

Photo Courtesy of Alison Storm and Denny Shortt Photography.