While receiving an invitation to attend a loved one’s wedding can be an exciting experience, the gift giving process is often marred by stress. Here are some wedding gift etiquettes that can make the gift giving process less of a concern for you. Use these simple rules to demonstrate your support for the couple.
The budget
There is no definite rule when it comes to the monetary value of a wedding gift. What actually matters is your relationship with the bride and groom. Do not believe in the notion that your wedding gift’s value should equal the cost of the meal you eat at the ceremony. Do not look at a gift that way. One rule of thumb is that you can buy a gift for the couple for as low as $25. Depending on your relationship with the couple and your budget, you may buy a more expensive wedding gift.
Buy wedding gifts from the couple’s registry
Couples create wedding gift registries, so you can buy them the items they need. They want you to buy them a gift listed on the wedding registry. The majority of wedding gift registries these days are online, such as EasyRegistry, so you can browse for a gift in the comfort of your own home. Of course, you can also go to the physical store to buy a gift for the couple. In any case, stick to the items listed on the couple’s wedding registry.
Giving cash
Many newly married couples require cash more than anything else. There is no harm in gifting cash to the bridge and groom. However, if your budget is below $30, you should buy a gift instead of giving a cash gift. You can even pay the couple in the form of a check.
Big-ticket items
The needs of couples change after the wedding. According to most couples, they prefer big-ticket items bought by a group of friends or family. If you see a large and expensive item on the wedding registry, you may ask other guests or common friends to team up with you to but the couple that memorable gift. Online wedding gift registries such as EasyRegistry keep it simple to make individual contributions to expensive items. There is no doubt that the need of modern couples has changed; however, some of the most desired gifts are still the kitchen, bedding, and dining items.
How to deliver the gift
The best way to deliver a wedding gift is by sending it to the bride’s home before the big day. This will decrease the transportation cost of the couple after the marriage. Also, doing so will ensure the gift has reached the couple safely. However, if you are not able to deliver the wedding gift ahead of the wedding day, you may carry it to the reception and put it on the gift table. Do not forget to ascribe a wedding card to the gift with your name clearly mentioned on it. Online gift registries may arrange the delivery of the gift on your behalf, or transfer the money directly to the couple for them to purchase at their convenience.
Gift giving after the wedding
Ideally, you should deliver the wedding gift to the couple before the wedding or on the wedding day. However, that may not be possible for some people. You can send a wedding gift to the couple even after the wedding. Most people agree that it is ok to send a wedding gift to the bride and groom even one year after their wedding. By default, EasyRegistry keeps their online gift registries open for 2 weeks after the wedding to allow for these late contributions.
Requesting and receiving gifts is one of the most important elements in any wedding. It can be a daunting task for many couples because asking for a wedding gift is more nuanced than asking for birthday or other gifts. This is the reason why it is crucial for any couple to use a wedding registry to ask for gifts.
Below are certain dos and don’ts of wedding registries that would make the wedding gift requesting and receiving process a simple task for you.
DO create your wedding registry ahead of time
Be sure you have created and completed your wedding registry at least five months ahead of your wedding day. Guests need enough time to buy gifts not only for your wedding but also for your shower and engagement.
DO keep different items at different price levels on your registry
Keeping a wide assortment of gifts at different price levels will give a wide variety of options to all of your guests. Be sure to include many low-priced items on the registry, so anyone can buy them individually, and in the end, they could form a cute set. Keeping only expensive items on the list is not a good decision.
DON’T register for many stores
Make sure to use no more than two or three stores for your wedding gift registry. It is wise to select a large department store that keeps stock of a wide array of items that you need. You may also include a local specialty shop in your wedding registry. Another option is to select one high-end store, one medium-end store, and one low-end store, so your guests can easily buy gifts for you at any price tier. With EasyRegistry, you can add gifts from any online or physical store to your registry. This making it simple for your guests to browse your registry online and in one place.
DON’T request cash outright
If you are in need of cash, do not ask for it outright. If you are in dire need of money, just don’t register for wedding gifts; take the risk that your guests may get the subtle message. Your friends and family may dole out the message for you by using strategies like euphemisms for money.
DO add to your registry gifts that will help you grow as a couple
Think twice when adding gifts to your registry. Base your registry items on your needs and requirements. Look at your home. What are the missing items? What would you need one, two, or three years from now? Remember, your needs would change after your marriage. Take the time to do some research on the things couples need after the wedding. Do not forget the support you may need for your honeymoon. The bride and groom should select the gifts in collaboration.
DON’T tell guests about your wedding registry on your invitation
After registering, don’t tell guests where you have registered on your invitation. Instead, send a separate gift registry card along with your invitation or you may include your wedding registry information on a wedding website.
DO register for your online gift registry with EasyRegistry.
With so many options available, it is normal for couples to feel overwhelmed when it comes to the items that should make it to their wedding registry. Whether you are the bride or groom or a guest, chances are you already feel like the entire wedding gift process should be useful and rewarding.
To make the most out of your wedding, be sure to create a wedding registry on EasyRegistry and add some unique wedding gift items to the list. Don’t forget to cover both the high-end and basic items, including the unique ideas discussed below.
Wine glasses
You and your better half may need some classy wine glasses to treat yourself to some wine every now and then after the wedding. And they can be a great drink vessel for any event. Be sure to add to your registry wine glasses that have a stylish look, with slender stems and aesthetically appealing silhouette.
Birdhouse bookshelf
A birdhouse bookshelf is yet another unique and practical item you should have on your registry. You can hang the wall-mounting perch next to your bed, so you can easily store your nightstand items in it. Don’t forget to pick a color that matches colors of other items in your room.
French press
If you are an avid coffee drinker, the French press can be your valuable asset. The beautifully shaped ceramic press brews coffee that would make your mornings extra energetic. On top of that, it would boost the look of your kitchen, making it appear classier.
Saltshaker & pepper mill
Want to uplift your standard of flavoring after your wedding? Sometimes, the smallest things can make life much easier. A stylish salt shaker and pepper mill exhibiting a creative design will not only superbly grind your salt and peppers for you but also function as a style element in your home.
Picnic backpack
If you have planned an outside adventure for your honeymoon, the picnic backpack will go a long way toward making your escapade a memorable experience. Always go for a backpack that is not only practical but also classy. Be sure to put on your registry a picnic backpack that has stainless steel cutlery, melamine plates, and side compartments to store your picnic essentials.
Laundry basket
If you have reliable tools, running your household errands like laundry can be a pleasing experience. Your wedding is the opportunity to get some practical tools for your home. Never forget that you are going to feel the need for a bigger laundry basket after your wedding. Be sure to put a laundry basket on your registry. Ideally, the basket should be big enough to hold a week’s worth of clothes.
Tent
If you have planned an adventurous honeymoon, chances are you would need a tent to spice up your experience. To make it possible, list a two-person tent on your wedding registry. The tent should normally have a weight below 2 kilograms so that you can carry it easily. Also, it should have enough space to hold your essential stuff and let you sleep comfortably. Always go for a tent that has separate interior storage compartments or pockets.
Wedding gifts are an important gesture of your love for the people in your life. However, there might come a time when you are not able to afford expensive wedding gifts. But the lack of money shouldn’t keep you from showing your love and care for the brides and grooms in your life.
Conventional wisdom suggests that the couple is more interested in you showing up to their big day than receiving an expensive gift from you. Recognizing and cheering for a new union is important, and there are ways to do that. If you are short of money, try buying wedding gifts that are affordable as well as thoughtful.
If you are the one who is getting married, I would suggest you create a wedding registry on EasyRegistry and be sure to put affordable items on the list, in addition to expensive ones. Your wedding gifts should be affordable to everyone. Remember, sometimes even the smallest and cheapest items can make life a little easier.
And if you are someone who is looking to buy gifts for the couple, don’t forget to take a look at the inexpensive items on the wedding registry. Here are some affordable wedding gift ideas for the couples getting married and guests.
Embroidered linens
Embroidered linens are not only less expensive but also aesthetically beautiful and artistic in appearance. Think particularly about machine embroidered pillowcases and sheets. Handmade linens can be relatively expensive. You can even custom tailor the linens for the couple by placing their names, nicknames, or a monogram on the gift. That would add about 3-5 dollars to your bill.
Future wine
This is one of the memorable gifts you can give to a couple. It is not only cheap but also impressive. The wine expert at your local wine shop will be on your side to select a less expensive bottle of wine for the bride and groom. Ideally, the wine should have the potential to achieve amazing taste about 8-10 years from now. Don’t forget to stick a note with the bottle that instructs the couple to use the wine to celebrate their 10th anniversary.
Honeymoon gifts
Not all honeymoon items need to cost you an arm and a leg. Just ask the couple where they are going for their honeymoon and gift them some practical and relevant honeymoon gifts. For example, if they are headed to a beach vacation, you may gift them beach towels. And if they are going to the mountains, gift them a skiing gear or sunglasses. Other ideas include maps, prepaid gas card, and passport holders.
Antiques
While antiques can be expensive, you can still find some unique and inexpensive ones at the farmers’ market, garage sales, and estate sales. For example, you can gift the couple an old picture frame or a decoration piece. You can easily find some good-looking woodcrafts and natural, rustic décor in the market. The couple will treasure a judiciously selected antique forever.
Plants and trees
Gifting the newlywed something embodying life can be sweet and refreshing. Plants and trees are symbols of prosperity, life, and good health. A plant will acknowledge the union of the bride and groom. Gifting a plant to a couple holds a significant and deep meaning.
As the union of the couple grows, the plant will grow along. It exemplifies a long lasting love that only grows with time. A functional plant or tree is the best thing you can gift the newlyweds. If that is not possible for you, potted herbs can serve the purpose.
The honeymoon is your first romantic escape with your better half after your wedding. Like all other couples, you too may want to make it a special and unforgettable moment. However, it takes a ton of money to make your honeymoon dreams come true. Fortunately, there’re ways to fund your honeymoon and avail a fine, luxurious treatment at reasonable prices. These tips will help you make the most out of your travel registry and honeymoon gifts.
Use Easyregistry to fund your honeymoon
If you don’t have enough money to fund your honeymoon, let Easyregistry do the trick for you. The wedding registry lets you create your honeymoon gifts/travel registry and share a personalized link with your friends and family. The people you share the link with will fund your honeymoon. You will then get a lump sum payment in your bank account. You can freely shop around with the money to get the best deal on your honeymoon/travel arrangements.
Get cash back on your bookings
Ever thought about getting cash back on your travel and hotel bookings? Well, that’s possible when you make your bookings on CashRewards. Make your account at Cashrewards, process your travel and hotel bookings, and get cash back in your bank account. You can save hundreds of dollars with this trick.
Do hotel price matching and get bonus nights
Don’t forget to do hotel price matching before booking a hotel room for your honeymoon. The smart couples also look for bonus nights when searching for hotel deals. If you want to look for bonus nights, want to find attractive honeymoon deals, or do price matching, Hotels.com is your first place to go to.
Find attractive deals and coupons
Remember, many hotels offer special honeymoon packages, with tons of discounts and complimentary services. The same holds true for your honeymoon travel. When you have the opportunity, why not treat your better half and yourself by traveling in an ultimate luxury and spending your honeymoon in a 5-star hotel? You can get a lot of hotel and travel deals and coupons on Ozbargain for your honeymoon gifts and travel registry.
Find travel deals and tricks
If you are looking for more attractive travel deals to make your honeymoon even more comfy and memorable, use Skyscanner or Flightfox to find attractive and affordable travel deals and tricks. You can save hundreds of dollars on your honeymoon travel with the deals and tricks available on these sites.
Don’t forget your outdoor gear
Your honeymoon should not just be about traveling and staying in a hotel. You should spice up your experience by engaging in activities like camping, fishing, hiking, and doing a lot of outdoor stuff. The best way to fund your outdoor gear and tools like a tent, fishing rods, and trekking gear is by requesting them on your honeymoon registry. Always be open to the fact that your tastes or needs may change during the honeymoon. And when it comes to buying your outdoor stuff, don’t forget to look for amazing deals and discounts.
So you’ve decided to settle down with the love of your life. Congratulations! Your wedding is your first step towards a happy life; however, planning your big day and making it happen can be an uphill task. One of the most important components of a wedding is to shop for your wedding gifts.
Many couples run out of ideas when it comes to buying wedding gifts. Remember, your guests will give you gifts to celebrate your big day. To make the best out of it, be sure to use a bridal registry. And below are some tips to buy whatever you want to buy with the lump sum amount collected through a bridal registry.
Sign up for a gift registry account
Start off by creating an account on EasyRegistry. The site lets you send a personalized wedding gifts registry link to your prospective guests. Your guests will make direct contributions to help stock your new home. Creating an account on EasyRegistry is free.
The website is very flexible. It lets you build your own list of gifts and get a lump sum payment in your bank account. This means that you will have the freedom to just shop around for anything. Don’t forget your honeymoon adventures, camping tools, and elegant dinners.
Make the most out of sales
It’s always a good idea to check out stores sales and make the most out of them. Remember, there’s always that time of the year when stores offer sales on a multitude of items. Take this thing into account when planning your wedding. Try to hold your wedding at a time when stores are offering sales. For example, BoxingDay sales and end of financial year sales are your best opportunities to buy your wedding gifts.
Avail deals and redeem coupons
If you’ve coupons, it’s time to redeem them. Also, there are certain stores that offer special deals for weddings. Make sure to use the deals and coupons to buy your wedding gifts. OzBargain is your best place to find attractive deals, coupon codes, vouchers, and freebies. There are also websites that offer cash back deals. You can save hundreds of dollars by using this option. Cashrewards is the number 1 site to go to.
Don’t forget to inquire about exchange/return policies of stores
You should always ask about a store’s return or exchange policy. There are many wedding registry retailers that have customer friendly policies. After purchasing your gifts, you may realize that you don’t need a few of the items. If the store is accepting exchange or return of items, you’ll be better off.
Keep your registry active even after the wedding
You should keep your wedding registry live even after the wedding. Some of your friends and family may not be able to attend your wedding but would like to buy you a gift at a later time. So, keep your wedding registry active and ask the store how long they’ll keep it alive. One year is the ideal period because conventional wisdom says your guests have about one year from the day of your wedding to buy you gifts.
In a recent survey that was done in Australia, it was determined that the average cost of a wedding would run between $36,000 and $65,000!! (Source: Bride To Be Magazine.) I felt a little overwhelmed and stressed about the expenses involved but fortunately, I came across 6 amazing tips that helped us save BIG TIME!
1) Limit your guest list
Keeping your guest list as short as possible can help you cut down reception costs drastically. Most caterers and banquet halls charge per-person. The difference between 200 and 150 guests can make a difference on your budget.
2) Cut down cuisine costs
About 39% of your wedding budget would go to your catering. Research your options! You’ll need to consider a buffet rather than a sit-down meal; or host a brunch instead rather than a multicourse meal. Another option for holding down costs while not sacrificing good cookery is “drop-off catering”. Catering companies deliver ready-made food and set it up for you. If you are brave enough, cater for the reception yourself with the help of some friends and family.
3) Don’t buy an expensive wedding dress
You don’t need to shop at a conventional bridal salon. You can buy a dress at a store or from a sales outlet in the special occasions ready-to-wear space. Additional cost-conscious choices include:
• Shopping for a vintage or once-worn dress.
• Renting a dress
• Visiting an online auction to search for your dress.
• Re-designing your mother’s wedding dress.
4) Break down your wedding budget
Breaking down your wedding budget into percentages makes it easier to know exactly how much you spend. This process also helps in identifying which services need more attention. EasyRegistry allows you to share your personalised registry link with your guests that will help you to recover after the big day.
5) Avoid getting married on a Saturday
Getting married on a Saturday might sound like an awesome idea because most people are not working and have time to attend the wedding. However, in terms of cutting costs for the wedding venue it is a bad idea. Most caterers and banquet hall owners tend to increase booking fees due to a high level of bookings from different couples getting married.You don’t have to drown in debts after your beautiful wedding.
6) Register for a gift registry account on EasyRegistry
Gift registries allow you create personalised wish lists so that your family and friends can help you at your wedding and beyond. While there are plenty of these to choose from, EasyRegistry is set up for couples in Australia that want a personal experience from a local company.
With a free EasyRegistry account you get your very own easy-to-build, flexible and all inclusive registry. Signing up for a free account will enable you to:
• Add gifts to your registry
• Share your registry
• Receive a lump sum payment
Now that you have established your wedding date, it is now time to find the ideal wedding venue. Sitting down with each wedding venue will be critical to ensure that there are no surprises on the big day.
Using this list:
Review all questions and mark those most relevant to your type of wedding
Print out questions before you meet with the venue
Make note of the feedback you receive. Especially if you are chatting to more than one wedding venue.
Dates
Is our date available?
How many other weddings will be booked that day?
Is the venue available for exclusive use?
Logistics
What is the seating arrangement?
How many guests does the venue hold?
What type of tables do you have (shape, size)?
How long do we have at the venue? How much are additional hours?
Is the site accessible (for wheelchairs, etc)?
Is parking and/or valet parking available?
How many parking spots are available?
Is there an overflow or separate car park available?
Is public transportation easily accessible from the venue?
Is a shuttle service available?
How many bathrooms are there?
If an outdoor venue: Is there a backup plan for rain?
Is there a coat check available?
Are there restrictions for the photographer in terms of flash usage?
Is the venue child friendly? What facilities are available for entertaining children?
Is there somewhere secure to store wedding gifts?
Music and sound
Are there any noise restrictions?
Can the venue accommodate a DJ or live band? Are there any restrictions?
Where does the band/DJ set up?
Where is the dance floor, and how large is it?
Do you have a sound system with speakers, or will that need to be rented?
Do you have microphones for speeches?
Can I hook an iPod or laptop up to your sound system?
Vendors, food, and rentals
Is there a required/preferred vendor list to stick to? Can we use other vendors?
Are tables, linens, chairs, plates, silverware, and glassware provided, or will we have to rent them or get them through our caterer?
If catering is available, can we do a tasting?
Can you accommodate special dietary requirements?
If using in-house catering, what is the service charge?
If I hire my own caterer, are kitchen facilities available to them?
Can I bring in a cake from an outside baker?
Is there a cake-cutting fee?
Is there an option for a dinner the night before or a brunch the day after?
Do you have a liquor license?
Can I bring my own booze (and what kind), and is there a corkage fee?
Is a champagne toast complimentary?
How is alcohol priced, and is there a charge for bar staff?
Is there a bar minimum that must be met?
What is the average bar tab for my size guest list?
When can we get access to the space to decorate/set up?
How early can vendor deliveries be made?
How long do we have to clean up/tear down?
Are there samples of the rentals available to look at?
What are the restrictions for decor (including what you can and can’t toss, lighting restrictions, what you can hang from the ceiling and on the walls, candles, etc.)?
Staffing and coordination
Is there an on-site venue coordinator?
What services are included with the venue coordinator, and are there additional charges?
Will the coordinator serve as day-of coordinator?
How much assistance can I get with the set up/decor?
Is any set up/tear down service available? How much does it cost?
Do you have signage to direct guests to the wedding?
Do you provide assistance getting gifts or decor back to a designated place?
Shared ceremony/reception spaces
Can I hold my ceremony here, too? Is there an additional charge?
What is the setup for a shared ceremony/reception space?
Do you provide a transition setup for a shared ceremony/reception space?
How much time is allocated for the ceremony rehearsal?
Accommodations
Are there any suites or private rooms available to get ready or have alone time?
Can the wedding party get ready at the venue?
What overnight accommodations do you provide?
Do you have any partnerships with nearby hotels? Can you provide a list?
Do you offer a discount for booking multiple rooms?
Money, payments, and liability
What’s included in the fees (rentals, catering, lighting, parking, etc.)?
Is there a discount for an off-season date or Sunday through Friday?
How much is the deposit, and when is it due?
When is the balance due?
What forms of payment do you accept?
What is your cancellation policy?
Is the deposit refundable in case of cancellation?
We all love a beautiful and emotional ending and this video definitely does not disappoint She went from tears of sadness to tears of joy. Wait until you see how it ends!
Enjoy!
How did you get engaged? What is your special story?
