I have spent almost $7000.00 for myself, my spouse, my kids, and my parents (who could not afford to go) to attend a family member's wedding in a tropical location. (We were all expected to attend) The reception will be in our hometown several weeks later. Am I still obligated to bring a gift to the reception.?
2006-10-14 15:05:09 · 20 answers · asked by seemee 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
If you were so close to the bride and the groom, then they should know that you spent all that money just to get to their wedding. I think that they would understand if you did not give a gift because you could not AFFORD one, but I dont think that they would understand if you just didnt buy them one because you didnt feel like spending anymore of your money on them and their wedding.
My suggestion is to talk to them before their reception and say that you are sorry that you cant afford a gift for them at the present time, but have them let you know what they dont get off of their registry and maybe you can help fill in the blanks as to what they didnt get from it.
Then, when Christmas comes give them one of the gifts that they didnt recieve off of their registry.
Example: "Here's your gift Dick and Jane". (they open it) then you say "look! Now you finally have the last place setting for your china!!"
You are killing 2 birds with one stone. Are you being cheap? of course. Will it matter? not really.
2006-10-14 15:24:55 · answer #1 · answered by lonijean 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I am a recent bride, and while a gift is graciously accepted, no one... I mean no one, HAS TO give a gift. Especially not if you just shelled out probably as much as they spent on the entire wedding, just to go to the ceremony!
If someone thinks it is *required* to give a gift then they obviously don't know what the meaning of the word gift is.
In your case I'm sure the couple fully understands that you just paid a lot of money just to be at the ceremony, and they should not expect a gift. And like someone else said, if they confront you about the situation, tell them the truth and if they are still peeved then there is something seriously wrong with them! lol
2006-10-14 16:19:03 · answer #2 · answered by *~Mom2aJellybean~* 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not a gift if you feel obligated to do it. If you are unable to financially afford a gift, then don't stress about it. I sincerely hope that they would not be upset about you showing up at the reception without a gift, knowing that you traveled a long way to share in their special day. Give them your love and best wishes for a wonderful life together, that's better than any old gift anyway.
2006-10-14 17:28:15 · answer #3 · answered by Cynthia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one is obligated to give a gift. A gift is something you give because you want to. The cost to go to the wedding was a lot and I hope the bride and groom were grateful. I don't know if you gave a gift at the wedding, but if you did, you shouldn't have to give another one at the reception. If you didn't why not give them a small gift, maybe a gift card?
I hope this helps.
2006-10-14 15:09:47 · answer #4 · answered by Juanitamarie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are not obligated to attend a wedding just because you're "expected" to. No one should spend thousands of dollars to go to a wedding if they can't afford it. That's just ludicrous. You should bring a gift to the wedding but don't spend alot on it.
2006-10-14 18:45:24 · answer #5 · answered by maigen_obx 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. I feel like your attendance (and generous gifts to allow others to attend) is more than a gift!
If it were my wedding, I would NOT want a gift! You would have already given me the best gift of all... bringing your family and your parents to be a part of my very special day!
No gift!
2006-10-14 18:08:45 · answer #6 · answered by PT&L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To spend this sort of money really outrages me, I think the bride and groom are so up themselves to expect people to pay to attend their wedding. Explain that you cannot afford a gift as well - let them be honoured by your presence.
2006-10-14 20:49:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont think so, if i was in the brides position, i would have had a tropical wedding in private,a nd had a blessing at the reception with the rest of the family
2006-10-14 18:52:23 · answer #8 · answered by double d debbie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are really close to this member of your family, get them a gift. Or maybe an inexpensive gift. But if you cannot afford it, the bride and groom aren't going to miss one gift. If they confront you (unlikely) just tell them your situation. They'll understand.
2006-10-14 15:08:47 · answer #9 · answered by kait 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the reality that those are 2 separate activities/events (even whether it quite is for quite the comparable ingredient) ability which you *ought to* provide 2 separate presents (or one quite huge one in case you want to describe it to the couple). To be quite trouble-free i do no longer possibly get bridal showers - yet perhaps it quite is in simple terms me! think of roughly what a present day quite is? it quite is a thank you to somebody who has hosted a occasion and spent their very own money (and time) so as which you would be able to connect them in celebrating something (be that a birthday, anniversary, wedding ceremony, dinner occasion, and so on). for this reason - each journey you attend ought to warrant a present day. human beings look to have forgotten WHY we deliver presents - that is not any longer *in simple terms* to congratulate human beings. i think a centred visitor has a definite responibility as quickly as they settle for an invitation and individually i could sense extremely impolite if I hadn't 'thanked' the hosts perfect via bringing something for them - fairly on condition that they have long previous out of their thank you to organise and pay for in spite of journey it quite is they have organised.
2016-10-19 10:11:10 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋