What is the tradition in your area?

Question

I know things are different all over and I thought it would be interesting for everyone to share their different views and experiences

Wedding Gifts

In New Jersey most every bride registers and we have a bridal shower that we give gifts at. At weddings there are no registry gifts given its all in monetary form, cash or check in an envelope. Usually the amount given is enough to cover the cost of your plate plus any additional plates that are in your party. This is by guessing though, it isnt told to anyone how much your plate costs, alot of times people wait to see the spread and then fill out their checks so they can give the appropriate amount. The goal is to help the bride and groom recoup what they spent on the wedding.

How is it done in your area?

Answer 1

I'm in NY and we do things the very same way Katieq. People never never bring gifts to the reception, it's always "an envelope." I have been to so many weddings where the guests have their checkbooks out on the table and fill them out at the reception. I think it's definitely a northeast thing, and to some extent also an Italian thing.

Answer 2

I'm in Western Canada as well. Couples usually register far enough in advance that guests can buy off the registry for both the bridal shower and the wedding. Shower gifts are usually smaller than wedding gifts, and may be for a shower theme (bedroom, kitchen/bath, etc.). The shower gifts are often more geared toward the bride specifically (since she'll be opening them), whereas the wedding gift might be something for the couple.

At the wedding, there is usually a table for gifts and a basket or box for cards. Cash/cheques are generally only given by family, but gift cards are becoming very popular for everyone to give. (Usually a gift card for the store they registered at.) The amount isn't usually based on the cost of your plate though, but rather on how close you are to the couple and/or how much you can afford to give.

Some people deliver the gift directly to the couple after the wedding (there is often a gift-opening the next day for family and out-of-towners), and some send a gift card in the mail.

Answer 3

I am from South Louisiana and we do the bridal shower. Where only girls and women close to the bride are invited and they buy gifts or money. Then at the reception anybody who wasn't invited to the shower leaves a gift set up at a table. It can either be a gift or money. Whatever they feel comfortable giving. Then we also do the money dance. Where the bride and groom are actually paid to dance with for about 4 or 5 songs. We also have like buffet meals. No sit down dinners unless your really really really wealthy. I have never been to a sit down dinner wedding. And it's funny because all the caterers down here offer their menus like that. With so many different cajun style dishes and it's this amount. If you want sit down you have to get an actual restaurant to cater.

Answer 4

I'm in Western Canada. There are bridal showers, for which you bring a modest gift. For the wedding, you would give a more substantial gift like an appliance, electronics, art, etc. Only family members would give money. No one even thinks of a gift of money to cover the cost of food, because it's the couple hosting the wedding, and they would have budgeted the numbers accordingly. What you do in regard to this seems so cold....

Answer 5

In the south we have showers, and at the wedding, people who were not invited to a shower or were unable to attend bring the gifts to the reception. If a person wants to leave money, its left with the gifts or on a money tree if someone has one. Their is ussually an empty table set up near the entrance so people can put the gifts there, and toward the end, servers and hostesses help load the gifts up!

Answer 6

It's done pretty much the same in the Chicagoland area. However, sometimes people do bring physical gifts to the wedding. But they're usually cards with checks and money.

I have been to some weddings around here that also have the dollar dance.

Answer 7

In the Southwest,and my parents had never heard of it until they went to a wedding for a friend (they didn't believe me about this beforehand), people give normal gifts, but what they have is called a money dance, where you pay money to dance with the bride or groom or both. The money goes towards the honeymoon for the couple.

Answer 8

presents at the shower, presents, gift cards or cash at the wedding (illinois). If we're lucky, our parents pay for the wedding, or at least a good pard of it. The money at the wedding is meant to spend on your honeymoon or things for your new home.