wedding gift etiquette?

Question

I was invited to an italian wedding recently and the invitation had no gift registry. Does that mean they do not want a gift or does it mean they want money? I'm not sure if this a cultural thing because I'm not italian and I am not sure of their traditions.

Answer 1

I'm 100% Italian and I did the same thing for my wedding.

It's considered in very poor taste and basically disgraceful to include registry info in a wedding invitation. The registry info was probably included in the shower invites. Or if there was no shower, it may be because they were living together...also considered very poor taste to have a registry if you already have established a household.

I don't know how "Italian" these people are, but traditionally, the "old school" Italians would never dream of buying gift, money is considered the only appropriate gift. But if you're set on purchasing a gift, ask around especially if you know someone who went to the shower. And if not, a gift card or anything special you want to give them is perfectly acceptable.

Answer 2

Italian Wedding Gift Etiquette

Answer 3

Crier, the invitation is not supposed to have registry information in it, thats rude to do that.. Call the bride or a close family member for that infomation, someone will be happy to direct you to the store where the registry is.
As far as I know, Italians are the same as every other person, they want mostly money, but some nice gifts off the registry are fine.
Depends on the culture the person comes from. Do Italian brides still carry a wedding purse to the reception for the cards with the money in them? Bet they have some sort of purse or box to put them in.

Answer 4

Actually, traditionally, it is considered rude to even mention a registry to guests unless the guests ask the couple. Guests, traditionally speaking, should ask the married couple or family of the couple if they have a registry or what they might like. Upon learning this, I thought it was strange, but I have not been to many weddings especially in this part of my life. And many couples now are not doing things traditionally.

Unless the couple are well off and are not attached to material things, I would get them a gift regardless. In any case, I would still ask if they had a registry somewhere. There's online registries as well as in store registries. If they have on at a store, you can go there and tell the couple's names.

If they want only money, they will probably tell you once you ask if they have a registry, and if they don't have a registry and you ask them what they want, then they will more than likely tell you if they'd rather have money or not.

It really depends on the couple. The best thing to to is to ask. The worst thing to do is to not do anything about it. (Although if you can't afford anything, the least you can do is get or make a card ;) )

Answer 5

Neither. Not all couples go the gift registry route. Many prefer that you choose a gift and give it to them. Especially if the couple hasnt been living together and hasn't accumulated a lot of household goods. You can give money if you wish, but a gift is really more personal. Some stores give a blank receipt, especially for gift giving, that tells the name of the store, but doesn't put a dollar amount on the receipt. If the couplel has a duplicate gift, or want to change the size or the color or whatever, they hand in the gift receipt when they take the gift back and through the magic of computers, the proper linkages are made and they can apply that same amount to whatever they want in the store. Or get a cash refund.

Answer 6

I don't know what their traditions are either, but there could be several reasons why they didn't include gift registry info.
1)They forgot to include it.
2) They haven't finished their registry's yet and will mail them out later.
3) Or maybe they just haven't registered anywhere and would rather trust that their friends and family will pick out the best stuff for them.

Either way, you can never go wrong with a gift card or just giving money. If you know what stores they like to shop in, you can give gift cards for their favorite stores. Do they eat out a lot? A gift card for a nice restaurant will work too.
If you really don't know, you can get them a generic gift card for their local mall. Those can be spent at any store in the mall.
But, if you decide to give them money, which is always a safe choice, write out the check and place it either in a nice card, or attach it to the money tree at the reception (if they have one).

Answer 7

Is this person a friend of yours? I'm guessing so since you got an invitation. I would just ask her if she is registered somewhere, so that you can get her something from her registry. If you are on the groom's side, then ask him
It is always appropriate to give a gift when you are invited to a wedding, unless the invitation specifically says "no gifts".
If all else fails, a gift certificate to a restaurant, or money is appropriate.

Answer 8

You aren't supposed to put a registry list in the invitation. The proper thing to do is to make no mention at all of gift in the registry (not even a list of the places you're registered - less tacky than asking for $$$ but not by much). Call the bride or groom or bridesmaid or family member and ask where the couple is registered.

Answer 9

Wedding gifts are customary in Italian culture. Not having a gift registry just means they are not tacky enough to mention gifts on their wedding invitation.

Answer 10

Generally, it is acceptable to bring a gift to the reception unless it is a "destination wedding." At most weddings I have attended, a gift table was provided at the reception and the couple either opened gifts at the reception or went to a house with family and close friends to open the gifts. The family of the bride or groom should handle keeping the gifts for the couple until they return from their honeymoon, if the couple is leaving immediately following the festivities. Since you haven't given the gift, I would say that it's not too late. I am certain they would still welcome your thoughtfulness in helping them to settle into their new life. You could either deliver the gift personally to the couple or send it by mail, at this point.