What to do about a wedding gift? HELP!!!!?

Question

I was invited to a wedding and I don't know what to do about a gift. I don't even know the bride or groom (the groom is the son of a coworker). I've never even met the bride and I've only met the groom once a few years ago. Since both the bride and groom are complete strangers to me, I don't know what's the proper etiquette for gift-giving, or if it's even required that I give a gift. They aren't registered anywhere, so I can't refer to a gift registry for ideas. I've never been invited to a wedding of strangers before, so I don't have any past experience to draw from. Do I get a gift or not? How much should I spend?

Update:

I'm going to go to the wedding, simply out of courtesy for my coworker. But I've opted out of going to the reception since the bride and groom are both strangers to me and I'd feel kind of out of place there.

dlin333 · Accepted Answer

if you attend the wedding you should get a gift, if you don't attend a gift is not necessary, but nice, like all gift giving its always optional its common for the parents to invite a few of their friends and or acquaintances so since you work with the parent its not odd you were invited.  i like the picture frame idea  those are always nice. and a bride usually has weddingpicturess she wants to hang or some nice kitchen item. it doesnt have to be espensive

Educated · Answer

At the wedding guests typically give a wedding card with a CHECK inside. I would give a check for 50 to 100 dollars (whatever you can afford) inside a nice wedding card. Don't give cash...give a check because it is harder for someone else to steal a check than steal cash (gifts at weddings do sometimes get stolen). AND I always put my card in the card box near the END of the wedding reception in case someone does steal it they might take off with the stuff early in the evening not close to the end of the evening.
You should attend the reception. IF you RSVPed then it means they expect you at the reception not just the ceremony! It means they already paid for a meal for you if you RSVPed yes to them. So go to the reception. Eat dinner and stay a few minutes extra and then leave.

♪♫ ßr0wn Eyǝd G!rl ツ ♥ · Answer

I hate to sound rude here but if you don't know the bride and groom, why are you going to attend the wedding? I would just send them a check for $50 - $100 (what you can afford) in a card and decline the invitation.

barthebear · Answer

If you are not going to the wedding,  a card should suffice. If you are going, then get a generic gift like a picture frame or vase and be sure there is a gift receipt so they can return it if they dont like it. I personally would not go.

? · Answer

it is appropriate to buy a gift specially in the weddings...you could buy a pretty picture frame which does not have to be expensive or i think even a photo album would do..these gifts look indifferent

cookie · Answer

You get a gift.  Simply get a card and put $25.00 in it.  Money is always appreciated more at weddings because it usually goes towards the honeymoon.  Attend and take the gift.  Good luck.

Anonymous · Answer

if you are invited just to witness their wedding, you can give gift which is not that expensive like set of cookware, glassware. etc.

? · Answer

If your set on going I've been told you are suppose to spend $50 on a gift ($50 per seat) because that's about how much it'll cost them on average to feed you dinner.

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What to do about a wedding gift? HELP!!!!?

8 Answers