Not having a gift table?

QueerFemme · March 2012

All -

So, we aren't registering anywhere and we don't expect gifts of any sort. We really do just want people to come celebrate with us. I didn't even think about wedding gifts. Those people who have asked us about registeries, we have responded "we really have everything we need and just want your company".

I had no intention of having a gift table or card box. And then I was reading a bunch of reception posts and everyone is talking about buying or making card boxes, decorating the gift table, etc.

My reception space is pretty small, and having an empty table somewhere seems like a waste of space, but now I'm starting to think, even though we didnt' register, people might show up with gifts anyway, and there won't be any designated spot to put them.

Do you think we should have a small gift table anyway? Could gifts just be stacked under, behind or next to the cake table? I hate to have an empty table that could be used for something else.

thoughts?

rlavach · March 2012

Gift tables are usually small, so it's not going to be a huge eye sore. Around here, 90% of guest give cards, rather than boxed gifts. Even if you didn't register, there is a HIGH chance that many of your guests will bring you cards and possibly a few random boxed gifts, depending upon what is traditional in your area. It really won't hurt to have a simple cardbox on a table. I wouldn't put it by the cake table, but do have it somewhere visible. You don't want anyone walking away with it.

Don't worry about how to stack gifts, that's not your job. The reception venue staff will worry about that.

ceh789 · March 2012

My venue and guest list are both quite small - 50 invited and space for well... 55 or so. I am not doing a gift table or card box but I am going to have a table set up near the door with the "guest book" (a print with our names and date and room for people to sign). I expect that if people bring boxed gifts we can place them there. If people hand us cards I'll make FI put them in his pocket. Honestly I don't expect to have many people bring things for us to the day, but I do have a contingency plan.

I feel like as long as you have a plan for what you'll do if people give you a gift or card you don't need dedicated space for them.

QueerFemme · March 2012

I guess I didn't even think to have a contingency plan, since I didn't expect gifts!    I am having a small table for the guest book though, so that is a great idea. I'll make sure there is space for the gifts there.

The venue we booked is more like, just a "space", so there isn't really anyone we are working with, other than to just open the doors and lock up later. We are having and outside person to the food. So, I'm pretty much "the coordinator" (budget wedding!)   I have a spreadsheet with the times of all deliveries and the phone numbers of each vendor as well as a powerpoint slide of the layout of how I want the facility set up. My fiance and future father-in-law is doing most of the setup of the tables the night before (or possibly the morning of).

I am looking for a "day of" coordinator though, just to make sure things flow smoothly, but haven't found that person yet.   Also, my attendants and and I are getting ready in a hotel only about 1/4 mile away... and of of them said "I'm driving over there 3 hours before, before I do my makeup and get dressed, and making sure everything is setup the way we want it !)

thanks for the input everyone. I'll figure out some cardbox or something like that. I guess my initial thought was, if I put out a card box or something, will people think that's rude, since I specifically said "no gifts"?

But, I imagine some folks will bring a card, even if there isn't a gift inside.

thanks again!

ceh789 · March 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_not-having-a-gift-table?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:4bab6c91-8bc6-4f56-ac41-645eca405cf1Post:e916fbe9-29d0-48a3-b913-1cabd2d73444">Re: Not having a gift table?</a>:
[QUOTE]The venue we booked is more like, just a "space", so there isn't really anyone we are working with, other than to just open the doors and lock up later.<div>
</div><div>I am looking for a "day of" coordinator though, just to make sure things flow smoothly, but haven't found that person yet.
Posted by cmgilpin[/QUOTE]</div><div>
</div><div>
</div><div>
My venue is the same - it's a public park building so they'll just be there to open it then make sure we didn't leave a huge mess & lock up.</div><div>
</div><div>I did hire someone to be my "DOC". She's actually my cleaning lady usually, she works for herself and was happy to pick up a few extra hours to do this. Since she's not a pro I'm going to make a very detailed task list/timeline including Visio drawings of how the tables should be arranged for the lunch - then we're going to meet at the venue the Sunday before the wedding (it's open as a museum on Sundays) to run through everything. Also my sister has volunteered to be her troubleshooting contact just in case anything goes wrong - my sister escalateany issues she can't solve to me. I'm paying her $25/hour which is way below market for a DOC in my area.</div><div>
</div><div>One other idea for a amateur DOC - I was going to hire a friend of a friend - he's a grad student/teaching assistant for my friend who is a professor at a local university. I ended up not hiring him because I think 1 person will be enough after making up my list/timeline - but I met him when I needed a dogsitter a few months ago. I asked my professor friend to forward an email to some trusted grad students and I had several really enthusiastic responses. </div><div>
</div><div>Good luck finding someone affordable - with a solid plan and back up plan, I feel really confident in my amateur.</div>

Jdunk2008 · March 2012

I would suggest a small table and don't worry about how it looks. A box for your cards or a pretty decorated basket would make for a prettier scene if thats what your worried about. Congrats!

QueerFemme · March 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_not-having-a-gift-table?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:4bab6c91-8bc6-4f56-ac41-645eca405cf1Post:f432e192-41ca-4063-a781-2b81ed04d811">Re: Not having a gift table?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Not having a gift table? : I'm paying her $25/hour which is way below market for a DOC in my area. One other idea for a amateur DOC - I was going to hire a friend of a friend - he's a grad student/teaching assistant for my friend who is a professor at a local university. Posted by ceh789[/QUOTE]

that's pretty much what I'm shooting for too. The brother of one of my close friends is getting his degree is hospitality management and organizational something or other, and I'm thinking of hiring him. I don't know him well, (just met him once), but he is very nice and my friends swears by him. And, he is a college student so making some extra cash wouldn't hurt. I have everything so planned out, I am not too worried about him not knowing what to do. It is color coded !!! My FSIL is the crisis contact person, in the event he can't figure something out.

I'm thinking of hiring one extra person, just to do cleanup around the venue as the day/night progresses so the cleanup at the end of the reception is easier. But, that person would only be there for the actual reception. The other person I'm going to hire is going to be there from setup, until breakdown.

I'm going to be paying around the same amount you are. Two of my friends offered to do it, but I really want them to enjoy our time, and not worry about anything.

jessicabessica · March 2012

People put gifts on the table we used for the guestbook and escort cards. We also had a cardbox there.

Another DOC idea--I've heard of some people on these boards finding another bride on their local board and exchanging DOC services with each other. If you're willing to do the service for her, it's a great budget option, and a bride in wedding-planning-mode would probably make a good DOC.

librababy · March 2012

I never even thought about a git table. But I am having a card box to put all the cash gifts in. The card box will be set up on the same table as the escort card or guest book table. I guess if anyone brings a gits, they can ste it beside the card box.. but I am not expecting it so i won't have a separate table for gifts.

And great idea on the DOC ideas.. I am looking for someone and have a friend in mind (she is always helping me at my parties, it's just who she is...she kinda takes over and I love that). BUt I also want her to relax and enjoy my wedding so I might look into hiring someone (a college student or something) to just make sure thngs go smoothly according to my timeline and take care of a few things so I don't have to.

Not having a gift table?

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