Stolen Gifts

savorystiletto

We just got married this past weekend, and in opening some of the cards from our guests, it looked like some of them had been opened. I assumed it was just from the box they went in, but found out later that there is AT LEAST 3 cards with a decent about of cash in each that were opened and the money removed.
I'm guessing it was someone that worked at the venue that did it because we removed the cards from the gift box and tossed them into a bag that had a gift in it, right next to the bar. During all the commotion and chaos of cleaning up, no one was paying any attention to the gift bag and the bartender disappeared for awhile. I'm guessing he grabbed a bunch of envelopes and opened them, removed the money, and brought the cards back.
I've already talked with the people who's cards were empty (that was uncomfortable!) but am not sure how to proceed now. Any suggestions would be helpful!

HobokensFury

I would contact the venue not to accuse anyone but for them to be aware this happened.  You never know but there may be others that something similar happened too and they can look into it.

savorystiletto

Thanks! We're definitely planning on it. From the guests that I spoke with, this isn't all that uncommon of a thing to happen! It's really sad that someone would do that on such a special day:(

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-recap-withdrawal_stolen-gifts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:12Discussion:887bd71d-1656-4c7d-9be2-7e76089c09a9Post:0e57a5df-f6df-4d2b-9c09-5a39d649586a">Re: Stolen Gifts</a>:
[QUOTE]I would contact the venue not to accuse anyone but for them to be aware this happened.  You never know but there may be others that something similar happened too and they can look into it.
Posted by HobokenBride2012[/QUOTE]

Summer2011Bride

I agree with contacting the venue not in an accusatory way but just as a "heads up" for future weddings or even to inquire if they have video cameras that might have caught something happening.

It could have been an employee at the venue or it could have been a guest (I am not trying to speak ill of your friends and family but there have been stories on TK of that happening, so I'm just throwing it out there). Were there members of the public there as well that could have access? We had ours at a country club but it wasn't just our wedding going on--there were members there dining, as well as a couple other events in different ballrooms. Maybe it wasn't a guest OR an employee but a random person.

Either way, it sucks, but I think it's great you let the guests know ASAP so they know why their check is never getting cashed, etc.

Kristin789

Just another reminder of why people are supposed to send the wedding gift or wedding card AHEAD OF TIME.  Either drop off or mail the gift at the bride's parents' house for unwrapping and display,

mattycam

Sorry about this!

JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-recap-withdrawal_stolen-gifts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:12Discussion:887bd71d-1656-4c7d-9be2-7e76089c09a9Post:42c8dc1e-7e3d-4589-9716-9b6a6ae7dd3f">Re: Stolen Gifts</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Why did you take them out of the card box?</strong>  I thought the entire purpose of a card box was to keep them secure? Regardless, I'm really sorry this happened to you and I agree with the others about calling the venue.  
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

Ditto this!  Also, this is the main reason we don't give cash at a wedding (or any function for that matter).  Sure, checks can be stolen too.....but I'm sure most thieves are just after the cash.

RamonaFlowers

I always write checks for weddings, and I always make sure to make them payable to the bride and/or groom instead of "cash". This is why: you just never know.

I am curious as to why you emptied the card box and then left the cards in a bag that anybody could have made off with. The whole point of having a card box (That's plainly visibile) is to deter stuff like this from happening.

Sorry this happened to you

vexie

That's why we had my aunt empty the card box and lock everything in her trunk after the reception started. She checked back every so often in case people added an evelope later.  We had no issues with missing gifts.

lubutitu

That sucks!  So sorry that happened to you!!

We heard horror stories about stolen cards and whatnot before our wedding, so I did a diy project for my card box and once it was all done, I glued the lid on. It was easy enough to get open once home, but would have been pretty awkward for someone to try and open at the reception. My mom also kept an eye on the box during the reception just in case.

lalans

I never even thought about this issue until the venue this weekend said we should keep the gift cart they had in a certain place I thought was kindof annoying/in the way...the venue person said they like to keep it there to reduce stealing from it.  Sucks, but I'm glad she told me that was the reason!  I'll probably ask my sister to do the checking/keeping of the checks and cash as well.