Wedding Gift Pondering

Lenore2010

So, we have a wedding to attend next week, and the couple decided against having a registry because they thought it looked "greedy". We love them both, but I have no clue what to get them. My H is insisting that just giving them cash at the wedding looks like we did not care enough to put some effort into thinking of a gift. I say cash is always a good gift! He wants to do a Crate and Barrel Gift card "at least" or better yet, have me think up something all wonderful and creative to get them. I suck at this for weddings in particular. 

So, I am going to put it like this: if you were the bride (or groom, gotta include Vegas here!) would you prefer we:

1. Get you a Crate and Barrel Gift Card.

2. Give you cash.

3. I hit William Sonoma and buy you a very nice, overpriced something or another.

TIA for your help. I realize this is not a brilliant question, but my H has me wondering of others think cash is lazy or cold or something. I do not really know if the couple might think this (or 1/2 of the couple). I know the bride is a new med school grad with loans up to eyeballs, and this wedding has cost them, too.

npasquale16

I might be biased, but definitely cash (actually a check, but you KWIM).  However, that's the only gift I've ever seen at a wedding.  Until I attended a wedding in June with FI, I had never seen actual gifts given at a wedding.  Regardless, cash or at least a gift card allows them to spend the money on something they actually want, rather than having to return someting they don't want. 

Anysunrise

I'd enjoy the cash or gift card.

JenGin74

Cash is never a bad gift.

And ditto npasquale. I've never seen an actual gift at a wedding.

COkristi

I think cash or a gift card is great.

jasmineh7777

Cash is always a good gift. We got tons of boxed gifts though.
My go-to gift when I want something personal but I'm not sure what to get:
Nice wooden picnic basket, picnic supplies (checkered table cloth, two wine glasses, nice disposable plates, etc.) bottle of wine, single use camera.

ohwhynot

Not registering is often a code for "we would really like cash, please, but are not gauche enough to mention that."  Cash is always, always welcome.

 

If your H is worried about being perceived as not thoughtful enough (which is sweet), be sure to write a loving, personal note in their card.  I loved reading cards that had more than just the  giver's signatures on them.  

andy71781

Give them cash - they will totally appreciate it.  If money is tight and they didn't register I think they were trying not be greedy and hoping for cash. 

ricksang

Cash hands down.

[Deleted User]

Cash. Defintely cash.

future-mrs

I gotta vote for cash as well. 

anna.oskar

I'd prefer #3, but that's just me.

I've never been to a wedding out here that didn't have an overflowing gift table. When I lived on the coast, everyone gave cards and it seems like it's just not done much out here.

Plus, I just like giving pretty, wrapped gifts.

awick14

I would vote for cash.

Me and my fiance have lived together for aover a year now and we have so much stuff. and with my new job, we may be moving a bit so I would rather have the money to save up for a house. So when we do settle somewhere we can buy instead or renting.

Lenore2010

I think we will go with the cash (check) and nice card combo. I was just thinking that no registry might actually mean "we need cash!" I will do the card right, though and not just a best-wishes-signed-name kind of thing.

Thanks all!