Gift giving for Destination Weddings

[Deleted User]

What is the appropriate etiquette when travelling for a friends destination wedding?  To give or not to give?

frogurt814

That's really up to you.  If you can afford the costs of traveling and a wedding gift, then go for it.  If you can only afford to travel, then I wouldn't worry about the gift.  You could just give them a nice card.

noodle_oo

Yeah, I'd say it depends on how far/how much it cost to travel.  If it included airfare and hotel, my gift to the B&G would be significantly smaller than if it was a local wedding, just due to the added expenses to go to the wedding.  Maybe like something small off their registry in the $25-50 range.

I will say that I've seen brides on here who have destination weddings that say having their guests come to their wedding is gift enough and they don't expect gifts beyond that.

marissa_claire

I would personally say that if you can give anything, give a giftcard or cash.  Just because I wouldn't want them to have to travel with it.  If you can't afford it, I think it's fine.  I personally wouldn't side-eye guests that don't bring presents.  I'm sure some won't.  Does it suck?  Yeah.  But I'm more interested in seeing people than in getting a present from them.

naomikb

Most people I talk to who have hosted destination weddings said that the guests' presence is their gift, and they don't expect anything in addition.  At the same time, if as a guest you're spending a couple thousand dollars on a flight, resort, etc. it is not that much extra cost but is nice to give them maybe a small item off their registry along with a nice card.  Just make sure you drop it off at their house before the wedding so that they don't have to fly towels & dishes home with them. 

You could also consider something they can use on their wedding trip/honeymoon like a massage at the resort's spa or a zip-lining excursion, you could get a group of people together to buy it for them so it's not too expensive but it's still a nice offering.