what kind of gift to give someone having a civil wedding?

giomama

Hi all!
   My sister is due to get married in May of next year. She had originally planned on having a wedding ceremony in the park and a smallish reception thereafter. Due to budget and familial conflicts, she called the whole thing off and will just have a civil ceremony- no party- just her and her future husband, There are rumors she may have a very small dinner with just his/her friends- no family. Though this means I nor our family will be involved I do want to give my siter something nice. What is an interesting or unique gift to give someone in this sort of situation?

HELP!

thanks!
- gia

twilight.rose

You know your sister and her FI. What's something they would enjoy? You could get them tickets to an event/concert, a gift card to a favorite store, etc, etc.

You could also go the housewares route and get them something for their home, if you know of anything they need. Since they were originally planning for some guests, do they happen to have a registry you could get ideas from?

kimp67

I would get them whatever you would get them if they were having a larger wedding.  What can they use for their home?  What do they like to do?

nhelene

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_kind-of-gift-give-someone-having-civil-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:beb2ebe6-9dba-40c6-b61e-0e5175c29795Post:76833706-320f-4862-8fd5-40b3659ca64c">Re: what kind of gift to give someone having a civil wedding?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: what kind of gift to give someone having a civil wedding? : <strong>Agree, I'm not sure why you would buy something different just because it is a civil ceremony.</strong>  If you want to give them a gift give them something you know they want.
Posted by MNVegas[/QUOTE]

I think the idea is the couple may not register if they are having a civil cereony with only a few guests.

I'm going through the same thing with my cousin.  Ask them what they want, and if you can't get a straight answer get them a gift card. (or buy them something but include the gift receipt so they can exchange it)

Galaxy8227

I would shop for them like you would for Christmas or something.  Are there activities or hobbies they are interested in?  Something for their home? 

giomama

Good ideas..Thank you! Yes, someone previously mentioned the whole not registering thing. They will not be registering to any one place because they feel bad asking for gifts and not extending any invitations.

 To complicate matters her birthday is a few days away - another thing to shop for! ah! Thanks, again!

trix1223

Are they less married after a civil ceremony than they would be after a church wedding and fancier reception?

I don't really understand the question at all.  What would you give them for a wedding gift had they gone ahead with their first plan?  That's what you give them now.

A wedding is, IMO, a wedding.