Avoiding actual boxed gifts (at the reception)...

sistergh

A small gripe.  Is there a nice way to get people to ship gifts to you rather than ship them to themselves?  I'm noticing that some things that show up on our registry as fulfilled aren't coming to us.  I really don't think it's because people are buying them in the store, I think it's that people are planning to bring them to the reception.  Our wedding is out of town, though not a real "destination" wedding.  It's WAY easier for us to get the gifts at home.  I don't mind it so much if folks bring gifts, especially if they do get them in person and would have to pay to ship to us otherwise, but I'd appreciate it if I didn't have to schlep a bunch of stuff back.  Any way to deal with this?

katie978

I think, as with most gift-related things, its best to have close friends/family spread the word on mailing to you when they're responding re: where you're registered.  And/or if you have a website that mentions registries, I'd note it on there too.That said, I just had a bridal shower out of town last weekend and was so surprised that everyone except 1 person brought gifts to the party rather than mailing them to us!  I suggest bringing an extra suitcase (or two) if possible.  The other option I considered was returning while in the shower city and then rebuying once we got home. 

sistergh

I'd expect it with shower gifts, because I've always seen gifts brought to the shower.  But I usually mail wedding gifts, so I really didn't think it would be a problem. Do you think it would be appropriate to say something on the website?  I don't want to seem ungrateful, but I don't want to end up with a carful of gifts or with things getting broken, etc.

Meghana55

I agree with katie - ask a couple of family members or friends to spread the word about it.  And adding it to your website would also be a good idea.

DCbride09

We have the same situation.  We're getting in the town where my parents live, and flying straight from there to our honeymoon.  And straight from the honeymoon back to DC.  And it would be way too difficult to carry gifts from the wedding to our honeymoon and back to DC with us.  So we did put a message on our website about how it would be easier for us if people did not actually bring gifts to the wedding and thanking them for their understanding.  I'm sure there will be some that do, but those gifts will stay at my parents' house until we drive up there for Thanksgiving. 

nilaniluv

Yeah it's best if you tell them ahead of time. But regardless some people will bring gifts to the wedding itself. Try to leave extra room in the car or bring another bag. My parents are really weird like REALLY WEIRD about mailing gifts to a wedding because they don't want to show up "empty handed" and we also bought them plates so they didn't want them to break during shipping. I told them it was fine if we mail it and they were just like NO I didn't feel like arguing so whatever. So every Sri Lankan wedding we have been to we have brought the presents and put them on the gift table. Its a hard thing to get around but maybe word of mouth will help. For me no matter what you tell my parents they will bring the gifts so you will have a couple of people who will bring them in hand.