When to give gifts

SmallenForever

We were planning to give the wedding party their gifts at the rehearsal dinner. Is that appropriate? Or is there a better time to give them their gifts? I didn't want to do it on the wedding day beause I didn't want to burden them with making an extra trip to their car.

Also, we plan to giving our pastor a gift, along with a family friend who is playing piano for us, and for a relative that is acting as our MC. I was planning to give the pastor his gift at the wedding (money), and send the other two their gifts in the mail with a thank you note. However, if I give the wedding party their gifts at the rehearsal, but no one else, will they be upset and think they aren't getting a gift right then? 

Also, we were planning to give all the parents photobooks after the wedding. Should I tell them that? I can totally see FI's family getting huffy because they weren't gifted. 

Sorry for so many questions!

Jager1219

I understand where you're coming from.  We're having a large RD with all OOT guests invited (but basically this is immediate family).  Since FI's parents are hosting this and my parents are hosting the wedding, the fathers are making toasts at their respective events.  We're planning on making thank-you toasts to the parents and the WP and giving gifts at the RD.  I was thinking it might not be a good idea because there will be other family members in attendance who we aren't giving a gift to, but then again, I've been the date of my FI to many RD of weddings that he's been in and never thought it odd that I wasn't getting a gift.

That said - since everyone will be in the room at that time, I'd give all gifts at once.  For the parents, give a card & write that a surprise gift will follow post-wedding.  For the ones that you were planning on mailing, I think it's fine to do something similar.  A small thank-you to acknowledge them with a card saying that they will be getting a gift in the mail.

mvance3

If it were me, I would give everyone their gifts at the rehearsal dinner.  As far as your parents' gifts, I'd say it's ok to wait since you want to give them wedding photos, but maybe a nice thank you card with a heartfelt note in it.