August 2012 Weddings

Who gets gifts?

So my wedding is coming quick, and the rehearsal dinner even quicker. I'm trying to get everyone's gifts together and I want to make sure I have this right - etiquette wise, I guess. I have gifts for my bridesmaids (they have pretty much planned the whole wedding with me, they did the bridal shower, and my bachelorette - I'm so grateful). We got gifts for our groomsmen as well. And our mothers (neither is contributing but they both raised us themselves). We also got a gift for all of the 5 children in our bridal party.

Now here comes the issues: 
Also at the rehearsal will be my father. He hasn't been in my life really, but he will be their at the wedding, and at the rehearsal (although my mom is actually giving me away). We are not very close but I know (or atleast I think) you're "supposed" to get your parents gifts. I have no problem getting him anything but A. do I HAVE to? and B. what can I give him that isn't super sentimental or expensive?

Also at the rehearsal will be my sister (who is not in the wedding) and my brother (who is not in the wedding, but his 2 kids are) - do I get them something? Neither has helped with the wedding planning but will it be weird to hand gifts out to everyone and have nothing for them? This goes for my brother-in-law (his wife - my sister - is a bridesmaid & his 3 kids are in the wedding) and my other bridesmaid's boyfriend (who is a great friend of ours). Do I just not get them anything, or will that be very awkward?

HELP! I've already gotten flack from some of the above people for not having them in the wedding, and so I don't want any more for not giving them a gift... but then again, I don't have the money nor do I feel it's right to get them a gift if it's unnecessary. 
---------- imageAnniversary Follow Me on Pinterest

Re: Who gets gifts?

  • AjoydAjoyd member
    100 Comments
    I think the gifts are a thank you to people for being in your wedding party. Since our parents are paying for the vast majority of the wedding we got them something but nothing too expensive.

    If I were you I would not worry about gifts for people who are not in the WP just because they will be there. Did you do e pics? You could just give your dad one of those in a frame. 
    Married my love 8-25-12 TTC #1 since September 2012. BFP 2-2-13. photo 455d4bc3-3623-4c16-8dd1-1fbc7e99e147.jpg BabyFruit Ticker My BFP Chart
  • I think wedding gifts are only "required" by ettiquette to be given to members of the bridal party and the officiant. FI and I will be giving gifts to BMs/GMs, and we'll give our moms necklaces as a nice gesture, but that's it, really.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • We're giving gifts to our WP, our parents, and I'll be getting a small something for our reader.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_august-2012-weddings_who-gets-gifts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:1fb748ee-7a4e-40eb-b4b4-e553486f4cacDiscussion:7e997c9b-bf03-4a27-ae9b-1ae166003187Post:30309d80-5b4a-48d2-8bfc-5a48392a8729">Re: Who gets gifts?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Did you do e pics? You could just give your dad one of those in a frame. 
    Posted by Ajoyd[/QUOTE]

    I like this idea for the people who you don't really want to get a gift for.  This and a nice note.  For your dad, if you didn't do e-pics you could maybe do a double picture frame with a photo of you (or you and him) when you were little, and tell him you're going to put a wedding pic in the other side.  You could just have the pics be you instead of you and him to make it less sentimental.
    127image 88image 39imageWedding Countdown Ticker
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_august-2012-weddings_who-gets-gifts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:1fb748ee-7a4e-40eb-b4b4-e553486f4cacDiscussion:7e997c9b-bf03-4a27-ae9b-1ae166003187Post:728c1d56-93b7-4317-b745-dee82db4ff3c">Re: Who gets gifts?</a>:
    [QUOTE]We're giving gifts to our WP, our parents, and I'll be getting a small something for our reader.
    Posted by punkyalicia[/QUOTE]

    This is what we are doing. We decided to get all of our parents the same gift, a personalized photo frame. My FI has a similar situation to the OP, but it just wasn't worth the headache to try to do a less valuable gift for his dad. We are honoring his mother in other special ways during the ceremony. 
  • What are you guys giving your officiant? I figured I'd just give him a check or cash in an envelope / with a nice card. Is that acceptable?

    And what kind of gift should I get my readers? One is my God mother, one is my aunt and the other is FI's Godfather. What do I do?
    Daisypath Anniversary tickers
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards