Hello my darlings! How is your day going so far? Personally I am enjoying the summer heat and trying to relax while I'm catching up with work. I absolutely adore summer! ♥
In case you forgot, wedding season is on, at the moment, and the struggle is real. Not just for the brides and grooms to be, but also for the guests. Because even if you are opposed to the idea of marriage or you are too young to get married (like me), you still have to attend. And God knows how many weddings we'll have to go to this summer.
Sure, planning an entire wedding from scratch is no picnic, but attending one also comes with things to worry about. What will I wear, who should I bring as my +1, what kind of gift should I get them?
Luckily for us, Zola is here to help. It's an online platform for wedding planning and registry, where you can find useful tools and a wide selection of wedding gifts. Since they are bomb when it comes to weddings and I kinda shop for a living, I teamed up with them to give advice to wedding guests regarding the gifts.
Let's start with some basics. Usually, the couple will provide you with some guidance on that matter. A registry, a bank account to deposit money or (if you are close) a gift suggestion. It goes without saying that you ought to follow their will.
Giving the couple money or gift certificates is perfectly acceptable and, some would say, easier. They could use it for their honeymoon or to buy something they need for their new home. Just make sure that you deposit the money on their bank account and not show up with a check the day of the wedding. #classless
Same thing goes for the gift. It is rather distasteful to bring your gift to wedding and it may cause discomfort to the couple as well. You should send it to them prior to the wedding and make sure that it's clear that you got it for them. This way, they will be able to send you a thank you note once they return from their honeymoon.
The gift should reflect your relationship with the couple and show that you put a lot of thought to it - especially if they matter to you. Also, if they brought you something expensive at your wedding, you should probably do the same.
If you are close with them, you may be tempted to get them something funny or inappropriate. Don't 😝. Opt for something more classy and timeless that they could keep for years and years.
Moreover, if you only know one of them personally, it's no right to get a gift just for one of them. Their wedding symbolizes them becoming "one" and that is what the gift should be about. Get something that they could both use.
As for the budget, it depends on your finances and on your relationship with the couple. The closer you are, the more you need to spend. If you are involved in the wedding (bridesmaids etc), the gift should be pretty high end and boujee (300$ +)
If you don't know the couple that well and they just invited you out of politeness, you could get away with a pretty cheap gift. Get them photo frames, inexpensive kitchen tools (like frying pans, woks, mixers etc), trays, towels, platters and home decorations.
For friends and family that you are not extremely close to, the price rises a bit. Kitchen appliances are always great (toasters, slow cookers) and so is cutlery and knives. You could alsο get them sets for the bathroom or the kitchen and even china. If you want something chic and efficient, opt for a vase.
If someone you're really close with is getting married, you are expected to spend a bit more. The options here are endless. You could get electronics (camera, TV, stereo), expensive appliances (mixer, espresso machine), vases, pitchers, glass sets, luggage and even furniture. That golden bar cart really caught my eye!
All in all, keep in mind that the gift should come from the heart and should reflect your feelings towards the couple, as well as your personal taste. It should be clear that you were the one who picked it out and that you did it with love.
What do you guys think about all those gifts? Which one would you choose for the next wedding you're invited to? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below and don't forget to visit www.zola.com if you are interested in a free suite of wedding planning tools including wedding websites, a checklist, guest list and registry. ♡
