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If you recieved an invitation, the ettiquette thing is to still send a gift if you cannot attend
I don't think there is a strict protocol. If you are close to them I would send a gift whether you attend the wedding or not. If you aren't that close than it is really up to you if you get them something and how much you spend.
I actually voted no because a gift should never be required especially if you are not attending the wedding. I think if you send a gift it is a very nice gesture. I have actually received gifts from couples who are not able to come to the wedding. It is very nice of them.
So do what you wish.
PS: Although I believe it is not required to bring a gift, I will always bring one. Honestly, if someone shows up without a gift, I don't care. I invited my guests because I want to celebrate our union with our closest family and friends. I know there will be a few people showing up to my wedding without gifts. The economy is tough and some of them are jobless. I am more happy that they are there.
I personally don't think it's strictly necessary, but if you want to send them a small something to say you are thinking about them on their day, I'm sure it would be appreciated :)
Honestly, when people say that you don't "need" to send a gift for a wedding, I want to ask them for their name and address so I know not to send them an invitation to mine. ;) That being said, I don't think you need to send anything if you've declined an invitation, although if you want to, I'm sure the couple will appreciate it.
Traditional etiquette says you don't have to bring a gift to a wedding. I personally would never dream of showing up to a wedding empty handed and I think if you can't go you are supposed to still send a gift. I tend to send one that is a bit smaller than if I attended but it also depends on my relationship to the couple. I'd say find a moderately priced gift off their registry and send it with a note saying you're sorry you couldn't make it.
Are you inviting these friends to your wedding? If so, would you feel bad if they came to your wedding and brought a gift and you hadn't given them a gift? I would!
Hi Bees!
Thanks for the input!
@ DaisyBride We weren't planning on inviting them to our wedding (we're not that close), but after we got their invite, now we're not sure if we should maybe invite them - but that's a whole other discussion. Their wedding is across the country, and we just got the invitation for it, so we unfortunately can't make it. If we were able to go, we'd definitely give a gift though!
I think what's confusing me is that we totally weren't expecting to be invited to this wedding, and it seemed kinda last-minute, since it is really soon and it would be across the country for us.
So it seems like the general consensus is: If we go, definitely bring a gift (which is what we always do; showing up empty-handed is just not "done" for the weddings I've been to). If we don't go, you should still send a gift (but it's up to you).
Thanks everyone!
Personally, I've never heard that it was required to send a gift if you were not attending the wedding. I've done both in the past, depending on how close I am with the bride/groom.
There's no 'depends' option so I didn't vote. If you are really close to the couple, yes, definitely! If you're so/so or not very close I think it's your call. It would be polite and appropriate to send one regardless, but gifts aren't even technically required from guests.
I think that out of courtesy and etiquette, you should send a gift if you are unable to attend a wedding.
Outside of etiquette I think it's nice to send a gift regardless. Well, maybe at least a card. Just to let the couple know you were thinking of them and wish them well. I was kind of bummed out when we never even heard from friends and family that couldn't come (and just check "no" on the RSVP card without explanation.
It depends on your relationship with the couple! If you aren't that close, I think a nice handwritten note on the RSVP, or maybe enclosed in a card "So sorry we couldn't make it on your day-- congratulations x & x" is sufficient. I got invited to the most RANDOM wedding ever last month (a guy from my highschool who was one year older than me and who I was on debate team with, and who I literally have not seen or spoken to in 8 years). The first thought that came to mind was "Wow, did they just invite every single person they knew?" I could hardly remember his last name, much less expect to be invited to his wedding. We sent a card and politely declined, but I didn't feel obligated to send a gift at all.
I send gifts wehn we can't be there, but if money is tight I think you could skip it. I don't think the B list thing makes a difference.
I'm the type who brings a hostess gift to a dinner/house party, so there are only a few situations where I could imagine not sending a wedding gift...
Unless it was a total random invite and you haven't seen or spoken to the couple in years, I'd still send something small. If they have a registry you can always have the store "deliver" it for them, so you don' thave to worry about that aspect.
I would. Part of it is based on experience in planning my own wedding. It kind of hurts to get a response card back with a simple "no" with no other form of communication. At least send a card.
UPDATE
Thanks for your input, Bees! I RSVP'd online (they had an online system) and included a note saying we're sorry we can't be there on their special day. I also bought something off one of their registries to be sent to their apartment, with a similar note expressing regrets we couldn't be there. Still undecided on whether we are inviting them to our wedding (they weren't on our original list, so I don't know if this surprise invite changes things)
Thanks! 
I voted no, and I think the girls already made my point, I don’t think a gift is ever something you HAVE to do, but it is nice gesture, maybe you can send then a nice card?
I am in the camp of a gift is never a MUST. Do what you feel is right. We didn't invite gifts to our wedding, we invited people. That being said, I would definitely send a card though at least, with a nice hand-written note.
As for deciding whether or not to invite them, my uncle gave me some very good advice. "Do you want them at your wedding? If you do invite them, if you don't, don't invite them. The decision on whether or not to attend is theirs." We tried to follow this for our guest list and some people we never thought would be able to make it are putting forth the effort to come! Its so exciting and we're so glad we decided to send them the invite!
it's totally up to you. i love to give gifts, so i always send one, whether or not i attend. if i go to the wedding, i usually give money (along with something personal if i'm close to the couple). if i don't go, i usually send something off the registry (again, along with something personal if i'm close to them).
While gifts are never necessary the right thing to do would be a gift. Even if it is something simple. It is the thought that counts and people do notice.
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Hi Bees!
FH and I were invited to a friend's wedding, but we won't be able to make it. Are we supposed to send a gift? If so, would it be for the amount if we had attended, or less? Not sure what the protocol is here.
As an FYI - we're not super close to the couple. Close enough to be invited, but I *think* we might have been B-listers. Not sure if that makes a difference!
Thanks!