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Received a marriage announcement for a couple attending our wedding... do we...?

posted 1 year ago in Etiquette
  • 1 Members Subscribed To Topic
  • poll: What should we do?
    Send a card only : (28 votes)
    25 %
    Send a gift : (68 votes)
    61 %
    Do nothing : (12 votes)
    11 %
    Other : (3 votes)
    3 %
  •  
    1.
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    Bee Keeper
    oracle    October 23, 2010   Los Angeles

    What's the proper thing to do when receiving a wedding announcement?  Send a gift?  Send a card?  Send??

    The couple that sent it eloped last month and sent a card with their picture.  They will be attending our wedding, if that makes a difference to anyone.

    I asked FI if he planned to send a gift, and he said no.  I'd at least like to send a card... what's the verdict, hive?

     
    2.
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    Bumble
    Beekeeper
    noritake22    March 31, 2011   Seattle

    If it were me, I would send a card and a gift. They are close enough to you that you are inviting them to your wedding, so that is what I think would be best.

     
    3.
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    183 posts
    Blushing bee
    Miss Beach    April 30, 2011   North Carolina

    It ultimately depends on what you guys are able to do. If they are close enough to you guys to be invited to your wedding, then I would send them a card and gift. If money is really tight right now, maybe just a nice card with a note congratulating them.

     
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    Beekeeper
    Gemstone    July 2011   Cincinnati

    I think I'd send a card and a gift—or maybe a giftcard.

     
    5.
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    Busy bee
    mandalee0624    October 2, 2010  

    I'd send a card w/ something in it.

     
    6.
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    Helper bee
    Carpie    May 28, 2011  

    I would send a card with probably a gift card inside. I'm sure if you sent the card only it would be just fine though, they probably aren't expecting anything.

     
    7.
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    2,389 posts
    Buzzing bee
    jackie-o    October 31, 2010   Seattle, WA

    I vote card + gift - - Not to be too repetative, I think the way @Miss Beach: writes it says it all!

     
    8.
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    615 posts
    Busy bee
    hibiscusgirl    July 23, 2011   Seattle

    I would send a card with a nice note. 

     
    9.
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    Helper bee
    Miss Sequoia    May 21, 2011   Berkeley, CA

    Card only. No gift necessary; nice if you want.

     
    10.
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    Bumble bee
    guitargirl    October 2009   Ohio

    I would send a card.

     
    11.
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    Bumble bee
    sand dollar    September 25, 2010   Lake Jackson

    At least send a giftcard, then they can pick up something they like to begin their new iife together. I think that would be a sweet thing to do

     
    12.
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    1,434 posts
    Bumble bee
    JenniMichele    May 22, 2011   Huntington Beach, CA

    I said "Card only." I wouldn't send a gift. (Money is tight right now-- I probably would send a gift it that was not the case.)

     
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    Buzzing
    Beekeeper
    bells    June 26, 2011  

    i would send card only.. 

     
    14.
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    Honey bee
    abbyful    June 7, 2011   Kansas City

    I'd send a gift.

     
    15.
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    Busy bee
    prettyflowers    September 2010  

    I'd send a gift or gift card if you are close with them.  If you expect they'll get you a wedding present, I think it's the right thing for you to get them one too.  It's a reflection of the relationship you have with them, as opposed to a "cover your plate" mentality.

     
    16.
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    Helper bee
    CapeBoundBride    June 3, 2011   MD/VA -legally wed 4/22/11

    @prettyflowers: You said exactly what I was thinking.

     
    17.
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    Helper bee
    sf_carrie       San Francisco

    Maybe a card with a bottle of champagne? 

     
    18.
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    169 posts
    Blushing bee
    nannettenicole    July 31, 2010  

    I have a theory on this, everyone can afford to give some sort of gift. I would much rather have a 5 dollar gift that was well thought out and had the best intentions rather than 10 or 20 dollars in cash or gift card. To me it shows hey im short on cash but i spent the time to find you something nice. Oh yes and a nice note or card.

     
    19.
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    Bumble bee
    neontl    April 2011   Seattle, WA

    It is really up to you. Depending on the depth of your relationship, it should at least send a card with your congratulations, and perhaps a gift if you would like. Since they eloped, I would hope that they aren't expecting a gift, so you should have the freedom to do as you would like.

     

     
    20.
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    Sugar bee
    clarebee    August 21, 2010   Vienna, VA (wedding in Greensboro, GA)

    I would probably send a card with a check or if they registered somewhere (im doubting that they did) I would get thim a giftcard to the place they registered and include it in the card.

     
    21.
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    Buzzing bee
    Ella1978    June 19, 2010   Cleveland, Ohio

    I would send a gift.  They clearly aren't expecting anything, but I agree that if they are close enough to you to be at your wedding, that you should probably send them something for theirs.

     
    22.
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    Blushing bee
    delight    July 2, 2011   Ontario

    I would send a card and a gift. You could get them a gift certificate for a nice restaurant. I'm sure any newlywed would appreciate that!

     
    23.
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    Busy bee
    MrsJKH2be    October 2010  

    Are they having a reception down the road?  We had friends who did this (she was preggers) and then sent the announcement.   HOWEVER, on the announcement they stated they would be having a renewal of vows and reception the following year.  We saved the gift buying until the next year. 

    I would send a small gift/gift card/wine and a congratulations card - just a little something to acknowledge the ceremony

     
    24.
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    Bee Keeper
    oracle    October 23, 2010   Los Angeles

    Thanks for your input, everyone.  They are not having a reception, etc. down the road and it was a little hard to gauge because I'm not friends with them (I've never met the wife - I'll be first meeting her at the wedding).  The husband used to work with FI and that's the connection.  When I asked FI if she should send something - he looked confused at why we would and said 'no'.  

    I do love the card and a bottle of champagne or wine route... although, FI just may want to do a card....

    FOLLOW UP QUESTION:  Would it be strange to give them a present at our wedding?

     
    25.
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    Blushing bee
    Mrs. Alias    October 24, 2009  

    Hmm.. well they aren't hosting an expensive party so that sort of changes things. I would probably give them 1/2 of what I would have given as a wedding guest or at least a card to acknowlege their marriage.

     
    26.
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    Busy bee
    Violet Violet    July 2, 2011   CT/NY

    I like the idea of a card and gift card.  Especially since they are close enough to you, that you invited them to the wedding. 

     
    27.
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    Busy bee
    coffeekitty    November 2010  

    i would send a card and a small gift, like a $30 gift card to bed bath and beyond or a nice box of chocolates...

     
    28.
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    Buzzing bee
    JennyW1    February 19, 2011  

    Do what you want.

    Traditionally, announcements are literally to announce the marriage for mundane life things--like updating your address book. They're not solicitations at all, so you don't need to do anything and the couple isn't expecting you to. However, if you'd like to send a card (or a gift) it's a very nice thing to do.

     
    29.
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    Helper bee
    CapeBoundBride    June 3, 2011   MD/VA -legally wed 4/22/11

    In general, gifts shouldn't be treated like an exchange for having a wedding reception. It shouldn't be a gift for a meal or gift for a party sort of thing.

     
    30.
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    Newbee
    mskaila    September 24, 2011   London

    Maybe it has already been said, but at least send a card :) And gift if you want!

     
    31.
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    Buzzing bee
    sapphirebride    December 31, 2010   Seattle, WA

    I wouldn't trust too much that your fiance said you shouldn't give a gift--many men really don't know the etiquette of gift giving. If I am financially able, I always give a gift to a wedding invite or wedding reception. As long as you see the wedding gift as a gift for the the fact that they got married and not a gift to pay for your meal at a reception, then a gift is definitely warranted.

    I would *not* recommend bringing their gift to your own wedding...You could have your fiance call and arrange to drop something off at their house, mail a card with a giftcard, or have a gift sent to their house.

     

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