Gift Giving on Your Wedding Day
We all know that often, peak times to present someone with a gift each year usually fall upon birthdays, Christmas, and maybe even a gift given to celebrate a big life change; such as a graduation, the arrival of a baby, or moving into a new house.
In addition to those things are particular days you may give a gift if you’re in a relationship with someone, with the most popular probably being for an anniversary.
When it comes to weddings, on the other hand, it’s easy to hear the words ‘wedding’ and ‘gift’ and just automatically think of the guest side of the equation. I mean, they are the ones that supply the gifts more often than not on a momentous occasion such as this, so it’s completely understandable for one to think that way.
However, there is so much more to wedding day gift-giving, and the reasons behind it!
For starters, there are three main categories of people you may want to consider if you’re thinking to yourself - well…who am I supposed to give a gift to??
The first of these being your spouse, followed by your wedding party, and lastly, your parents/important family members.
Giving Gifts to Your Spouse-to-be
Over the years, it's become somewhat of a tradition among couples to have each partner present the other with some sort of 'memento' on their wedding day - and there are so many different ways to make your person feel special, loved, and appreciated, in doing this.
While it’s of course not an integral part of a wedding, these little gifts, if you will, received from your spouse, or, soon-to-be-spouse, on your wedding day, ranging from hand written letters, to jewelry, cologne, etc., can often hold so much more value than you may think.
For example, if a man were to give his wife a perfume, each year on their anniversary, she may decide to put it on and be taken right back to that day. Somewhat similarly, if a watch was given, the person who received it may wear it every day and then pass it on to a future child, for them to have.
No matter what it may be, it's often a way for the couple to look back on their wedding, weeks/months/years into the future, with special memories.
Giving Gifts to Your Wedding Party
Next up are the gifts you may give to your wedding party.
A lot of times, these particular gifts will be given while the bridal party is off on their bachelorette and the groomsmen are at their bachelor party, but if not, then it will most likely be on the wedding day itself.
Whatever your role in the wedding party, it’s common for these gifts to be given as a group gift, but still made slightly individual. For instance, the bride or groom may get all the people in their respective parties the same thing, such as a mug, candle, etc. with the wedding date/location on it, but each is personalized to the specific person and their name, tastes, etc.
A bride may also decide to pay for the bridesmaids’ hair and makeup to be professionally done as their gift, and a groom may purchase shoes or ties for the groomsmen to keep!
Depending on what the gift is, those participating in your wedding may keep the item for a long time and always think back to your wedding each time they see it.
Giving Gifts to Your Family
Last but not least, are gifts you might give to your parents or other close family members.
These are the people that have been with you through the ups and the downs, and have seen you along your journey of ending up with the person you’re about to marry. So, many feel it’s appropriate to present them with even a small token of appreciation for all they’ve done.
Some various ideas can be jewelry, such as a ring or something else wearable, but, some brides and grooms will gift their parents something that they can use throughout the day.
A bride, for example, may give her dad a handkerchief with a sweet message embroidered into it, for him to use at any point during the wedding if emotions start to arise.
If you’re wondering when the best time during your wedding day would be to give these gifts, many times, the gift giving/receiving process happens in the time leading up to the ceremony, and your photographer will make it a point to get pictures of these moments to remember.
If the item is something that can be worn, your partner may put it on immediately and have it the rest of the day. If not, they may just tuck it away with your things until your cars are all packed up at the end of the night.
When it comes to wedding day gifts of any kind, the phrase "it's the thought that counts" couldn't be more true. A wedding is a celebration of two people in love coming together in the presence of their closest friends and family, and when it comes down to it, that is what you should keep at the forefront of your mind.
Don’t stress over trying to find the ‘perfect’ gift or figuring out how much you should be spending on it. It will most likely mean a lot to the person you’re giving it to and they’re sure to love it because it came from you.
