| The best wedding gifts are the gifts that the | | | | Ushers. It is their job to spread the word as to |
| Bride and Groom want. The Bride and Groom that | | | | what you might like and where your guests can |
| live a formal lifestyle will probably receive more | | | | find your preferred gifts. Traditionally, this would |
| formal gifts than the couple to be living a casual | | | | be a department store featuring items such as |
| lifestyle. However, it is always best to work off a | | | | china, silverware, etc., but today it may also |
| list composed by the wedding couple since they | | | | include hardware and garden supply stores, |
| may want some things that they would not | | | | electronics or music stores, travel agencies, |
| ordinarily purchase for themselves. | | | | mortgage brokers, favorite restaurants, or even |
| For Your Wedding or For Your Married Life | | | | online gift stores such as ours. |
| Depending on your resources, you may want | | | | Guests Take Their Clues From the Bride and |
| your guests to contribute items for use at your | | | | Groom |
| wedding ceremony or wedding reception. In some | | | | This includes your choice of locations for your |
| cultures, this is expected of certain relations of | | | | reception and the "Invitation" (which sets the |
| the wedding couple or families. Some couples may | | | | stage for the event). Better invitations get better |
| prefer to purchase these wedding day items | | | | gifts. The small extra cost of upgrading this item |
| themselves and request that their guests give | | | | is not where you should economize if you want |
| them traditional wedding day gift items for use in | | | | the best gifts. But only upgrade your invitation in |
| their married life. Some Brides and Grooms who | | | | proportion to the event itself to obtain the |
| have already established households may prefer | | | | desired result. |
| to receive non-traditional gifts or donations to | | | | Can We Ask for Money? |
| charity in their name. | | | | Maybe. If you need money, discuss the |
| Making Your List | | | | appropriateness of this with the people involved in |
| For a Bride and Groom to get what they want, | | | | planning your wedding. Consider a "Money Dance" |
| they would do well to spend the time to make a | | | | if this is part of your tradition, or create a new |
| list. Guests will want to give you something that | | | | tradition in a tasteful way. Do not insult your |
| will last, so keep that in mind as you add to your | | | | parents or culture if this is not your tradition. No |
| list. Be sure to list items in differing price ranges, | | | | one wants to remember you as the "bratty kids" |
| since not all your wedding guests will want to | | | | who were not gracious about accepting gifts. |
| spend the same amount. Categorize the list into | | | | Summary |
| groupings of items likely to be purchased at a | | | | Give your guests choices by make your |
| single location. | | | | preferences known without being demanding. |
| Let Your Guests Know What You Want | | | | Allow your guests to purchase what they wish |
| It is not appropriate to include this information in | | | | within their own budget. Be thankful at the |
| your wedding invitation. Share your wish list... with | | | | wedding reception and send written personalized |
| parents, siblings, the Maid of Honor and Matron of | | | | thanks after the wedding. |
| Honor, Bridesmaids, Best Man, Groomsmen, and | | | | |