Wedding Gift List Etiquette
Posted on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
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Wedding gift lists are widely acceptable in the United States, but some people still aren’t so sure about the them in Ireland. It’s a great way for you to get what you want for your wedding, and hopefully not end up with 10 sets of candle sticks and 20 picture frames (unless you want them!). On the other hand, some couples feel it is pretentious telling your guests what gifts you expect! It’s entirely a personal choice, so if setting up a wedding list is something you’re considering, check out our Wedding List Etiquette Guide to make sure your list will work for everyone.
1. Start Early
Believe it or not, there are people out there who will start thinking of wedding presents from the minute you announce your engagement! While not everyone may be quite that organised, it’s a good idea to set up your wedding list early on – people might also use it to buy engagement presents, or to shop early – especially if your wedding will be at an expensive time of year like Christmas.
2. Have a Wide Selection of Gifts on Your List
Unless you’re having an “immediate family only” wedding, you’ll probably have a wide range of guests at your wedding – and they will all have different budgets. While there’s nothing wrong with having a €500 blender on your wedding list, you’ll also need to have a range of items under €50. A good rule of thumb is to have 1/3 of the items on your list under €50, 1/3 between €50 and €150, and the rest over €150. Also, aim to have a large number of gifts on your list, as guests might buy more than one item – especially if they are small.
3. Think Outside the Box
Include items on your wedding list that reflect you as a couple. Wedding lists are available at more than just department stores, so you might want to consider having a honeymoon list, or a charity wedding list – where guests make a donation to your favourite charity (or charities).
4. Create Your Wedding List Together
As tempting as it may be to hit the shops with your friends, while leaving your other half in front of the telly, you’ll want to make your wedding list together. Your guests will be buying gifts for the both of you, remember! Take a day to go through your home and figure out what you might need (or like to upgrade!) Try to split the decisions evenly – he might know a lot about electronics, while you might have ideas for your kitchen or bedroom.
5. Include an Online Option, but Don’t Forget Actual Shops!
If you’re considering having more than one wedding list – at a department store and a honeymoon registry, for example – make sure at least one of them is online, for guests that are overseas, or unable to get to a shop near where they live. Likewise, for guests that may not be too tech-savvy, make sure that at least one of your lists can be found at an actual shop, where guests can choose gifts in person. Examples of shops in Ireland that offer both online and in-shop gift registry services are: Brown Thomas, Arnotts and Kilkenny.
6. Include Gift Vouchers
Even if you’ve hand-picked a wide selection of gifts at different prices, some guests still might prefer to give you a voucher. Many shops will also include gift cards as part of their wedding list service, so be sure to include them on your list. That way you can use them to buy the gifts you’d actually like from your list.
7. Say Thank You!
As people buy gifts from your wedding list, keep a note of what was purchased, by whom, and when. It’ll help you to write your thank you cards after the wedding. And for a list of tips and tricks for writing your thank you notes, check out our Etiquette Guide to Thank You Notes!
