Wedding Gifting

Do you have seemingly endless wedding gifting questions? Greetabl is here to help!

You’re a total Katherine Heigl, having just ordered your 27th “this could be shortened and worn again” bridesmaid’s dress. It’s likely you’re getting ready to stand by another one of your BFFs on their wedding day, and you couldn’t BE more honored. Because Greetabl thrives on connection, we’ll offer to teach you how to be the best bridesmaid ever (but you likely have that part mastered!). Now, wedding gifting…that part may feel a little less certain for you – so we’re here to share all of our top wedding gifting tips to help you look like the amazing friend you already are. 

And if you’re not in the wedding party this time, you’re in the house party, the honorary caretaker of the couple’s grandparents, or the maker of the groom’s cake. Luckiest of all, you’ve been involuntarily committed to starting the dance floor at the reception. Without thought, you’re stepping in where you’re needed for your loved ones. And of course, for all of these special couples, you’ll need to find a gift (or two or three) to show them how much you care!

Since you’re the super friend and have a LOT to consider, Team Greetabl is here to help you remember *all the things* to properly celebrate the new unions in your life. We’ve totally got you covered from engagement to the ceremony (except for the speech… that’s all you). 

The Engagement

Another proposal sprung up within your circle and you’re scrambling to look up last-minute wedding gift ideas. Don’t stress! There are plenty of ways to make a couple feel all the love, starting with a quick phone call or text. Don’t wait too long – you don’t want the excitement of the moment to pass. 

After the initial outreach, Greetabl is here to help get a custom gift created and out the door quickly. We recommend the Cheers to You Print and Champagne Bubbles… but really, you cannot go wrong :)  

Here are a few tips to pick the perfect engagement gift for your friend: 

1. Consider their personality type: think about what makes your friend tick and send something that you think will totally connect with who they are as a person. Check out our Enneagram gift guide and Love Language gifting quiz to get started. 
2. Remember their partner’s interests, too: Is she into yoga? Is he a vegan? Do they love going to the movies together? There are two people involved in every engagement, so make sure you take both people’s interests (and diets) into account when you send an engagement gift. 
3. Keep it positive: couples get a lot of input from a lot of people when they announce their engagement. Keep your gift and message light, enthusiastic, and positive. Don’t give unsolicited advice and keep any critical comments about the engagement or their partner to yourself for now. 
4. Send something practical for the journey ahead: wedding planning is fun and exciting – and also STRESSFUL! Send the couple something to help with the planning process, whether that’s a mini notebook to keep track of their planning ideas, or a Starbucks gift card for the long days of visiting potential venues. 

Or maybe this isn’t a surprise and you’ve known about the engagement for months. It’s your bestie of all besties, so you’ve had a personalized wedding gift covered for a while. But… are you forgetting anything? Check out our bff engagement guide to make sure you do not miss a beat in celebrating your bestie’s new bling. 

If you’re attending or helping plan the engagement party, remember to make it FUN and celebratory! Here are some quick tips to make the party a night to remember, for both the guests and the couple.  

Remember not all situations look quite the same, so use your intuition and honor the wishes of the couple. If the couple opted to keep things private for a while, don’t make them feel guilty for wanting a low key celebration. If the couple wants to scream from the rooftops, join alongside them. This is about their wishes, not yours!

The Shower 

Chances are you have some level of involvement in the planning and/or execution of the couple’s shower. We recommend getting clear on the guest list, expectations, and timeline ASAP as those pieces are the cornerstone of a successful shower. Don’t let the logistics bog down your progress! 

If you’re feeling a bit lost or overwhelmed, check out this etiquette guide from our friends at The Knot. They tackle asking the larger, bigger picture questions so you can focus on what matters first, then execute tactical details. After all, those pieces always seem to fall into place. 

Once you land the food and decor (you go, you!), don’t forget the gift. Typically, showers are well-suited for giving practical wedding gifts. This is an appropriate time to give the couple something directly off their registry. 

PS – Greetabl makes a great shower invite if you’re looking for something interactive and unique to send to your attendees. We also double as the most adorable favors! Click here to learn more about our Insider membership to get free shipping on every order! 

The Wedding 

You know the basics: make sure to RSVP by the deadline, don’t wear white (unless the bride instructs you to, ahem… Christine from Selling Sunset), and be on time. We don’t need to tell you that, though. You’ve got this. 

The day of the ceremony can be emotionally charged for many, so be sure to leverage your off-the-charts EQ to keep the waters calm. Hiccups, big and small, will happen. Without being overbearing, help where you can as a point person. Remember, the way you react to possible issues has a huge impact on the couple’s reaction. 

To help you stand out in the crowd, here’s what you do need to know: the gift you bring to the wedding day has the opportunity to be a little more personalized. Unique wedding gifts for the couple will leave a lasting impression on their big day and be something they indefinitely hold onto.

For the finishing touch, take adequate time to consider what you’re going to write to the couple. If you’re stuck, this guide will help you construct the perfect sentiment, ranging from formal to funny. 

Some couples will keep all of the cards they receive on their wedding in a special scrapbook or keepsake box (or may even frame a few special ones!), so we suggest sharing some notes of wisdom they can look back on in years to come. If you have a favorite poem, scripture, or quote about marriage, this can be a really thoughtful addition to a wedding gift. 

Our gifting experts are always here to help craft the perfect message! Chat with us online or email [email protected] for help getting started. 

The Marriage

Ring in the newlyweds! You’ve successfully dodged issues with the caterer arriving late and guests showing up without having RSVP’d (or worse… those who weren’t invited). 

Now, it’s your time to walk alongside the couple as they enter into marriage. This is the ultimate opportunity to support your people as individuals and as a couple. Pro tip: don’t constantly ask about married life or when the couple is planning on having kids. Keep being the amazing, supportive person you are! 

We asked the old married folks on Team Greetabl to share some of the things that meant the most to them in their first year of marriage. Here’s what they came up with: 

• Ask how things are going – and listen without giving advice. Seriously, this can go so far for newly married friends. It’s a big adjustment, and sometimes couples just need to vent. 
• Don’t stop inviting them to hangout! If you are single, it can be easy to start leaving the newly married friend off of the invite list of nights out or other group get-togethers – and the newlywed may get caught up in the newness of marriage and forget to reach out to stay connected. Make an effort to be the one who reaches out and keep inviting your friend to spend time with you (and the group in general). 
• Don’t be offended if they aren’t using or displaying your gift the first time you visit their home. Just because it isn’t front-and-center doesn’t mean the gift was unappreciated! 
• Cut them some slack. Thank you cards might take a few weeks (or maybe months) to hit the mail, they may share too many photos – or too few, and you may not agree with every single choice the couple makes. Just remember that you and your bestie didn’t agree on everything before the wedding either (!) and that adjusting to married life takes a little time. Cut the couple some slack and celebrate them as much as you can for as long as you can. 

Missed the wedding? Totally forgot to send a gift? That’s okay! Etiquette says you have 12 months to send something to the newlyweds. For a gift after the wedding has come and gone, we’d suggest a practical gift card (like Target or CB2) to help the couple continue to establish their new life together. 

Alternatively, help keep the newlywed glow going by sending a gift card for a special date night! A Fandango gift card is the perfect option to help the couple have a fun night out. Bonus tip: a personalized message or photos from the big day will also help soften the ‘sorry I’m late’ blow. :)

The Anniversary

The first anniversary of the wedding day is a really special moment to celebrate with your favorite power couple. Send them a little love to remind them that even though their day in the spotlight is over, you’re still thinking of how gorgeous they looked on the big day (and how good that cake was!) — no need to mention their aunt who gave a well-intentioned but ill-advised impromptu speech, or the less than delicious chicken. ;) Looking for some inspo for the perfect first-anniversary gift that doesn’t feel weird? Paper is the traditional gift, so we suggest sending a Greetabl gift, a special greeting card, or even something a little out of the box like concert tickets.

All Your Wedding Gifting Budget Questions Answered! 

Knowing how much to spend on gifts for the shower, bachelorette or lingerie shower, and the wedding day itself can be a minefield – and we know that it can feel awkward to ask about. A good rule of thumb: don’t do anything that is going to be uncomfortable for your budget. Period, end of story. Celebrating your friend’s love shouldn’t send you into a tough financial situation. Here are a few suggestions on how big your gift should be for each wedding gifting moment, but remember that it’s the thought that counts, and your friend will be happy to have you participate in their celebrations (whether you give a gift or not!). 

The experts at Vogue have this guide outlining spending and giving rules for the wedding. They have specific figures outlined if you’re a black and white person, but don’t get too hung up on the dollar amount. Our main takeaway is the 60-20-20 Rule:

• 60% of your budget should be spent on the wedding gift
• 20% of your budget should be spent on the engagement party gift
• 20% of your budget should be spent on the bridal shower gift

Of course, the percentages might fluctuate due to destination bachelorette parties and other factors. Use the breakdown as a guide, with the understanding these ratios are able to change based on the couple’s needs. 

Tired yet? It’s a lot to think about and consider, but this is totally your superpower! We love that regardless of your role in the wedding, you strive to make each couple feel uniquely special on their big day. To you, it doesn’t matter that your weekends are booked solid for the foreseeable future. You see each wedding as an opportunity to show up big for your people. 

Now go get started on creating a wedding-themed Greetabl gift here.