COVID-19 has affected every aspect of lives, and weddings are no exception. Some of us are participating in weddings over the internet, while others might be in attendance from at least 6 feet away from others.
While the way in which we attend and celebrate weddings has changed temporarily, gift-giving etiquette has not. In today’s post, we’re going to discuss a few quick wedding gift etiquette tips you might have forgotten in the midst of everything that’s happened in recent months.
At Personal-Prints, we make it easy to give wedding gifts that speak from the heart. Check out our catalog to view all of our romantic art prints if you’re still searching for the perfect gift!
Four Important Gift Etiquette Tips
Check the Registry First
First and foremost, always check the couple’s wedding registry to see what they need. More than 90% of couples create wedding registries with hundreds of items at various prices, making it easier than ever to give a gift without leaving your home.
However, you might want to go above and beyond the registry and give them something that you’ve picked out yourself — that’s totally fine, too. Just make sure that you aren’t sacrificing what they want for what you think they would want.
As a concrete example, you could buy the couple a set of dinnerware from the registry and send a personalized romantic art print as a bonus gift. Check out some of our best-selling prints for a few ideas!
Give a Gift If You Were Invited
You’ve probably heard the rule that you should always send a gift, even if you weren’t invited to the wedding. It’s true, although there are some caveats you should know.
First, you should think about your relationship to the couple. Is one of them a close friend you’ve known for years? Are they a distant relative you haven’t seen in decades? Give a gift either way, but don’t feel bad about letting your relationship to them inform the amount you spend.
Send It as Soon as You Can
Despite the rumor that you have a year from the wedding to send a gift, you should send your gift close to the wedding date or as soon as you have the funds to purchase it. Our use of the word “send” is intentional — bringing a gift to the wedding is considered bad form. It’s one more thing for the couple or wedding party to keep track of while they’re trying to celebrate.
All of that said, late gifts are still gifts. If you’re one of the millions of people in the United States who has been financially affected by COVID-19, let the couple know that your gift will be there once you’re in a financially stable position. In all likelihood, they’ve been affected too and will be completely understanding of your situation.
If you’re sending your gift months after the wedding, you may want to check that the couple still needs the item and hasn’t already purchased it.
Don’t Take Offense to Returns or Exchanges
If you purchase a gift from a registry, don’t be alarmed or offended if your gift is returned or exchanged. In some cases, things that looked nice in the store or online just don’t work out in a couple’s home. They might want a different color or model, or they may have decided that they needed something else more urgently.
No matter what the circumstances are, trust that your gift was appreciated and that the couple had a good reason for returning or exchanging it.
Look Through Our Catalog of Personalized Art for Couples
We hope that today’s post will help you as you celebrate the special couples in your life this summer. We’ve barely scratched the surface when it comes to wedding etiquette, so check back frequently for more updates!
At Personal-Prints, our primary goal isn’t to create art — it’s to create memories. When you give the gift of personalized art, you’re giving a special couple in your life something special that reminds them of their unique love every time they see it.
Look through our catalog to find a great gift you can give this summer!
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