Wedding-Gifts-Optional Wedding

Has anyone told their guests that gifts are optional? How do you tell them this?

I really don't want guests to not come 'cus they feel they have to fork over the wedding gift 'cover charge' they feel obligated to give. :(

Re: Wedding-Gifts-Optional Wedding

Most people feel comfortable giving what they can afford. I actually had this conversation to day with my bridesmaid. She said that at one of our friends wedding some people didn't give her a gift. (though, she was not happy about it!)

Re: Wedding-Gifts-Optional Wedding

Do you not want gifts?

Most people that don't want ggifts are usually very wealthy (so it would be just down right greedy and rude to ask) or are older (like a wedding anniversary party for an older couple.)

If you do want gifts, people will give what they can give and.or want to give and that's it. you will have some people that will more than cover their plate and some that don't for whatever reason.

If you don't want gifts, i would place that information on the reception card. if you are getting married at the reception hall and everything is on the one card I would indicate it there. However, putting NO Gifts or Gifts not necesasry will 90% ensure that you will get no gifts so be sure that's what you want to do,.

Re: Wedding-Gifts-Optional Wedding

FH and I are not particular strapped for cash. We are not rich either. We really just don't want people to decline the invitation just because they can't afford the wedding 'cover charge'. I have come across people who have told me that they didn't attend a wedding 'cus they couldn't afford it.

It would be a shame since for us, it's about them coming to celebrate our day, not to come bearing gifts.

My invitations are sent so I can't do anything about it now... :(

Re: Wedding-Gifts-Optional Wedding

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Posted by eden

Has anyone told their guests that gifts are optional? How do you tell them this?

I really don't want guests to not come 'cus they feel they have to fork over the wedding gift 'cover charge' they feel obligated to give. :(

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I am not sure if I am going to be some help here or not, but since I had to invite people to my wedding after the RSVP were due. (We didn't make our minimum by a lot.) I just stated that we would love to have you at our wedding and that we apologize for not inviting you sooner and that there you shouldn't feel obligated to bring a gift since your company would be gift enough.

Of course, as I said this was a special case since I didn't want to be tacky about inviting them after the fact. Though some of the other brides informed me that most people don't come empty handed. They bring what they can.

Hope this helps.

Re: Wedding-Gifts-Optional Wedding

well, IMO, i think its THEIR problem if they don't come to your wedding because they ' can't afford it'... they would be missing out on a good time and celebration.... guests should give what they can afford to, and not base their RSVP on whether they can afford to cover their plates or not.