Understanding Proper Wedding Gift Etiquette

Soon after you give out the wedding invitations you will notice that the gifts will slowly start pouring in.  This slow pour will soon becomes a steady shower as you get closer and closer to your wedding date. 

You and your fiancé can share the enjoyment of opening up a beautiful package almost everyday up until the day of your wedding.  You will then discover those who have an expensive taste in giving gifts and chose to buy you that $400 recliner or something else just as expensive. 

On the other hand, you will also receive gifts from guests that totally ignores the list the you have in your registry and buys you something that you have absolutely no idea what it is used for.  Whatever the gift may be, you would need to keep track of who sent it so you can write them the proper thank you note.

Below are few solutions that would solve some wedding gift etiquette dilemma that could come in your way:

1.  If you happen to get the same gift from two different people, it is acceptable to exchange it for a different one.  But it would be wise to wait until you have received most if not all of your presents before you start replacing them or you could still end up with a duplicate gift if the exchange is done prematurely.

2.  It is not appropriate to display the gifts that you have already received at the reception, especially monetary gifts. They could be shown in your house before or even after the wedding, but should not be exhibited at the reception place.  Monetary gifts in the form of a written check should be deposited immediately.

3.  At the reception, assign a close relative or a trusted friend to look after the gift table while the guests are still arriving and then put the gifts away in a different room, preferably one that can be locked during the reception.  This will guarantee that the gifts that are brought to the reception site remain safe.  Ideally, gifts should be sent to the bride's or the couple's home.  If the reception is held at a hotel, ask the front desk clerk if the hotel has an available safe deposit box where you can keep the monetary gifts.

4.  If you happen to receive a gift that you simply have no interest in keeping or just don't have any use for, it is ok to return it in exchange for something that is more to your taste. This could be a delicate situation though and getting rid of the gift could probably only work if the person who gave it to you rarely visits your home.  If the present came from one of your in-laws, the proper way to handle it is to just keep in your closet and bring it out when he/she comes to visit.

Article by Roger Mayne of Surrey Weddings wedding directory