The purpose of the bridal shower is to celebrate the upcoming wedding event with the bride and her close friends and family, and give the bride something special as a token of your love for her.
We’re frequently asked etiquette questions about the types of gifts to give at the bridal shower versus the wedding, whether cash is appropriate, etc. Here are some of our most frequently asked questions, which may help you as you get ready for purchasing a gift for the next bridal shower you attend.
How can you let guests know where the bride is registered?
This depends on traditions in the area where you live, and it is best to ask family and friends what the practice is in their experience.
In some social circles, it is perfectly acceptable to note in the invitation where the bride is registered. In fact, many locations offering bridal registries print up special cards for the bride to insert into shower and wedding invitations. If you are the bride, remember to select a range of gifts in several price points so guests have a broad selection to choose from.
In other social circles, it is more appropriate for this information to be relayed via an inquiry to the hostess, and is often then passed around by word of mouth.
Can money be requested as a bridal shower gift?
It is generally unacceptable to note in the bridal shower invitation that cash is the preferred gift. This is even though in a recent survey, 78% of consumers said that they would prefer to give cash as a wedding and shower gift. This is especially true as the average age of couples marrying for the first time continues to rise, and many newlyweds already have most appliances and houseware items.
In some areas, a money tree or wishing well is quite common, and if that is the case in your area, a note at the bottom of the invitation about a money tree or wishing well being an available alternative at the shower would be appropriate. Check out the creative wedding wishing well poems and ideas in our related posts noted below.
If cash is really preferred, spread the word using friends and family. Let them know that when guests ask, they can tell them that the bride would prefer cash as a gift. There’s no harm in having them mention this to guests who inquire as to what the bride would most like for gifts at her shower.
If the bride or wedding couple has something they are planning on using the cash gifts for, it is helpful to know so that this can be communicated at the same time as the inquiry, like “Janie and Rob are hoping for some cash gifts, which they plan to use towards the down payment on a new house”. The bride can also mention this in her thank you notes.
As a guest, if you wish to provide cash or a check to the couple within your card, that is an acceptable gift choice. Gift cards are also an excellent alternative, which will also allow the bride go select a gift according to what would best suit their needs.
Another creative way to handle requests for cash gifts is to inform guests using the couple’s wedding website. For example, at ewedding.com, couples can create a free wedding website that features information about the wedding. Most of them include gift registry area, where the couple notes the stores they have registered at. They could also add a note, such as:
If you were thinking of giving a gift, to help us on our way.
A gift of cash towards our house, would really make our day.
However, if you prefer to purchase a gift, feel free to surprise us in your own way.
Whatever you would like to give us is wonderful
The choice is up to you
We are registered at xxxx,
But money is at the top of our list too!
It will help us pay for xxxx
Should the hostess give a gift to the bride at the bridal shower?
The bridal shower is considered to be a gift to the bride-to-be from the hostess, and it is up to you if you choose to give an additional gift to the bride. If you do choose to buy another gift, a token gift is definitely acceptable, given the costs and effort expended towards hosting the shower event.
Related Posts:
Wishing Well Basket And Poem
Top 15 Favorite Bridal Shower Poems
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