WINNIPEG – Wedding season is just around the corner but what is the appropriate present to give the happy couple? Cash, a gift, a card or nothing at all?
According to experts, guests should give something from the heart and not necessarily be concerned with the value of the gift.
But not everyone agrees.
After a recent wedding in Hamilton, Ontario where one guest put together a gourmet basket of goodies, the newlyweds sent the following text:
“I want to thank you for coming to the wedding Friday. I’m not sure if it’s the first wedding you have been to, but for your next wedding… People give envelopes. I lost out on $200 covering you and your dates plate… And got fluffy whip and sour patch kids in return. Just a heads up for the future :)”
The gift has sparked an online wedding etiquette debate and everyone Global News spoke with was shocked and appalled by the bride’s reaction.
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“There shouldn’t be a tariff put on how much you are expected to give,” said on Winnipegger.
“Weddings are not about making money. Couples should not expect anything but should just be happy their friends and family are sharing in their special day,” said Tammy Ouellet from Divine Weddings.
While cash is often a go to gift for wedding guests, asking for it or including it on the invitation is frowned upon said one industry expert.
One wedding planner re-iterated couples should budget and have the event paid for beforehand, not rely on gifts to cover the costs.
“You’re inviting guests to celebrate with you. You’re asking them to take timeout from their weekends, going to the lake, relaxing to spend the day with you. When you invite a guest to a wedding you are saying ‘you’re important to us in our lives and we want you to share this day with us.’ That’s what a wedding is about its not about getting gifts,” said Ouellet.
In Manitoba, it is common practice for the newlyweds to be given a ‘presentation’ envelope with money in it.
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