This week’s wedding etiquette lesson is all about gift giving. When, What, How Much, and How – 4 quick and simple guidelines to keep you in line with all the “unwritten rules” of wedding gifts.

Time Frame:

The age old rule for an appropriate time frame is from the engagement, up to one year after the couple is married. However, the most respectable time is the two or three months before and after the wedding date. Once you reach three months after the wedding, don’t expect too many gifts to keep rolling in.

Gift Type:

Buy from their registry! The couple has handpicked every item on their registry or registries so you will never pick a gift they don’t want! If you know the couple really well and have a special gift that is not on their registry, then by all means, get it for them. But don’t feel like you need to get creative, this is one time in your life where you know exactly what someone wants and where to find it so take advantage of that.

Amount Spent:

Spend at least $50. End of story. We all know how expensive weddings and starting a life together can be. Most likely the couple is spending more than $50 per person to have you at their wedding so it is expected that you return that favor and help them start their life together.

Delivery Method:

Over the last few years the increasing trend is to have gifts shipped directly to the couple, or the address listed for RSVPs. This method saves you and the couple from carrying that gift to and from the venue and limits the possibility of damage.

However, people still bring cards to the wedding. I’m sure you’ve seen the countless ways to collect cards on Pinterest! Most commonly, if guests are gifting a check inside a card they will still bring that to the wedding and not mail it directly to the couple.