Wedding expert lists wedding gift dos and don’ts for every guest

Sophie Collins

When a close friend or family member ties the knot, choosing the perfect wedding gift can be an exciting but daunting task

With so many options around and social expectations to consider, how do you ensure your gift is both meaningful and appropriate?

Ella Citron-Thompkins, an expert from Diamond’s Factory Ireland, has given her expert opinion to help you choose your next wedding gift.

Affordability

The first question to consider is your own budget. According to Ella: “When it comes to how much to spend on a wedding gift, there’s no hard and fast rule.

“It really depends on your relationship with the couple.”

If you’re very close to the couple, you may feel inclined to splurge on something more lavish.

On the other hand, if the couple is more of an acquaintance, a modest but thoughtful gift might be more appropriate.

To make this decision easier, Ella suggests a general guideline of:

Work colleagues and acquaintances: €30+
Close friends and relatives: €75+
Immediate family, bridesmaids, and groomsmen: €100+

“Ultimately, it’s essential to consider what feels right for you and your budget,” Ella emphasises. “Depending on how well you know the couple, you might want to adjust your gift options.”

Keeping a price range in mind can help alleviate the pressure and make the shopping experience more enjoyable.

What should you buy?

The next step is deciding what type of gift to buy. While it’s tempting to stick to traditional options like homeware, Ella encourages people to think outside the box.

“Most married couples will say: ‘Your presence is enough!’ and others will already have a list prepared,” she notes.

“However, you might want to buy something extra special, meaning you’ll need some inspiration.”

One way to stand out is with a personalised gift. “You could stand out with a personalised whiskey or wine glass set, which is guaranteed to be treasured by the happy couple since it’ll be a unique gift that they can break out at home or when celebrating a special occasion,” Ella suggests.

If the couple is always on the go, practical gifts like personalised phone cases or experience vouchers can also be a hit. “These are perfect for those picky couples,” she adds.

Is cash acceptable?

In some cultures, giving money as a wedding gift is the norm, while in others it can be seen as controversial.

“In Irish culture, gifting money is a standard tradition held by many,” Ella explains. “However, in the UK, this is usually seen as controversial, but it is generally more accepted among younger generations nowadays.”

When opting for cash, the same budget guidelines apply. “It might not be expected of you to gift more than €100 if you’re not close to the married couple or even if you’re not part of the wedding party,” Ella advises.

If cash feels too impersonal, consider a voucher towards the honeymoon or a store the couple loves as a thoughtful alternative.

Timing

Timing is another important thing. “Back in the day, people used to turn up to weddings with their gifts in hand, but that is quickly becoming outdated,” says Ella.

This leaves many guests wondering when the best time to give their gift is.

Traditionally, you have up to a year after the wedding to give a gift, which allows you to carefully choose something meaningful.

However, Ella recommends a shorter window of time: “For the best impact, we recommend leaving it no later than 3-4 months, so the happy couple can take the time to appreciate the gift after the dust has settled.”

Choosing a wedding gift doesn’t have to be a stressful experience, just emember Ella’s advice: “It’s essential to consider what feels right for you and your budget.”