Bridal Shower Gift VS Wedding Gift

You typically give one gift for the marriage- whether it be at an engagement party, the bridal shower or the wedding. It's not unusual to give two smaller gifts at different events instead of one larger one though.

I attended 2 bridal showers for a friend. I bought a gift for each one and a gift for the wedding. The bridal shower gifts were pretty small: an outdoor table cloth, a lint roller...things that she hadn't registered for, but that I knew all households can use. I bought a larger gift from the registry for the wedding.

On our registry we have different priced items just for this reason. So people can go to the registry for both shower and wedding gifts.

I normally go with 2 smaller gifts for each, but one gift for both is also ok. Keep in mind that at wedding/bridal showers they normally open all the gifts in front of all the guests so If you're just doing one gift I'd bring it there

In my family it is the same as @parrotheadbride ... a gift at the shower, card with money at the reception, typically. Occasionally they are flopped, but that is the standard in my community.

Thanks Ladies! Seems there are all different ways to go out this haha

There might be cultural differences as well. I know for me, living in So Cal, I buy a gift off the registry (if there is one) for the shower. If there is no registry, I will buy a gift for the home, or a personal gift if it is a personal shower. Sometimes I might go in together with a group, especially if a co-worker.

For a wedding, I bring a card to the reception with a cash gift inside.

I consider the two events separate gift-giving events. For an engagement party, I don't consider that a gift-giving event, but will bring a card of congratulations.

For the Bridal Shower I usually give a gift for the bride that she can use, VS gift card, Sephora gift card, etc. Then for the Wedding I purchase a gift from the registry that's usually for the home.

I'm with Michele S. [also from So Cal ironically haha]. Except for an engagement party, I normally also give them a gift card to a restaraunt or something low key like that.

This must be another one of those culture/regional differences! In my area, and for all the weddings I've gone to, I get a gift off of the registry for the shower and then a cash gift at the wedding. The amount I spend on each depends on the relationship I have with the bride and/or groom.

I'm also with Michele and Stephanie, and I'm originally from the Midwest. I think all of those parties are separate gift-giving occasions.

I give a bridal shower gift from the couple's registry. For the wedding, I give a check and a card. For a bachelorette party, I give a piece of lingerie, a funny gag gift, bath and body products, or a VS gift card. For an engagement party, I usually bring a bottle of wine or liquor.

I sometimes keep the overall wedding gift budget in mind when buying for each occasion, but sometimes not. Just depends on my overall budget at the time. Getting married is a big deal. I try to err on the side of generous if I'm not sure.

@ Chandlers Heart..thats the way i thought it was...hence why its called a BRIDAL shower?? hm....

Usually for the shower i get something off their registry depending how close they are to my FH and myself it can be something big or small then for the wedding usually a check between $50 and $100

I do a registry gift for the shower (usually something for the home) and a cash gift at the wedding. Like a previous poster the size of my gift depends on my relationship with the bride/groom.

^Yeah but a lot of registries are called "bridal" registries. I don't think that refers just to the bride, it's about helping the couple start their new life together by getting them started with household items they need.

I've never been to a shower where people did not buy off the registry, unless it was a specific themed shower like a recipe/spice shower, or a lingerie shower, or something like that. Always interesting when there are so many differences in different circles.

Yeah ha ill have to ask the FMIL and see what she knows...looks like everyone has done different things lol

I always buy a gift off the registry for the shower and bring a card with a check to the wedding.

I'm from NJ and live in PA now and I consider them seperate gift giving events. The shower is always a gift and the wedding is always cash - both are dependent of my relationship to the Couple or their family.

I agree w/ Kris - I like reading the different perspectives from different areas of the country or cultures.

@Shana L ~ traditionally speaking, a bride will be setting up her home when she marries, and a "bridal shower" is supposed to shower her with gifts to assist her with doing just that. Hence, traditionally, gifts for the home. Some brides prefer a "personal" shower, which would include gifts only for the bride - typically lingerie. Eventually, showers also lead to "Jack and Jill showers" where future husbands were also included, and gifts expanded to include items a groom might find useful, such as power tools and home improvement items.

Just as brides are evolving, so do wedding events. Nowadays, showers can be almost anything, but it's usually safest to go with tradition unless an invite states otherwise.

I have always brought a gift to each event (engagement party, shower, wedding). Usually I do a smaller gift for the parties/showers ($20-$40) and a larger gift for the wedding ($100-$200). For showers, I would get something off the registry. Wedding I have done some cash gifts, some gifts off their registry.

I guess it also depends on how close you are to the bride/couple