Bride-groom wedding gifts/letters

My husband and I gave each other gifts, but it wasn't in our highlight video. Frankly, because it wasn't a highlight. There was so much else going on. The highlight video was only six minutes. The videographers asked if I wanted to read the letter he wrote me, but I declined as it was personal. If it's something you want to do, tell them beforehand and they'll know to shoot it. It's all up to you.

@MB2MA - Thanks for sharing! If I may follow up, how did the videographer even know to ask though? Or was he/she just there anyway shooting as you got ready and saw the letter slip through the door and happened to be there? Also, did you and your husband decide together to do it, or was it just unspoken and assumed you would both do it? The reason I ask is because my FI isn't from the US so a lot of even basic american wedding traditions he doesn't necessarily know about. I'm worried that I sort of always envisioned this as a surprise and if we talk about it in advance, it will be awkward, or worse, he won't really be all that thrilled to do it.

Our photography team sent us a list of questions before the wedding asking what we wanted still photos of. I listed my old/new/borrowed/blue things, our memorial lockets, and a vague "bride and groom gifts to each other." We didn't read letters outloud at any point, but if you want to do that, it shouldn't be an issue.

I bought DH's gift about two months before the wedding and mentioned 1)that I ordered him a gift then 2) his gift came in. I figured that was enough to ensure he didn't awkwardly not get me something when I bought him something. (side note, he got me a pandora bracelet with a wedding charm and I got him a watch from Tree Hut. More sentimental than expensive!)

Yes, the videographer knew to ask me about it as it seemed to be something he usually does. My husband and I didn't actually talk about whether we wanted it recorded, we just both ended up not doing so. You can also have it recorded , as raw footage, but not put into the highlight video if you want.

I don't know if I'd call this a tradition , it's really up to you.

This is a link to my trailer if you wanted to see a video without the exchange.

https://vimeo.com/205310723/6694de75bb

Thanks @MrsSki(ToBe)! That clears it up for me a lot haha I totally get that it's awkward to directly agree on something like gifts...cuz then it seems like you're asking for a gift. And yeah, I was thinking something nice but not break-the-bank nice. Like $100 or so.

@MB2MA - awesome thanks! Can't wait to see it!

In terms of getting a gift in general, it's something you'd have to discuss beforehand. You could probably just mention it to your fiance and ask if there are similar traditions where he is from , and go from there.

Definitely something you and your fiance should discuss beforehand, and something you should mention to your photographer and videographer beforehand if you want to make sure they capture it!

My planner and videographer both asked me if we would be exchanging letters so that they could schedule it into our timeline. We ended up writing each other personal letters but wanted to keep them completely personal and not on camera

FH and I discussed it because I didn't want any bad feelings on either side if we made the "wrong" assumption. We decided we would do gifts as we both liked the idea of having something special to hold onto tangibly from that day. He does whine a bit about not knowing what to give me, but he always gives amazing gifts so I know he'll sort it out!