Distant Cousin - Gift if RSVP No?

I would say no...but then I would also wonder why you were invited if you've only met them once.

I think they are having somewhat close to 300 people and are inviting all bloodlines. A lot of us were surprised we got the invitation. I was wondering if they were " gift hungry " and looking for gifts from people they know won't come.

I've been to every other wedding I've ever been invited to, so I have really no idea on proper etiquette when RSVP no!

I would not send a gift to someone whose wedding I did not attend AND someone that I don't know. Maybe that's wrong, but I just wouldn't. Side note, I can't help but wonder if people send invitations to distant relatives or people they don't really know in hopes for a gift? I'm not really sure, but this is a hard pass for me.

I've always sent a gift when I RSVP no. My gift is because I am happy for them and want to help them start a life together - not because I RSVP'd yes. I would say send a gift, but feel free for it to be a smaller gift.

I'd be a little irked though if some random cousin I had only met once invited me to their wedding when they knew I wouldn't go.

ETA: words

Glad what I'm feeling is normal ! I felt bad for feeling annoyed that we were invited !

I might go on their registry and find a $20 gift of so. If they didn't have anything in that price point, then I'd probably just send a card.

This is a really good thing to see on my end, too. My FMIL is insisting that we invite multiple great aunts and uncles that FH wouldn't be able to pick out of a crowd.

As someone who's in the position of having to invite distant relatives that I know won't come and that I haven't seen in 20 years, you probably don't need to send a gift. Maybe just a card if you're really feeling generous.

In my situation, my parents are putting a considerable chunk of money towards our wedding and the only thing they wanted input on was the guest list. That means I'm inviting my grandmother's brother that I think I met when I was an infant as well as other great aunts and uncles I haven't seen in years. I fully do not expect them to come, nor do I expect a gift since it's more of a courtesy invite at the request of my parents.

Nope, don't feel obligated. Write them a sweet note and that's it.

The invite could be an obligatory one. I was already lectured by my aunt, father and mother that I must invite family members I have only met 2 or 3 times. I'm not expecting a gift and I'm sure your distant cousins are not either. Probably covering their bases so they're not accused of snubbing you.

We invited cousins we are not close to I admit out of obligation and because I know it would hurt our aunts and uncles if we did not. I fully expect them to rsvp no thanks...and don't at allllll expect a gift. I think you are fine to just send a no ...likely they are also sending invites to make mom and dads happy!

I'd send a gift if you can afford something small.

I'm guessing that wherever they decided to make the family cut you were in and they didn't want to insult you by not inviting.

I grew up with parents getting invites and announcements from their cousins children and former students/advisees. They'd usually send something small off the registry as a thanks for thinking of us congrats on the happy event type of thing. Of course we also grew up that way with graduation announcements so...

Nah you're good

I wouldn't over think it. Gift if you want, don't feel obligated too though. I like to think the best of people, so this could be the case where they are close to some relatives n are inviting in circles.

You've only met cousin once? Nah, save the money.

I'm sending invites to cousins I haven't seen in years, only because their parents invited me and my family to all of their kids' weddings so my dad wanted me to invite them out of courtesy. I certainly don't expect anything from them.

It sounds like they tried to do an all family thing so I wouldn't be irked by it. But at the same time I probably wouldn't send a gift if I only met them once and they weren't close to us.

If you don't know them, then you don't have to give a gift. But if you know them, then you give a gift. Since you barely know them, I would just pick something really small off their registry like a picture frame or something

I wouldn't be irked though. They are your family, whether you know them well or not

I'm sending invites to my cousins and their families even though we are not very close, however only my first cousins and only out of respect. I do not expect a gift regardless.

On a side note my mother's friend actually asked me why I wasn't inviting more people because she said "the more people you invite the more gifts and money you get".

I would find out where they're registered and purchase a $50 gift card and a wedding card and be done with it.

I wouldn't send a gift. I'd send them a nice card.