How do Bridal Shower Gifts Differ From Wedding Presents?

You don’t ask for wedding gifts. You can use the registry for your bridal shower and whatever is left over can be purchased as wedding gifts. In my circle, people primarily give money at the wedding and a physical gift at the shower.

You make a registry of physical items and guests can purchase gifts off of the same registry for the bridal shower and wedding.

In my experience, physical gifts are normally given at the bridal shower, and wedding gifts are a usually a mixture of physical gifts and cash. There honestly isn't much difference between the two types of gifts except for the occasion they're given at.

ETA: Don't straight up ask for cash.

Registry information can be mentioned on the bridal shower invite, but not wedding invite. The information can also be spread by word of mouth and included on your wedding website if you have one.

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Exactly. I ONLY made a registry because someone was throwing me a shower. Had I not had one, I wouldnt have done a registry.

I've never seen a physical gift brought to a wedding, for what it's worth. Around me cash is the norm for wedding gifts. Registry gifts are given at the shower.

I give physical gifts for the shower and cash for the wedding. I think this might be somewhat regional though as I've seen some people post that in the south it is customary to bring a gift to the wedding.

I agree if I’m going to both the shower and the wedding I personally would buy a gift for the shower and then cash at the wedding

Typically physical gifts are given at the shower and at the wedding the guests just put a card with cash in the card box

There is no difference. While people have traditionally registered for household items, this is starting to change, although it’s been slow to catch up to modern times. Before the women’s movement (and other factors), it was practically unheard of for women (and mostly men) to live on their own before marriage. It was also unheard of for couples to live together before marriage and divorces were rare. Therefore, couples were starting from scratch after getting married and needed household items. Obviously, things are quite different now but for some reason, the idea of a what proper shower gift is hasn’t quite caught up but things are starting to change with people now being able to register for experiences and honeymoons, and non traditional items like electronics, gourmet food, sports equipment, etc.

in in some areas of the country, cash/checks are often given as a wedding gift while registry items are usually purchased for showers. In other areas, people give registry items as wedding gifts in addition to the shower gift.

View Quoted Comment This is exactly what I've experienced too!

I think it depends on your social circle. The registry is for gifts either given at the shower or as a wedding gift - some people receive gifts after their wedding day as well - I believe etiquette says you have up to a year to send a gift ? (dont quote me in that one, could be six months), some people bring cash/check and a card to the wedding as a gift, however, in some cultures they bring an actual physical gift, so be prepared for that too.

They don't usually differ. Unless you're having a theme, like a lingerie bridal shower or something, people will just go off your wedding registry. The gifts may be cheaper options, then the wedding gifts will be a more expensive option. At least traditionally. I would just list on the bottom of the bridal shower & wedding invites "The couple is registered at XXXX", then those wanting ot buy presents will!