Is a card box necessary?

I've never been to one without a box. I would lay it on whatever they have set up for gifts if no box or find a parent to hand it to if no gift table. But I would expect there to be a box.

I’ve never been to a wedding that didn’t have a card box. I’d absolutely have one at your wedding and if there wasn’t one I’d probably hand my card directly to the bride and groom. I wouldn’t feel comfortable just laying a card with money in it down on a table somewhere.

I would definitely have a card box so they are secure and you don't have to worry about them being all over the place. Personally if I went to a wedding that didn't have a card box I would probably hand it to someone (maybe a parent or coordinator) to give to the B&G. I wouldn't want to just leave it around.

What is the justification for not having a card box, especially if you don't have a registry? A card box is absolutely necessary.

I've never been to a wedding without a card box and would definitely call them a necessity. We will have a locked card box. I trust all of our guests, but I've heard stories here and from our DOC of random people entering the venue unnoticed just to grab cards or the entire card box and leave.

I had just a small gold basket at my wedding it was just something so cards weren't randomly laid around. You need a place for these things to go.

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Just not something I had thought about. Didn't want people to think we were expecting gifts or anything, but I'll definitely add it to my list now.

I've only been to one wedding that didn't have a card box, and I wouldn't recommend it. The cards were just laid sporadically on a table with other gifts. It was a very uneasy feeling as a guest, laying down a card with money in it, in not a "secure" place. There are other alternatives to card boxes, instead of actual boxes. But I would suggest something, that can contain the cards, so they aren't being laid down and misplaced.

Personally I am doing a Card/Gift chest so everything can be put into one spot. Some people put out a bird cage that you place cards into so its still a pretty decoration that doesn't cause too much attention to it.

I hadn't thought about this either! Will add it to my to-do! Thank you!

I've also never been to one without a card box so I would assume they will have one. If not, I would just lay it next to other gifts on the table, but honestly, I would be shocked if they didn't.

I would also recommend a card box. You can generally find some cheap ones at Hobby Lobby or Michael's, or sometimes even your venue will have one. Sadly, more and more couples are choosing to have locked boxes or sealed boxes so that cards don't get stolen (I say sadly because it's awful we have to worry about gifts being stolen!) but really you can use anything that will keep them all together - basket, mailbox, etc.

We are decorating a white mailbox! It’s really cute. Amazon it was $13!

Most people bring cards, even if you just put it on the table with the guest book. I have never seen a wedding without a card box.

I would definitely do something so it's clear to guests where you'd like them to leave cards. I understand for some couples/venues there are, sadly, issues related to security and a locked box is a necessity, but if that's not a concern a simple basket is fine. We went to a relative's wedding where she "didn't want to seem like she was expecting gifts," so she did nothing. Guests, of course, brought cards and some gifts. Initially, it wasn't clear where they were supposed to leave them. Eventually, people just started setting them down in the middle of the place cards because that was the only spot that seemed like an option. Later in the night, there were 3-4 gifts in larger gift bags and cards strewn across an 8' table.... As the bride's aunt, I took it upon myself to gather all the cards and put them inside one of the gift bags for safe keeping and easy transport following the wedding, and let the MOB know what I'd done. (Before I put them in the gift bag, I made sure the bag was clearly labeled so there wouldn't be any confusion about who the physical gift was from even thought there were 2 dozen other cards in the bag.) Please do SOMETHING. For daughter's card box, we bought a large paper mache house at Michael's, painted it to coordinate with the wedding colors, added some simple battery operated mini-lights, and a little sign above the doorway that said "The NEWLASTNAMEs, est. 2019". The "roof" was removable and guests put their cards inside. It was super cute, cost less that $10, and daughter & SIL are now using it to hold the mail that they need to follow up on at the end of the week (e.g., bills, etc.). The card box does not need to be expensive or elaborate. Daughter's second option would have been a basket we already own, but it's a good idea to have something available.

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Thanks for the input, everyone. I will definitely have one now. I'm thinking some kind of box with a slot instead of the open basket just to make it more secure in transport.

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We are doing the same because the venue is attached to a busy restaurant and we don't want wanderers. It's sad that it's needed, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

In a lot of Asian cultures, the bride and groom individually go to each table to give thanks. That is normally where they collect any cards and red envelope that guests bring. If you’re not doing anything of the sort, a card container at the front makes more sense.

I would recommend it, especially when it comes time to pack up at the end of the night. All of them are in one location- no lost envelopes. I bought ours from Amazon for fairly cheap. The lid and ribbon are removable; and the box itself folds up for easy storage. I plan on using mine for both the wedding and my shower.

I've only been to one that didn't have a box, my brother's. His now wife had a satin bag that she carried around and people put the cards in that. I'm going to have a box of some kind, i'm thinking a wooden one that we can use for something else after maybe.