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JRA12216
Expert December 2016

Not invited to friend's wedding, but she is coming to mine. What is the gift etiquette?

JRA12216, on November 3, 2016 at 11:01 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 23

It really isn't a big deal that I am not invited to her wedding, as I know the lists need to be cut where they need to be cut. She is a former co-worker who my FH and I hung out with quite a bit at the beginning of our relationship, and we have stayed in touch over the years, but it's hard to hang out as much as we did when we were younger due to careers, living in different areas etc. I invited her to my wedding, and she is coming. My question is... is it weird that I send her a wedding gift even though I am not invited to her wedding? I am super happy for her and want to send something, but I just am not sure if it will be weird. Thoughts?

23 Comments

Latest activity by Miami2NorthernVA, on November 3, 2016 at 5:05 PM
  • OriginalKD
    Master December 2015
    OriginalKD ·
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    I think it is a nice thought.

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  • OG Kathryn
    Champion May 2016
    OG Kathryn ·
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    Maybe wait until after wedding and send a card saying congratulations.

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  • Macy
    Super September 2016
    Macy ·
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    Yeah that's kind of weird. She might take it as you being passive aggressive.

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  • SarahHoff
    Expert October 2017
    SarahHoff ·
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    I don't think it would be strange. When my cousin eloped, the entire family got them wedding presents anyway.

    But i agree with Kathryn, it might be best to send after the wedding as a congratulations, sending it before might make her feel guilty for not inviting you. (although that might be just me overthinking it)

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  • melanie
    Master August 2017
    melanie ·
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    I would send it after the wedding as a congrats like PP's have suggested

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  • AlmostBrieB
    Devoted June 2017
    AlmostBrieB ·
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    I think it'd be nice! But I also agree to wait until after her wedding.

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  • AlwaysMs.
    VIP May 2018
    AlwaysMs. ·
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    People do send wedding presents when they are not invited. Not weird.

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  • Erin Wood
    Master July 2017
    Erin Wood ·
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    I think it's a nice thought. I got a STD for a friend of mine and couldn't make it to the wedding. I never received a formal invitation but I bought them a small gift anyway.

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  • Kelly King
    Kelly King ·
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    It is totally normal to send a gift or card of congratulations even if not invited.

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  • Caitlin
    Master July 2017
    Caitlin ·
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    I agree with PP that it is perfectly acceptable to send a gift even though you weren't invited, but to send it after the wedding.

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  • JRA12216
    Expert December 2016
    JRA12216 ·
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    Thanks everyone, this is very helpful. She is getting married tomorrow, so I will send something next week. It definitely crossed my mind that it could be taken by the bride as me being passive aggressive, which is why i wasn't sure what to do. Thanks again everyone.

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  • TheUncommonBride
    Expert October 2017
    TheUncommonBride ·
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    I think that's a very nice thing of you to do, not weird at all.

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  • Lynnie
    WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
    Lynnie ·
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    I agree with @OG Kathryn - I'd wait until after the wedding and send a card!

    We got a few gifts from older family friends who weren't invited and I panicked! I called my mom to ask if they thought they were invited or if they were just being "kind grown ups" Smiley smile

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  • Lakeya
    VIP September 2017
    Lakeya ·
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    You're so kind! I concur with others who stated wait until after the wedding.

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  • F
    Expert July 2017
    FutureMrs.Ruffalo ·
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    No invite, no gift. Obviously the feeling isn't mutual between you and her.

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  • Swin.
    Master June 2016
    Swin. ·
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    Nice, jeanette. That's totally unnecessary.

    I say gift after.

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  • Private_User832
    Master August 2017
    Private_User832 ·
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    I wouldn't send a gift. To me, it will come off as passive aggressive. After the wedding the next time you see them you can just congratulate them

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  • BecomingKrueger
    Master March 2017
    BecomingKrueger ·
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    I think that is very kind of you. If you want to send her a gift, go for it!

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  • ELK
    Master March 2018
    ELK ·
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    I think you can get her a small gift either for her shower (assuming it hasn't already passed) or just something like a picture frame or gift card.

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  • SSJKarigan
    VIP August 2017
    SSJKarigan ·
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    I think giving presents is just as rewarding as receiving them (sometimes, anyways), so if you feel in your heart that you want to give a present, I say go for it. If she perceives it as passive aggressive like some people are suggesting, then that's her baggage to deal with, not yours. You know you have good intentions, so don't worry about it.

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