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Jodie
Expert August 2020

Parent gift concern...

Jodie, on September 6, 2019 at 12:15 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 11
So my FH lost his mom a few years ago. She and his dad split a long time ago. His dad is remarried ( to someone neither one of us are very fond of.. ). They aren't paying for anything for the wedding or doing anything to help (so far). Do we still get them a gift? Do we get both of them something? Or just his dad? Or what? I have no idea what the "rules" are for this kind of thing.

11 Comments

Latest activity by Monica, on September 8, 2019 at 1:35 PM
  • J
    Master 0000
    Judith ·
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    Until recently gifts to parents at wedding time we're occasionally done, but other than an album or framed picture after the wedding, people gave letters of thanks to parents who helped with the wedding. And gifts or visits for parent's birthday, father's day and any holiday gifts. Gifts for parents before weddings are not expected .
    Since reality TV started, they , advertiser supported, have pushed presents from all guests at engagement parties, gifts when "proposing" to bridesmaids, gifts while getting ready, gifts at bachelorette parties, when the only long term traditional thing has been one individual personal gift ( not all alike) to each MOH, BM , BM, or GM given close to the wedding, either in private or at RD.
    Don't feel you need to do a parent gift, or any of the other very recent trend of gifts for everyone, all the time. If it isn't heartfelt, and a really sentimental thing, just do not do it .
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  • Paula
    Super September 2019
    Paula ·
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    I never really understand all the gift giving to every single person. We're not giving gifts to our mothers but we are honoring them by having them wear corsages, maybe you could do something like that? Also parents of a certain age like our parents are not expecting any gifts, it just wasn't done when they were married.
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  • Caytlyn
    Legend November 2019
    Caytlyn ·
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    I would just give a gift to his dad or maybe something they can both use like a gift card.

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  • H
    Master July 2019
    Hannah ·
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    Typically the parent gift is to thank them for financial contributions to the wedding. If they aren't paying for anything, you don't really need to give them a gift.
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  • Sara
    Super October 2019
    Sara ·
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    I'd probably write them a "thanks for supporting us" card regardless, but I think gifts depend on what you're doing for your own family. If your parents are contributing to the wedding and you're planning on getting them a gift, and don't want your FH's family to be upset, I think a card with a promise of a photo album after the wedding, and maybe a gift card could be a good way to get them something, but maybe not as much as you would if they were helping out.

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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    We gave gifts to every person but honestly I don't think it's necessary at all.
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  • Alejandra
    Super November 2021
    Alejandra ·
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    I've actually never heard of this tradition until we started planning our wedding. I probably wouldn't bother giving them one.

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  • Jodie
    Expert August 2020
    Jodie ·
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    Thank you...I don't remember getting gifts for being in a wedding (except when the bride wanted all of us to have matching necklaces-she bought them for us.) I've always been under the impression that the fact that I'm paying for everyone to come have fun and eat, drink and be merry is gift enough. lol

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  • Jodie
    Expert August 2020
    Jodie ·
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    That's a good idea. Thank you!

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  • Jodie
    Expert August 2020
    Jodie ·
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    Thank you all for your advice! I appreciate all of your insight!

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  • Monica
    Devoted July 2020
    Monica ·
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    We aren’t doing parent gifts. Other than nice framed photos of the wedding afterward.

    We will do a nice card for my mom who is paying for our flowers. We are paying for everything else ourselves.
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