Parents Gifts

I think if you get them a small gift then it would be a nice gesture overall

I’m probably in the minority here, but I don’t understand giving everyone gifts. I understand giving gifts as a thank you to the WP and parents (or whoever- grandma, aunts...) for their assistance (money, time, etc), but I don’t think you need to give gifts to anyone who has not provided or offered support or assistance. My mom can’t help financially, but she has been a huge support and help through wedding planning so she absolutely deserves a thank you.


I think a smaller gift is a nice gesture, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Personally, I would just write them a personal card to give them on the day, and gift them a canvas print or album down the road.

I’d say maybe a card. I’m in a similar boat and every Christmas we’ve given his parents gifts that they don’t use so I wouldn’t want to waste the money.

View Quoted Comment This is my thought exactly. MIL came to one wedding dress shopping but that's it from them. Which is fine but like why am i giving them a gift? "Hey thanks for giving me your son to raise" lol jk

I agree that a small gift would be a nice gesture, but I don't think it's required. I think a card, and maybe a picture/picture frame (if you wanted to), would be enough.

I always thought you give the in law a gift basically as a thank you for your spouse but we were actually talking about this today & he goes they’re not paying for anything why they need to get a gift 😂😂

Yes, I'd still get them a gift. They contributed a very important part of the wedding: your partner.
When I get my parents gifts, sentimentality is more important than cost. It can be as big or little as you want, but it should mean something. Maybe have your partner pick. (I see gifts to parents at weddings more like "thanks for getting me to this point in life" rather than "thanks for the chairs and food" anyway)

I think maybe a card and a framed wedding picture after the wedding would be sufficient! We just made wedding albums for our parents after the wedding, no gifts before.

View Quoted Comment I’ve seen some “thanks for raising the man of my dreams” cards, but yours is more appropriate lol!

View Quoted Comment I think that’s a pretty solid idea lol

I would get them both a gift either way.

View Quoted Comment I agree with this. Save your money. A nice heartfelt note in a card goes alot further than a gift they may not use.

Neither of our parents are contributing to our wedding. However, his parents are paying for the rehearsal dinner & my parents are spending around $150 on alcohol. I’m thinking a picture frame for each. My parents can’t afford much either but their love & support mean so much to us!

Yes, you would still include them. The parent gifts aren’t for their monetary contributions, the same way bridal party gifts aren’t because they spent money. They’re thank you gifts to show an appreciate of their support, love, and in the case of parents, for raising you.

We are just doing nice photo books and a thank you card after the wedding. Spending more money on top of a wedding for a thank you gift on the day of, knowing both sets of our parents likely won’t use it, seems like a waste. We would rather wait and get them something more meaningful afterwards. (Just FYI, one set is helping a bit financially and the other is not in a spot to do so)

View Quoted Comment Lol mine thinks if my parents get one his has to but I'm just confused on what for if they didn't provide help in any way

View Quoted Comment Lol i said jk but am i? 🤪

View Quoted Comment See the point in your situation is that they're helping. No matter how small they're still contributing something so it would make sense to get them both a gift even if it's something small

View Quoted Comment

Exactly this.

I am also in agreement with Ashley. It isn’t about contributing to the wedding, it’s more about thanking them for their love and support over the years, both while you’ve been together, and while they were raising him up and helping to prepare him for marriage. If you choose to give gifts, it should be to all of the parents. It is okay if you splurge a little more on you parents as an extra thank you for contributing monetarily to your day.