Suggestions to have an "Understated" Gift Table?

Set up a plain table at some point in the room wear people will naturally pass. No need for decorations. Have a family member show up early and put their gift on the table (alternatively, just wrap a box yourself and put it there). People will notice and get the hint. As for cards, there are a number of card boxes that don't even say "cards" on them. If people brought something, they'll find where to put it.

ETA: Your thank you sign idea is cute, but I'd either insert it into your thank you card or have the picture as the thank you card. No need to have an additional email. People know it takes more than a day to send thank you cards. On the contrary, people might assume your picture is your formal thank you and get confused.

I really don't think having a "thank you" sign screams "THIS IS WHERE YOU LEAVE US MONEY!"

Honestly, the table is made obvious so the guests don't get confused. It's really a way to help your guests. They bring gifts regardless.

I don't think having a thank you sign is tacky.

If you don't make it clear then you may have people asking you where to put stuff.

For us we are just leaving half the space on the table that will also have the cake in case people bring stuff. The card box is a just a pretty floral print box I got at Joanne's fabric.

I'm totally with you on this. I cringe a little at gift/card tables.

Since I am such a sucker for sentimental stuff, all I am asking for are cards. I want to put them in a scrap book, which kind of becomes a "guest book" of sorts. So I'll put that request out there via our webpage. There will be my mail box set up on a small table. We are not expecting gifts, nor asking for them. We're still on the fence about registering because we don't want it to seem as if we're asking for gift cards, we aren't. I've been on my own for years now, if there's anything I want it's a few small gifts which I might mention to my kids and hubby REALLY wants a breadmaker. So, seriously, all I want is cards... lol

As for the "thank you" I am going to have a container set up with "thank you" mints as they exit and there will be a "thank you" sign set up in it, above it, on it... something. Traditional hand signed thank you cards will go out when we get back to whomever attended.

We debated about registering too! We decided to ultimately. My aunt made such a good point to me that people will purchase you things whether you ask for it or not, and would I rather have things that I can use/would want, or would I rather get random things that I may never use? I was still on the fence totally. But we ultimately decided to. It felt weird for sure. We've been on our own for years too, and I'm 31 -- FH is 44. And honestly, I've got one cousin who has a shower for every kid, every event, and has rented out whole huge restaurant banquet halls for these things, and it truly feels like you're getting an invoice in the mail every time you get an invitation to an event -- I just want to avoid that at all costs. It's the exact opposite of who we are as people. I love the mailbox idea! Very cute! Also like the idea of having a quiet table set up with a gift pre-set up.

We debated about registering too! We decided to ultimately. My aunt made such a good point to me that people will purchase you things whether you ask for it or not, and would I rather have things that I can use/would want, or would I rather get random things that I may never use? I was still on the fence totally. But we ultimately decided to. It felt weird for sure. We've been on our own for years too, and I'm 31 -- FH is 44. And honestly, I've got one cousin who has a shower for every kid, every event, and has rented out whole huge restaurant banquet halls for these things, and it truly feels like you're getting an invoice in the mail every time you get an invitation to an event -- I just want to avoid that at all costs. It's the exact opposite of who we are as people. I love the mailbox idea! Very cute! Also like the idea of having a quiet table set up with a gift pre-set up.

I agree - you want people to know where to put stuff. Or they will hand it to you. Which is more awarkward becuase not your carrying around 4 gifts. Just have it at the end of the guest book or place card table.

I'm not a huge fan of the gift table idea either- but since it's likely that some if not all people will bring a congratulatory card or gift and having a secure and designated place to put them is important.

I have seen some creative card box alternatives like lanterns, bird cages, etc. something that doesn't outright say cards and gifts but looks like part of the decor but happens to have envelopes inside leaving it where the guest book or favors are should suffice- depending on the size of your wedding!

Use your guest book table (make sure it has room) and have a basket with a dummy card and leave it at that. You dont need a sign or anything that screams gift here! People will bring cards and gifts so you NEED a place for them but it dosnt have to over the top or in your face.

I agree with the use of a dummy card if you don't want a sign. There are a ton of alternatives to card boxes, as long as it is by the natural path for guests they will find it. A dummy card makes sure that the guests will understand where to place their card/gift.

Here is the thing about people: they like direction! They want to know where to sit, where to put their stuff, etc. including the gifts or cash they bring for you.

We have a small basket with a dummy card. Just by the entry way and nothing else special about it. I agree no big production needed.

Gift tables are a standard at weddings. I don't think any guests are offended by them. It is helpful as a guest when you can clearly find where to leave your card. That's the first thing I look for (after I find my seat), so I can unload my card. The last two weddings that I attended each had gift tables, but they didn't have a sign that said cards. They simply had the card holders on the tables.

My venue showed us a long skinny table that can be decorated with pictures or used as a gift table. It's small enough that it's not in your face, and if it's in the corner, you can overflow to the floor.

Hope that helps!!! Good luck!!!

I like seeing an obviously decorated gift table. It lets the guests know immediately where to put their gift. IMO it can be understated with where you place the table.

Another thought ...and this is just my opinion ... I would rather see my gift sitting on a table that had some thought put into it than putting it on a table without any thought or effort as to how it looked. To me that plain table would bother me.

A non-marked table will cause an endless night of guests asking where to put the gifts/cards. A simple thank you on a table is the perfect solution.

My culture and circle, everyone gives money in cards anyways so everyone will be looking out for it. I've always seen them in the same table as the guest book and there is always someone there to help with the guest book, look after the "card box" for security and to help with placecards or seating chart.

Having said that, the boxes are usually obviously but I want to use a non-traditional gift box so I will put a sign that says "CARDS" on it so they know.

A card/gift table with card box is necessary because I don't want to leave my gift/check somewhere it might get misplaced!! Make it an obvious place guests will naturally pass. It's also a good idea to put it by the guest book so people will remember to sign your guestbook. I don't think a thank you sign is tacky at all!! I think your email is too much. If you want to incorporate a picture, include it in the written thank you's you send out later.

I personally like seeing where to put the card. I don't want to wander around looking lost trying to find it