What is proper etiquette in giving bridal shower and wedding gifts?

A few of my friends came to both my bridal shower and wedding last year and gave a shower gift (ranging from about $20-25) and then came to the wedding but did not give a wedding gift. Several of them are getting married soon, so should I do the same, or give gifts for both? Is it customary to some people to only do one or the other? I personally have always given gifts for both occasions, if invited, but would like to know other people's opinions.

What is proper etiquette in giving bridal shower and wedding gifts?
Invitations to the bridal shower are not always the same as to the wedding. You ask the closest people to you to the shower.All relatives,co-workers of bride,groom, both parents,classmates, family of the wedding party,etc, and friends of everyone to the wedding.Those people not invited to the shower usually give a beautifully wrapped gift or an envelope with cash or check in it at the wedding. There can also be a personal bride shower for the very best girl friends, sisters,bridal party, and sometimes the mother's where the guests bring lingerie and honeymoon type extras.You can be invited to all three but you do not have to bring a gift to all three unless it doesn't hurt you financially or if you spend less on 2 or 3 gifts but add up to what you would spend on one great gift. Just being at each celebration is enough and only give one gift for the whole wedding.Best wishes and don't get caught up in the money part of celebrating.A gift from the heart and attendance should never be overlooked as options and be gratefully appreciated..
Reply:They are two different ocassions. Generally, the bridal shower gift is something specifically for the bride (even if her husband does benefit from it). The wedding gift is for the couple. Maybe your friends are running short on cash or have no clue how these things are supposed to work. Anyway, keep doing what you've been doing. There are many blessings in store for you as you appear to be an unselfish person.
Reply:Personally I give at both. I have always seen the bridal shower as a gift for the woman and the wedding as a gift for the couple. Because of them giving one present you could either buy 2 cheap presents or give one present. If your only giving one I would recommend giving it at the bridal shower because presents are opened there. And giving just a card at the wedding just to acknowledge that you were there. Good luck!
Reply:They should of given gifts for both. Don't stoop to their level. Do the right thing and give gifts for both.
Reply:Usually a bridal shower consists of the bride receiving gifts for her trousseau which is lingerie and clothing items. The wedding gifts is usually stuff to put in the home since you were a newlywed yourself and you got mostly items for the home and a wishing well. You don't have to, but it's up to you whether you give a gift or not. It's not a requirement it's a matter of personal choice.
Reply:Two gifts - one for the shower and one for the wedding. It's only on Answers that I have recently read of people thinking that if they give a bridal shower gift that they don't give a wedding gift. Don't know where they got that from! Be nice, and give gifts for both, even if they didn't for you.
Reply:By etiquette, the ONLY time in life that a gift is required is if you choose to attend a shower, then you must bring to the shower a physical gift (not money or gift certificates), and it's usually a smaller gift or something handmade.





Wedding gifts are NOT obligatory. People give one only if they want to and can afford to.





That is not only my opinion, but the opinion of nationally recognized etiquette authority Judith Martin!
Reply:Bridal shower is the time they give gifts and don't need to give on the wedding. It covers the wedding. It is meant for the wedding.
Reply:Hi,





A handmade portrait (Oil or other mediums) from a photo that you choose can be a very personal and unique gift.





Try: www.paintyourlife.com





I think you will like it and more important the gift receiver will love it!





Good luck
Reply:I've always given for both. For my bridal shower, I received most of the items off my registry and most people just gave cash in cards at the wedding. It's entirely up to you what to spend.
Reply:well, here's how it's done with some.... however it's entirely up to you! increase their gift by the cost of living -- approximately 3% -- giving them exactly what they gave you!





personally i couldn't do that but then again - i'd never go to a wedding with out an envelope. my cousin and i recently went to gether to a wedding. to find out what we should give, we looked up what she gave to her wedding and since it was 2 years ago increased by 10%.
Reply:Just one gift will suffice. It is impolite to send someone an invitation to a bridal shower who will not be receiving an invitation to the wedding, therefore, it is like asking them to gift twice.





However, if there is a bridal shower, a bachelorette party or lingerie party and a wedding, then I would gift twice - for the bachelorette or lingerie party, and for the bridal shower or the wedding.