I have THREE weddings to attend this summer and I am a very broke grad student. I can't afford nice wedding gifts but I still want to somehow show my support for them. \n\nHow do I approach this situation? Also, I have been invited to a bridal shower and am afraid that I'll be embarassed and will look cheap if I don't show up with a nice gift.\n\nAny suggestions/comments/ideas/opinions??
134396
A great and inexpensive thing to do would be to show up at the shower with your camera. Take photos of the shower and then after the shower, scrapbook them or put them in a small album and give it to them.\n\nPlus you dont have to spend $50 per person, spend 25.00 and get thems something small from their registry - then you'll be getting them what they want so they'll be happy..\n\nTry a bottle of wine for the couple with 2 pretty glasses in a basket - looks like more but is very nice. Or a bag of yankee candle votive candles in a basket that you decorate with a big bow. She'll love it.\n\ndo you have a cool photo of her and the fiance>? frame it - turn it into black and white or sepia and frame it -\n\nand besides - your friends dont want you to go broke they want you to share their happiness. I'm sure they'll understand - just go to the shower and enjoy.
323671
You are not really obligated to bring another gift. You might feel awkward showing up empty handed. You could perhaps chose to bring a bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers. Also if you bring a card(without money), others don't know if it contains money or not, but it looks good.
493616
These ideas are some from gifts my husband has given me, or I have heard of from other women, or things that I want :)  So maybe they will help you imagine what would work for you!  :)  This is kinda fun!! lol\nA ticket for a weekend for two at a romantic Bed and Breakfast\nA check for her to use for her - only her - for personal things and clothes.\nI would love very very nice pajamas with a matching robe (but if she is a mother with young kids she probably would want something more practical)\njewelry - the best, of course, or the best that you can afford.\na jewelry cabinet - they are the big ones that are like mini dressers - the run from 99. to over 400.  It holds alot of jewelry!\nA special piece of furniture - an antique rocker, antique hope chest - I would personally love it if he bought something from an antique store but she might prefer new things.\nwhatever her hobby might be - give her somethign that is really cool in her realm of hobbies - like very nice easel for painting, or new oil paints and expensive sable brushes, or waterpaints, or a gift certificate for her favorite hobby store.....  this would work for me but not all women and you would know if it would work for your wife!  \nplane tickets to a warm beautiful place for a vacation for the two of you for sometime in January!  wow -THAT would be cool!\nI know that I buy myself stuff through out the year but when Christmas comes - I want something I wouldn't normally buy myself, something seen as extravagant, something that makes me feel like I am really special to the person that bought it for me.  \nA special gift from an antique store just melts my heart.  That means that it is more than likely one of a kind and really specially chosen for me.   But if she doesn't have those same feelings then she might think it's junk and that you were cheap! yikes!\nAnother thing is if she has shown any interest - you could call your local university and see if the adult ed classes are having dancing lessons and you could sign you and her up for a few weeks of dancing classes.  The classes all over the U.S. are filling up with people who have never danced before who want to learn.  My husband and I went last summer and while we probably flunked the classes, we laughed the whole time we were in the class and had a great time!  It was a lot of fun!\nYou can also ask a female relative or one of your wife's best friends what she might be wanting and what they think.  Not knowing your wife makes it hard for me to answer, but on the other hand I am telling you things that might be new and different, too.  :)\nVery best of luck to you and your wife is really lucky to have a thoughtful (and early!) husband!!
300359
You can if you want to.  A lot of brides do.  I'm getting married in a few weeks and we decided not to exchange gifts just because we don't have the extra money, plus we decided to buy a dog after the wedding.
492536
List your priorities.  What is important to you about your wedding?  Be realistic as you make your list.\n\nGuest list is the hardest part of the wedding.  Lets look at something realistic.  Large family-little money.  Is the family itself large or is it cousins and aunts and uncles?  If it is extended family, then you have a choice.  You can have the small wedding you actually want and save money OR you can have a huge wedding with people you may love, but cant afford...and be paying off the wedding with interest for years.  I was in the same situation.  If my husband and I would have invited more than siblings, parents and grandparents we would have had over 300 people.  No way.  And picking and choosing the aunt that can come and the uncle who cant is a way to have a feud of epic proportions.  So...you need to make your choice.  \n\nOnce you know the side of it all you can go from there.  Dress?  I got my dress for $350.  See if you have a friend that can lend you a veil....that will save money.  A dress that is called a "wedding dress" is more than a nice ivory dress you like.  (generally)  Or tell your wedding dress person that you are on a budget and see what they have.  You wont be the first and you wont be the last to not want or be able to afford a $5000 dress for one day.\n\nPlace?  Esp for smaller weddings, a nice yard is perfect.  It allows people to be more relaxed and have a better time.  What about a campground?  Many have nice indoor/outdoor ampitheaters that also have a bit of shade.  Or a friend's cabin.  I found tent rental to be expensive for here, but price around.\n\nPhotographer?  Is there a college near you?  See if there are any classes for photography and see if the instructor or students are interested.  (make sure you see work first!)  Ask your officiant, they will know of good ones too.\n\nCake?  Culinary school near by?  Small mom & pop's place?  Safeway grocer?  Costco?  All will save.  I found cupcakes to be cheaper and more personal.  You can also have more flavours for people.  A cake stand can rent for $25 or you can buy cupcake trees.  (they can be pricey...see if a cake place can rent a tiered cake thing for less and do the cupcakes on it)\n\nTalk to your hubby to be and see if you can agree on cutbacks.  You dont want your wedding day to be full of dollar signs rather than love.\n\nGood luck.  :)
453323
I think it was not very courteous of the maid of honor to go ahead with the invites before checking with you. \n\nYes, I think the mother of the bride will normally give a gift at the shower if you are there. If you are not able to attend then it does not matter when you give it to her.
258488
The bride is to puchase for her Attedants - Bridesmaids, Maid of Honor, Guestbook Attendant, Gift table Attendant, Flower Girl. For her mother and father. For the Groom's mother and father(groom and bride together), and for the groom.\n\nThe groom has to purchase gifts for his Attendants- Groomsman, Bestman, Ringbearer, Paige, $100 dollar donation to pastor or officiant, both sets of parents, and the bride.\n\nGrandparents aren't usually included, but that would be a nice jesture. Just think of everyone that is involved in the actual wedding ceremony and there is your answer. Also, if you have a wedding planner or coordinator - I'm sure they would appreciate a small gift......Think of your wedding like a weird christmas.........good luck!!!
622491
If you are the maid of homor you should be in charge of organizing the bridal shower. You have to vhooose a theme for the bridal shower I.e. Lingerie, kitchen stuff, silly stuff, etc.\n\nTthe gift in the bridal shower doesn't have to be expensive, since you are still obligated to give them a gift for the wedding. Tha idea of a bridal shower is a rather informal and intimate gathering. The idea is to have fun and to be silly too. If you choose to have a theme and have gifts along that theme for instance" "household" , "gardening", "lingerie" "kitchen" etc. \n\nI hope this helps.
492042
YES....you're not going out, so, cut back on the personalized spontaneous gifts.  Be nice, just without all of the other stuff.  Nice guys are hard to find.  Godloveya.
116154
I think graduation gifts are sometimes the hardest to shop for.  Do you get the grad a fun gift they will enjoy, or a practical gift they need and will use?  Though impersonal, gift cards are sometimes the best option so they can get what they want.  My friend's mom coordinated his gifts by registering at a store for things he would need for college life.  The cool part was that most of his gifts were wrapped in new bath towels or washcloths that he would need as he moved out on his own.  Another gift he got was like an assorted gift basket of different items, but put in a new laundry basket.  If your friend is planning on moving to a college dorm or out on his/her own after graduation, household items might be a good idea.  One gift I got when I graduated high school was personalize stationary with envelopes and stamps and a phone card so I could "keep in touch".  I don't know if a guy would go for that though...  Whatever you decide, make sure there is a lot of thought behind the gift.  You can even "dress up" a gift card by putting it in a CD you know he'll like.  Good luck!
238365
Nope, the bridal shower is traditionally given for the bride by her bridesmaids.  Not the future mother-in-law.  \n\nYou also should be have a say in where the rehearsal dinner is at.  A BBQ, with lots of icy' buckets of drinks...do it in red and white checkered.\n\nShow her fun and family don't have a price tag.
66479
It is your wedding do what makes you guys happy. And don't worry about what other people think.  But if you do feel it a bit awkward, or want to find another way.  Have a picture blown up, or leave a chair open durning the cermony.   But this day is about you guys so do what your heart is telling you.
98881
go to department stores and tell them you want to find out if your friends are registered for gifts and then you can find out names and dates of weddings. just get a diffrent person each time to do it and not at the same store... have fun.......
232154
Have a small bridal party, one or two bridesmaids/groomsmen and ask them to pay for their own clothing for the day(or No bridesmaids/groomsmen).  \nHave the ceremony at the church where you are a member...if you have a church.  They often give lower prices and provide a lot of ammenities.  For example my chuch only cost $200 and they had a wedding/reception coordinator, did all the clean up after wards, served at the reception, provided plates/serving ware/utensils/cups and mixed the punch for the reception.  \nUse fake/silk flowers.\nHave a cake/punch reception instead of serving a meal. \nHave a sheet cake instead of a tiered cake, or have a small tiered cake for the wedding party/parents and a sheet cake to feed all the other people. \nLimit the guest list to Family/extended family. \nMake your invitations or buy them at Staples, Wal-Mart, etc.\nHave a basic ceremony, no unity candle(s).\nKnow what you want, don't let the sales people talk you into bigger/better/more expensive.  \n\nREMEMBER: The wedding day is about you and your soon to be husbands love for each other, not the decorations.
169065
Are you officially married?  Do you love the person your with? Were your guests your close friends and family?  If yes, then most likely, the guests were just happy to be there to share such a joyous event.  What the event looked like, or actually cost, or what the service was like, means nothing compared to the joy, happiness, friendship, and company that's shared on a wedding day.  If you still feel upset about the reception, invite some of your closest friends/relatives, and throw a backyard bbq or small dinner.  That way, you can share some special time with the people you care about without having to worry about everything working out perfectly.\n\nCongratulations! Best of luck with your new marriage!
124103
I am not sure if this is the same thing as a "come and go" event, but we have a very large family and often hold what we call "open houses".  I advise a 2-3 hour time frame for the event.  Refreshments can be very simple, especially if you hold the shower during the afternoon hours of 2-5 or 1-4 since this is after lunch and before dinner.  Use small plates, 6 or 8 inch and provide finger foods - fresh veggies with dip, cut-up fresh fruit, small appetizers such as little quiche or little sausages wrapped around crescent roll dough.  Dessert can be sugar cookies made in hearts with the wedding date or bride and groom's names written on them.  Miniature cupcakes would be cute, too.  Provide something that will "unite" all the guests since they won't all be there at the same time.  Maybe provide a recipe card and a 3x5 card in each guest's invitation.  Have them bring a favorite recipe on the recipe card and some "advice" for the happy couple on the 3x5 card.  Have a pretty basket available to put the card in.  As each guest leaves, give them something small as a momento since you won't be able to do much in the way of games.  Perhaps a small votive candle or a little potpourri wrapped in tulle and ribbon that match the colors of the bride's colors.  After the party, as the bride-to-be unwraps each gift, take a digital or poloroid picture of her with the gift and send it in the thank-you card to the giver.  Make sure everyone has a name tag since the guest list is large.  Another option may be to consider a different venue for the party.  A church social hall, a school gym or cafeteria, a park with a gazebo, someone's back yard, may be possibilities to allow all guests to be there at the same time.  Also, if you have anyone nice enough to ask what they can do to help, be sure to accept their offer and see if they can either help set-up or clean-up or perhaps bring a veggie tray or make cookies.  This will help financially and will be less stress for you.
376730
When I got married I had a friend call me and tell me that she was just so broke and she felt bad but she just could not afford to be a bridesmaid. Now, my husband and I made the decision to pay for her expenses but if we hadn't decided on that or couldn't have done that it would have been fine for her to miss the wedding. She's my friend and I'll love her no matter what and when you're broke..you're broke...How selfish it would be for me to get mad about something like that. If she's really a good true friend, you should be able to talk to her about this.