Gift giving etiquette ?

Question

If you have received invitations to a engagement party, bridal shower and wedding for the same couple, is it necessary to give 3 gifts?

How does this work? Thanks

Answer 1

It all depends on how close you are, and how much you're willing and able to spend. I would probably be inclined to give 1 better gift as a wedding present than 3 smaller ones. Can you avoid going to all 3? This is really overkill!  Bring them a matching pair of "ball and chains".

Answer 2

First, you don't ever "have to" give a gift.  That being said, it's usually expected at the wedding and shower, not so much for the engagement party, but sometimes the parents will.  If you really feel like you want to give something at the engagement party, I would say a nice card, but nothing else.  The bridal shower is usually something for the bride, and can be small, more sentimental, cute or raunchy and not necessarily practical.  The wedding is when people bring the big gifts out.

Answer 3

I've been in the same situation. What I  have done in the past is skip one, not bring a real "gift" to the engagement party, bring a small gift off the registry to the bridal shower and give a good gift or a check at the actual wedding. Many people will give the actual gift at the bridal shower since it's not good to bring gifts to the wedding unless they are monetary. Etiquette wise you have up to a year to give a wedding gift so if finances are the issue you have time to get it together.

Answer 4

No. Just give something on the shower and that's the gift for the couple for their wedding.  

Answer 5

You don't have to give any thing at all to an engagement party.  Though you can give something small, like some nice bath goodies, or a favourite treat (like chocolate or etc), or a gift card for a favourite store or restaurant.

For a bridal shower, you can maybe go together with another couple or friends to buy something nice, without it getting too expensive.

A wedding gift is always good taste.