Frequently Asked Questions About Weddings

Find out the answers to the most commonly encountered questions on the topic of weddings ...

1. Who should send wedding gifts?
2. Do I have to buy a gift from a wedding list?
3. How much should I spend?
4. When should I send a gift?
5. Where should the gifts be sent?
6. What should I do if I haven't received a thank you letter?
7. How should I address couples?
8. What about single guests?
9. How should I address children?
10. What if there are more than one boy or girl?
11. Can I use nicknames?
12. Can I abbreviate at all?
13. Can I use labels when addressing the envelope?
14. How do I find out about getting married overseas?
15. Will our overseas marriage be legal once we get back home to the UK?
16. Can our foreign marriage be registered in the UK?
17. We have been asked to provide a certificate of no impediment. What is this, and how do I go about getting one?
18. How do I get an apostille?

1. Who should send wedding gifts?

   There is a certain amount of tradition to be observed in the sending of wedding presents, and the generally held principles are:

   • All those attending the wedding ceremony and the reception afterwards are expected to send a gift.
   • It is not compulsory to send a gift where the invitation is to the evening party only.
   • As long as they have been invited, relatives should send a present whether they attend the wedding or not.
   • There is no need for a friend to send a present when they have declined the invitation, although it is usual to do so when the cause is illness or other unavoidable reason.

   Back to the questions

2. Do I have to buy a gift from a wedding list?

   No. A wedding list is for your convenience and you are not limited to what is on it. Having said that, choosing something from the list does ensure that the couple will be getting something that they really want.

   Back to the questions

3. How much should I spend?

   There is absolutely no rule on this, it is completely up to you. Let your fondness for the bride and groom and your budget be your guide.

   Back to the questions

4. When should I send a gift?

   You should really send the gift (or purchase it from the registry) before the wedding or as soon as possible after. Although in theory you have a whole year after the wedding in which to send your present, it really should be sent right away or within three months of the wedding.

   Back to the questions

5. Where should the gifts be sent?

   All presents sent before the wedding should be sent to the bride, if she is living separately from the groom. If they are sent afterwards, they should be addressed to both the bride and bridegroom at their new home. If the couple are already living together before the wedding, the host should make it clear whether the presents are to be sent to the couple's home, or to the bride's parents' house.

   Back to the questions

6. What should I do if I haven't received a thank you l...

Click here to read more from InterWedding.co.uk