When planning Weddings, I always advise that a gift list of some sort should be included when sending our the inviations. However, I recently attended Wedding Reception of an old school friend who didn't include a gift list. I always like to take a wrapped gift, so I went a bought a gift that I liked in the hope that my friend would like it too. Several weeks have now passed since the big day, and I've heard nothing. I advise that thank you cards should be sent within 4 weeks following the wedding (Its amazing how much you can have prepared before you jet off on honeymoon!). I am beginning to wonder where they actually recieved the gift or whether they just didn't like it?
Whether you like it or not, sending a thank you card in a must, its just good manners. Guests send on average £50 on a gift, so the cost of a stamp and a small card really is a small gesture in showing your thanks.
It brings us to the question, should you include a gift list in an evening only inviation? A number of brides I haveworked with have thought that it seems rude. It is not rude, it stops guests (like me) buying a gift that you might not want. At least by supplying a list you are giving your guests a few options to choose from. Whether they decide to buy from the list is a whole different story, but you are half way there by supplying a list!
My advise - always include a gift list in an evening inviation and sending thank you cards promptly. It avoids your guests having worries that you didn't like the gift or you simply didn't recieve it.
Enjoy!
Elle xxx
P.s Using a department store gift list or a specialist service offered in larger shops and dedicated specialists means you can know before the Wedding who has bought gifts, so you can write out the thank you cards in advance then fill in the details on the gift they purchased at a later date!
