Dear Diane,
Next spring, one of my friends is having a rustic country wedding at a scenic, California ranch. I am delighted to attend and have carefully budgeted for the airfare from Boston to show my support. I’ve heard that if you are traveling out of state for a wedding, you are not obligated to buy the newlyweds a gift. Although saving the money would certainly help with my finances, I also want to make sure I am following proper protocol when it comes to destination wedding etiquette. In this scenario, would it be acceptable for me to skip the gift?
Sincerely,
Terry P.
Dear Terry,
You are one special friend, and I am sure the bride-to-be is very appreciative of your efforts to attend the wedding. Unfortunately, there is no gift-giving exception for destination weddings. As a token of your good wishes, arrive with a gift as part of being a gracious guest. However, this does not mean you have to break the bank. Review the wedding registry for lower-priced items to see what could work with your budget. The couple likely realizes that because of the travel expenses, not everyone will be able to give pricey gifts. Even if it’s small, the thoughtfulness is what counts.
Good luck,
Diane
