Introducing the D Weddings ABCs of Etiquette: Sure, you can flip through Emily Post’s bible of good manners, but what do Dallas brides, planners, and guests expect when it comes to local wedding etiquette? Dallas wedding experts tell us how to graciously navigate every wedding-day situation.
Who gives what to whom? Sally Lutz of St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange unwraps (get it?) the expectations for who the bride and groom and parents of the couple should gift and why.
Bride and Groom
You aren’t required to exchange gifts with each other, but you are expected to give gifts to members of your wedding party. “Gifts for the attendants should reflect the bride and groom’s personalities and fit with the budget that is comfortable for them,” she says. Ideas include: picture frames, custom stationery, monogrammed totes, and makeup bags for girls; pocket squares, flasks, monogrammed dopp kits, or toiletry bags for guys.
Parents of the Couple
Don’t forget to thank any party hosts with a nice gesture, as well—even with just a handwritten thank-you note. The bride and her mother usually handle these, unless a host is closer to the groom’s family. “In general, gifts are designed to be a token of thanks,” Lutz says. “It’s easy to get carried away with bigger and more elaborate gift giving, but it isn’t necessary. Small, carefully chosen, beautifully wrapped gifts are lovely and fine.”
