CasaSugar

How You Should Split Up Your Wedding Gift Budget

Emily Co — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:52:56 PDT

We've gotten many questions on how much to give newlyweds, and not to mention, the preparties leading up to the big day - engagement party, bridal shower, and bachelorette party. With too many parties to account for and a never-ending list of things to spend money on, such as the cost of traveling to the wedding (and if you're in the bridal party, the dress, shoes, and accessories - gah!), you need to make sure that your spending doesn't get out of control.

The best way to figure out your expenses for the gifts is to set a budget for the whole wedding and split it up among the different events. Here's what our savvy pal LearnVest had to say about this:

For gifts, determine your gift budget per couple for the wedding season. Once you have this number, Eisinger recommends breaking down the gift budget by these percentages for the events:

50%: wedding

20%: engagement

25%: shower

5%: bachelorette

Eisinger says the most important thing is to refer again and again to your budget: “Over the course of a year, you’re not thinking about the bigger picture of what you’re spending on a wedding. You’re thinking it’s only $50 this week and $20 this week, but it is actually $100 spread out over a period of time.”

Read on for more great wedding saving tricks from LearnVest.

6 Delicious Wedding Gifts Not on the Registry

Katie Sweeney — Tue, 24 May 2011 03:15:56 PDT

When it comes to wedding gifts, it's standard to select something practical, like china, off of the registry. However, if the bride and groom are foodies, why not consider presenting them with an awesome culinary experience instead? I've got six scrumptious suggestions that would also make wonderful birthday, anniversary, or Father's Day gifts.

Gift certificate to a restaurant. Select a fancy restaurant in the couples' home town. Place the gift certificate in a pretty card and write a note suggesting that they enjoy a meal together to celebrate their six-month anniversary. (For those couples who prefer to register for special dinners, you can do so at FoodieRegistry.)
Cooking classes. There's tons of awesome culinary classes out there, select one that suits the cooking style of the happy couple. If the bride and groom are really into cheese, purchase tickets to a cheese-making class. Likewise, if they're adventurous, present them with passes to a butchery class.

Check out the other four suggestions after the break.

How Much to Give a Newlywed Couple? Readers Say From $50 to $100

SavvySugar — Mon, 23 May 2011 03:05:53 PDT

Although there are many that think cold hard cash is a very impersonal gift, you have to admit that it is practical - you know the couple will undoubtedly use it. I'm always discussing with friends what the right amount is to give during a wedding, and the most common answer is $100. Turns out, readers think along the same lines and 45 percent say they spend between $51 to $100.

The next popular choice is spending $101 to $150 with 20 percent of readers saying they give that much to the wedded couple. Then there is the surprisingly generous minority, 11 percent, who say they usually give over $200.

There are of course certain factors you might take into account, such as your relationship with the bride and groom and your budget, but do you think the number sounds about right?

Keep or Toss These 6 Registry Rules

Emily Co — Thu, 19 May 2011 05:00:41 PDT

Wedding season can get a bit pricey if you're attending a couple this Summer. After all, each event requires yet another gift for the happy bride and groom. There are plenty of gift registry rules out there that seem a bit dated and unreasonable for post-recession survivors. Read on to have your say in which rule is still appropriate in this frugal day and age.

Your Best Wedding Gifts

Tara Sharp — Thu, 19 May 2011 04:00:00 PDT

I asked a handful of my long-time married and freshly hitched friends, as well as our faithful Facebook fans, what the best wedding gift you received was. From the splurge-y to the sentimental, you all shared the gifts that made the greatest impact on you. Some were experience gifts, some were just registry items that get used on a daily basis, and some were boudoir-related - always appreciated by newlyweds. Besides the always practical but not-too-exciting monetary gift, which a lot of our Facebook fans seemed to love the most, here are the top wedding presents our friends and readers received. And be sure to take notes for the next time you receive a save the date!

How Much Cash Do You Usually Give Newlyweds?

Emily Co — Wed, 18 May 2011 03:05:46 PDT

A gift registry can sometimes feel quite limiting, so some of you may opt for giving some cash to the newlyweds. It's nice to know that the couple will be able to use the money towards their new house or even to cover some of the wedding costs. There are so many rules out there on how much to give, so I'm wondering what wedding gift money rules work for you. If you tend to give money to newlyweds instead of giving a present, how much do you usually give?

4 Wallet-Friendly Tips For Gifting the Bride and Groom

Emily Co — Tue, 17 May 2011 10:21:16 PDT

You're happy for the two lovebirds, but the gifts on their wedding registry are way out of your budget. Drop the old tradition of resorting to the cheapest gift on the registry when you're strapped for cash! instead, take a more modern, savvy approach and pick a personalized gift that'll portray your thoughtfulness and give your wallet a breather. Dana LaRue, from The Broke-Ass Bride blog gives us some tips on the smart way to give below.

If you need more ideas on how to save on your wedding, join @BrokeAssBride and @SavvySugar Twitter chat this Thursday at 5 p.m. PST. The hashtag is #svychat. See you there!

Check Out Coupon Codes: Never hit "purchase" on an online order without checking RetailMeNot.com for a coupon or promo code. You can score percentages off, free shipping and more by doing some stealthy searching around the web, which adds up to big savings!
Go With the Gift of Experience: Sometimes experience is the best gift of all. Rather than a novelty gift or trinket that will just sit on a shelf, show your gratitude by taking your giftee out on an adventure that suits their interests. A fancy gourmet dinner out (or cooked at home with love) will satisfy your foodie friends, a hike and picnic out in nature will tickle your hippie-buddy's heart, massages at the spa for your luxury-loving sister, or tickets to a concert or play could be just the thing for your cultured crew. Personalizing the gifts for each recipient is a very special touch that will not be soon forgotten.

Read on for more tips.

Ask a Savvy Bride: My Friend Gave Me a Cheapo Gift!

SavvySugar — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:00:05 PDT

Wedding season can be stressful and full of conundrums and etiquette concerns. Share your advice for this bride-to-be and share your questions in the Ask Savvy group.

Dear Savvy,

A close friend of mine lives out of town and wasn't able to make it to my bridal shower, but she sent a gift. A while back after my engagement party, she made a comment that still doesn't sit well with me - she said I didn't have enough nice things on my registry. I feel very secure with what I've chosen so I ignored her, but when I opened my shower gift, I was completely taken aback - she gave me an accent pillow with an embroidered comment about sports that felt like a gag gift! To set the record straight, money is no object for this friend, and after her rude remarks and uncharacteristic behavior over the past few months, I can't help but feel slighted that she spent less than $20 on something so thoughtless! Am I overreacting?

Disgruntled Bride-to-Be

To see the Savvy Bride's advice,

read more. The Savvy Bride says: Well, under the circumstances, I don't blame you for feeling a little disappointed about her gift. Her comments about your registry were no doubt inappropriate, and she's certainly made herself heard by choosing to shop off the registry, so perhaps she was trying to take the gag gift approach? Unfortunately, in a situation like this, it's best if you keep your feelings to yourself (at least for now). Your frustration could come off the wrong way and from my viewpoint, it sounds like you're more upset about her lack of respect for your wedding day than you are about the amount of money spent. One thing I've learned from being engaged and planning a wedding is some people show their true colors during this time. If she's not willing to support you, perhaps you should just take a step back and wait for the dust to settle until after you say I do. In the meantime, let's just hope she redeems herself with a nice wedding gift - something on your registry this time! Ask anything budget-, etiquette-, or planning-related - well, almost anything - by posting your questions in the Ask Savvy group, and I'll find the right expert to help you out. If you are planning a wedding, already happily wed, or still looking for Mr. Right, start sharing your big day with our community. Don’t forget to check the wedding content box on your post.

Open House: What Is Your Favorite Wedding Gift?

CasaSugar — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:00:00 PDT

Most engaged couples can hardly wait to get their blinged out hands on the registry guns at Crate and Barrel. While I admit to beeping my way through a few major stores as part of my pre-nuptial preparations, some of my favorite and most precious gifts were those that I didn't even think to add to my bridal wish list. A massage table (funky but fun!), an air mattress (for guests), and our wedding invitation framed with a note all make the top of my list, though I do think my Anna Weatherly china still holds the top spot. It dresses up my dining room table for special occasions and adorns the walls, too!

What's your favorite wedding gift - to give or that you've received? Tell me and I'll make a list for us all to share!

Sexy Little Things: 15 Fabulous Finds to Gift the Bride-to-Be

FabSugar — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:00:22 PDT

Playful and provocative underthings are a bridal necessity. So, do the bride-to-be a favor, and gift the sexiest kind. What's in store is ultra hot - cutout teddies, lacy little bikinis, and lace-up corsets. It's super sultry lingerie at its best - and it's not limited to wedding whites. Click on to get some inspiration and show up to the bachelorette with something spectacular in tow.