When a family member is getting married for 3rd time do you need to give a gift?
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
United States
July 6, 2009 9:44pm CST
A family member is getting married again for the 3rd time. To top it off the marriage is to the same person they just divorced a few years ago. We have been invited to their back yard reception. I have no clue what the etiquette for gift giving is. We have gifted at the first 2 weddings, which as I said 1 included the same couple. Do we need to give again? We do not have much extra cash and we did give last time. Would a congratulations card be enough? Any Ideas?
9 responses
@Ithink (9980)
• United States
8 Jul 09
I personally wouldnt see the need to get them anything this time around unless you want too. Im sorry but for me it is for people starting out more then not. At this rate they should be happy people are coming over and over to see them once again get married.
If you must or feel you must how about a card with a 20 in it?
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
8 Jul 09
Thank you we feel the same but I just didn't know what a situation like this calls for.
@vinslounge (1295)
• India
7 Jul 09
Gift for third time marriage is a little bit over according to me and I never appreciate such a kind of things. In my country even if you are married for the second time it is quite uncommon in our society. If it is a third time marriage, i would never mind even to attend the function. Hence thers is aqbsolutely no chances of Gifting those couples even with a small Key chain. But these kind of things are common in Some of the European and American societies I suppose.
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
7 Jul 09
Though more common then it should be we do not approve of the behavior of divorce first think later. There are times where I totally believe Americans have gone too far out of the game of morals.
@froggieslover (3069)
• United States
7 Jul 09
I could be wrong but the way I see it is you don't have to give them anything if you don't want to. Gifts are not mandatory no matter if you are invited or not, there is no written law or rule saying you need to gift another..the only thing that might come of it is that your friend gets upset. I think it is fair though that if you have gifted her before and she is remarrying the same person that a card is plenty good enough.
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
7 Jul 09
That is true. My husband is against giving them anything and as it is his family I usually go with what he wants to do, I would rather not start a family war at the same time. The other question is what do you say in the card. Congrats on remarrying? They do not make cards for this type of thing.
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
7 Jul 09
Don't think there aren't family and friends making jokes along those lines....
@hiucheekeong (88)
• Malaysia
7 Jul 09
i first time heard of same people married for 3 times, good news for them, perhaps this would be the last time.
I think you should give them a gift, after all, it still a wedding party, and you are invited. but, may be you can give something meaningful but not expensive. how about a book ?
@cheekysuze (254)
• United States
7 Jul 09
That's a toughy! I haven't been in this situation before, but maybe you could make something for them? A collage of the two of them together in an artsy homemade frame? Pottery from one of those places you can decorate yourself? I'm assuming they have everything already, so you don't need to do anything extravagant. I'm interested to see what other people have to say about this. Good luck!
@OpinionatedLady (5965)
• United States
7 Jul 09
The thing is the last time they got married I did a cross stitch piece that I framed and gave with a check as well. The response was not a good one. I believe the words cheap & tacky where used more then once. Both the groom's mother and I where accused of this. They are not the type to appreciate anything but money,
@smacksman (6053)
•
7 Jul 09
I would go for something funny - like a ball and chain and a big padlock! Something to keep them together.
Do you have a local tradition of a 'bride price' or dowry?
I went to a friends wedding and he was from Rhodesia where you have to pay the bride's father 'lobola' for his daughter, usually in cattle and goats. At the reception they had a pantomime 'cow' costume rampaging through the tables of guests! Quite a hoot!
I hope it all goes well
@Courtom (287)
• Canada
7 Jul 09
Well I most likely wouldn't get them a toaster or something, lol. I think getting a gift still shows your appreciation and love. I suggest just getting a trinket. Something small, maybe even a basket with some goodies in it, like chocolate, or baked goods. Or a basket to spice up the honeymoon. Chances are she probably has gifts from her previous marriages from you in her house
@FFFrocks (306)
• Canada
7 Jul 09
wow, they dissed the first gift? Regardless of weather they liked it or not they should have appreciated the time and effort that went into making it. I wouldn't do much more that a card. Maybe a gift certificate for a nice dinner or a favorite store of theirs?