OK, so unless you’re lucky enough right now to be living under a rock, you’re probably walking around like the rest of us with a feeling of dread as we all watch our economy sink deeper and deeper, and you really can’t help wonder how it will affect your wedding.
You’re pinching your pennies and cutting corners wherever you can on your wedding, but what about your guests? You want to be mindful of how the economy is affecting everyone right now, and this starts with your registry.
What do you register for when you can safely assume most people are watching their every dollar. Whenever it comes to registering, it is always best to have many different “price points,” but is it even OK anymore to have expensive items at all on your registry? My advice—go heavy on the mid-level price points, offer lots of low price point items (so people can opt to buy you a bunch of small things), and add as many high price gifts as you want —but don’t expect to see them in the “already purchased” category. Of course, you may be pleasantly surprised, but it is prudent to be prepared, just in case. Also—keep in mind—if people are traveling to be with you at your wedding, they may very well consider this their gift to you. Etiquette suggests this is not proper, but I think during these tough economic times, etiquette might be suspended here.
I hate to sound so shallow, but someone has to say it because I know many of you are thinking it, can you reasonably expect in this economic climate to break even on your wedding (and believe me—many people do expect this!) I hate to say it, but unless you’re serving KFC at a public park, the most you can expect, in my professional opinion right now, is 20% back in cash, 80% in miscellaneous gifts either from your registry, handmade by your guests or even a re-gift!
Although this is one of the few times in your life where it’s OK to be selfish, it’s important to try to remember that weddings are not for our friends and family to buy us gifts. The same way Miss Manners tells us that when we visit someone’s home it’s a nice gesture to buy a hostess gift such as a bottle of wine or a pretty candle, it’s not mandatory. Same goes for a wedding—and in a tough economic climate—you really need to re-set your expectations.
I know that some of you believe that if you are spending an enormous amount of money on your guests, you are entitled to an enormous (or at least considerable in “size”) gift. The problem is, just because you’re spending $250 per person, doesn’t guarantee you a $250 gift.
So, call it bad luck (or whatever you’d like) that you’re getting married during this difficult time, but don’t spend too much time at your pity party. Instead, try to focus on your loved ones and how they will be gathering for this incredible moment in your lives. Yes, you may have invited their entire family and all they could afford to give you is a card, but honestly, (and yes—very corny and cliché!), the only thing that matters in the end is that you get to share this very special moment with the people who are most important to you.
Stay tuned for Part II of “Getting Married in a Tough Economy: Small Cuts, Big Rewards”
Until then …
Xoxo
Sam
Posted by Samantha at 11:41 a.m.
- samantha-goldbergs-red-carpet-weddings's blog
- Log in or register to post comments
