Buying a wedding (not shower) gift off-registry.
By
on
March 28th, 2009
Hi there, wondering what is your opinion on this:
I am attending a wedding in a week that is out of state. We did not attend a shower but want to bring a wedding gift. The wedding is my BF’s cousin and fiance; BF is the best man. The only registry I know of has been 98% fulfilled with only dollar-items left like a nutcracker and kitchen shears.
So, boyfriend and I were thinking of going out and purchasing a really nice digital photo frame, and an SD card and loading it up with photos of the couple and family and leaving the SD inserted so that when they turn it on it displays pictures.
My other thought was to take pictures of the ceremony and then in the time between the ceremony and the reception, inserting the card in the frame and wrap it up before the ceremony. I am somewhat photoshop inclined so I also have designed a .jpeg image with both of their names and their wedding date in pretty script to run at the beginning of the photo slide show.
Thoughts on this. Acceptable or not.
Cindy says:
I think that’s fine. In my area it’s the norm to give cash so that’s always an option.
March 28th, 2009 at 2:01 am
xx says:
I think that’s a really cool idea, but it really depends on how traditional the couple we are talking about is.
March 28th, 2009 at 2:52 am
kim says:
Very good idea and very thoughtful.just the thoughtfulness will be much appreciated by the couple.
March 28th, 2009 at 3:49 am
grammie says:
Very nice and thoughtfull gift.
March 28th, 2009 at 4:36 am
diva says:
you should do your 2nd option, it like a sound really good idea, and its something that they will apperciate
March 28th, 2009 at 5:28 am
TweetySweety says:
This is acceptable
at my brother’s wedding, they took pictures of the ceremony, then actually got them developed and had a photo book wrapped up in time for the reception.
it was actually quite nice
i like the idea of pictures of the ceremony and a digital photo frame
very unique.
that way u can just buy a memory card and some batteries and pop it in there.
no problems.
March 28th, 2009 at 6:24 am
Patti says:
Acceptable. Since most of the things on the registry are already taken, the couple is very fortunate. Back in my time we didn’t use a registry and was just fortunate to get usable items, sometimes 8 sets of drinking glasses, and 3 blenders. It saves a lot of time returning and trading items. That is a very thoughtful gift, even if they have another it still can be used.
March 28th, 2009 at 7:13 am
halo1633 says:
i would do the first option, you don’t want to be scrambling btwn the ceremony and reception and you might not get great pics at the ceremony
the picture frame is a really thoughtful gift, but i think you should include maybe one other thing, maybe not something home related bc that’s what pretty much everyone is going to give them, what’s their favorite restaurant, maybe give them a gift certificate, or get them a couples massage at a local spa for whenever they get back, so they can relive the relaxing honeymoon they spent together
March 28th, 2009 at 7:51 am
curious says:
I think that’s a wonderful idea. Generally, it is custom to buy from the registry because the couple took time to specify their wishes and it saves a lot of time, confusion, and returns or unused gifts. However, since most of the registry is already purchased, your idea is a creative thoughtful alternative. It is a great way to personalize a gift that the couple can use for years to come. Taking pictures at the ceremony is also a great idea. There are likely to be some candid moments that you’ll be able to catch that their photographer will not. What a great idea. Sure beats an impersonal toaster or wine glass set and certainly will last longer and be much more memorable than a monetary gift. Kudos for your ingenuity and thoughtfulness.
March 28th, 2009 at 8:26 am
asmith says:
That is an AWESOME gift. Just make sure there’s not a digital frame on the registry.
March 28th, 2009 at 9:05 am
phantom_of_valkyrie says:
ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS IDEA. I think it’s amazing. What I would do is a bit of both. Get pictures of the couple on the SD card. Then take pictures of the ceremony and reception on the same SD card. Load all of them at the end of the reception.
If you put it in a bag, you can save yourself a lot of wrapping time. After the couple has done the cake cutting and the toast, go load the picture frame with the SD card in the photo frame.
They will love it since it will be weeks and weeks before they can see the photographer’s pictures.
March 28th, 2009 at 9:48 am
peaches8605 says:
Defiantly. If it were me I would love this. Just make sure that any gifts on the registry are not a digital photo frame OF COURSE. lol
I love the first idea. The second one I would only do if they don’t already have a professional photographer. In my opinion, if I spend money and hired a photographer, I’d enjoy the professional photos of my wedding ceremony more. Not that I’m saying that you are not a good photographer yourself. It’s best not to feel rushed while your are trying to sort through the best pictures to keep, and correcting images.unless you have plenty of time in between the ceremony and reception.
Otherwise, maybe you can get a hold of the professional images after they are finished and create a really cool slide show for the couple as their first anniversary present, since you are Photoshop inclined.
March 28th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Liz says:
I think that sounds nice and they should really enjoy it. I think you should go with your first thought on how you will do the gift.
March 28th, 2009 at 11:40 am
katie-bug says:
I LOVE the digital photo frame idea. It would be awesome to take ceremony pics and load them up before the reception and set it playing on the gift table. Just make sure that you put a tag on the frame so the bride knows who thought of such a special gift.
March 28th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
mysteri says:
i’ve always thought that it is appropriate to bring a couple a gift that is not on the registry. it’s the thought that counts right.
but i really like your idea, it’s cute and unique.
March 28th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
kill_yr_television says:
1. What to give is up to the giver, not the recipient. A registry is (theoretically at least) created as a convenience for those who might wish to give and not meant to imply that only those items on the registry will be welcomed. Your idea sounds wonderful.
2. Don’t worry about the timing so much, especially if it means trying to create and wrap up the gift during the actual party. Miss Manners tells us that it is more considerate to send gifts either before the wedding or after the honeymoon. She says that hosts are already very busy and don’t need the added responsibility of guarding your gift against theft, keeping track of who gave it, and schlepping it home afterwards.
March 28th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
*~Princess Penguin~* says:
I think that’s a great idea. And adding in pictures that day is so thoughtful. It will really surprise them. I would just scan over their registry list once more to see if a digital frame is there, and was already purchased or not. But even if they got another one from someone else, yours will be different because it’s already got the photos in it. Great idea.
March 28th, 2009 at 2:00 pm