What is the difference between a congratulatory gift and a wedding gift? When to give, the market price, how to choose, etc.
wedding presentWedding GiftWedding Gift PricesHow to choose a wedding giftWhen to Give a Wedding Gift
When you learn of the marriage of a close friend or relative, you want to give a “wedding gift” to congratulate the couple on their new life together. However, since a “wedding gift” is not an absolute necessity, it is easy to get confused about what to give, when to give it, and how much to pay for it. We asked etiquette consultant Ms. Hiroko Nishide to tell us what we need to know about wedding gift etiquette. Why don’t you read this and aim for a wedding gift that will make the recipient happy?
What is a wedding gift?
Selecting a wedding gift
When giving a wedding gift in the form of a gift, there are certain items that should be avoided.
It is said that unless the recipient requests it, knives and breakable items should be avoided as they are associated with the words “cut” and “break. However, if the recipient wishes to receive a practical item such as a kitchen knife, it would be nice to send it with a message such as, “Make your life happy. Also, when giving a set of items, except for a pair of items that together make a set, it is best to avoid even numbers, which are associated with the word “divisible,” and to use odd numbers such as three or five.
Wedding gifts should be something that will be useful for the couple’s new life together. When in doubt about what to choose, the best thing to do is ask the recipient what he or she wants.
If you are not sure what to choose, the best thing to do is to ask the recipient what they want. Ask, ‘I’d like to give a wedding gift (to how many people?) Is there anything useful for their new life that we don’t already have? Ask them if there are any items that will help them in their new life that they don’t already have.
Hand delivery? Shipping? Manners of delivery
When giving a wedding gift, either hand-delivery or delivery is acceptable, but there are certain manners to keep in mind for each.
In the case of delivery, send the wedding gift with a letter or message card to convey your feelings of congratulations. In this case, it is important to include a congratulatory message such as “Congratulations on your marriage” and a wish for happiness such as “I wish you both a long and happy life together.
Also, if you give cash, be sure to prepare new bills.
If you are giving cash as a wedding gift, be sure to prepare new bills without folds and put them in a wedding gift bag. If you do not hand-deliver the gift in person, be sure to send it by registered mail.
Noshi, mizuhiki, inscription, sender. Manners of wrapping
When a wedding gift is presented in the form of a gift, the inscription should be “Kotobuki” (congratulations on your marriage), “Goshu oshukusan” (congratulations on your marriage), or “Goshukusan gogoshu” (congratulations on your marriage).
For a wedding gift, the paper should be red and white knotted or a variant of this, and the inscription should read “Kotobuki” or “Goshu Goshu” (congratulations on your marriage).
If you are giving cash as a wedding gift, place the gift in a wedding gift envelope.
The gift bag should be tied with a 10-strand gold, silver, or red and white mizuhiki (10-strand tied at the end of a knot). The amount of the gift should be appropriate to the amount of the wedding gift. Stylish and well-designed gift bags are suitable for friends and other close people.
When to give a “wedding gift
The timing of the wedding gift is also important. This section will introduce each of them, as they differ in various cases, including not only attendance at the wedding, but also the circumstances of conducting the wedding itself. In each case, it is important not to make the bride and groom feel uncomfortable.
NG Manners to avoid in wedding gifts
Wedding gifts are the best way to congratulate the bride and groom.
A “wedding gift” is an expression of the desire to celebrate the marriage of a loved one. As the recipient, you will be glad to know that the recipient took the time to prepare the gift in consideration of the recipient’s wishes and preferences, while cash is appreciated because it can be used as you wish, for example, to supplement your new life or for the wedding ceremony. So, if you know the manners and taboos and choose a wedding gift with the blessing in mind, it will be a great success. It will make your relationship even better in the future.
Interview and text by Yoshiko Tezuka
Illustrations by Tomoko Shinozuka
Hiroko Nishidethree
We spoke with…
Manner consultant. She is a member of Okinawa Resort Wedding Association. Her motto is “Sincerity in Manners®” and she has taught manners to actors, athletes, and celebrities for NHK historical dramas, movies, and commercials, and has also covered manners for the Imperial Family. She has also supervised and written more than 100 books, which have sold more than 1 million copies. The know-how that Ms. Nishide imparts can be easily incorporated into daily life and work, and is popular for its highly convincing content.
For more information about Ms. Hiroko Nishide, please visitOfficial Siteand,InstagramThe information is updated as needed on the following website.
