What to do with gifts after canceling a wedding?

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As joyous as preparations for your wedding are for you, canceling your wedding is just as traumatic. Not only are you dealing with a broken heart, notifications, questions from friends and family, but also what to do with shower and wedding gifts you have received.

1. Wedding Gift Etiquette

   • Wedding gifts include the gifts the couple receives from guests invited to the wedding ceremony and, also, any gifts received at any pre-wedding showers, such as bridal showers. Of course, wedding shower gifts have been unwrapped, but gifts from guests invited to the wedding should not be unwrapped until after the ceremony, though often the bride and groom do unwrap their wedding gifts sent to them before the day of the wedding. No wedding gift should be used before the wedding ceremony.

     When you cancel your wedding, etiquette requires that you return to the sender the gift you have received, except for engraved gifts. If temptation got the best of you and you have opened and used a gift, like an espresso maker or other cookware, for example, you must either send an identical replacement or payment of what the item cost the giver. This can apply to the engraved wedding gifts you received, too.

     You do not need to give the guest a detailed or specific reason as to why the wedding was canceled, but a short note to the sender should be included when you return the gift to the sender. An example of what a note might say when you are returning a shower gift might read like this:

     Dear friend,
     

     I am writing to inform you that by mutual consent, Steve and I have canceled our upcoming wedding. As much as I love the pitcher you gave us at my bridal shower, I am returning it to you. I will always remember the extra care and your thoughtfulness in selecting it for us.
     

     Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.
     

     Sincerely,

     For unwrapped gifts, the note can be similar but, of course, you cannot name the specific gift because you do not know what it is. Simply state the wedding is canceled, that you are returning their thoughtful gift, and appreciate their understanding.

     Returning your shower and wedding gifts must be completed within two to three months after you have canceled the wedding. Any longer delay may create resentment and annoyance by the people you had invited to celebrate what was to be your special day.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: your wedding, after canceling, after canceling wedding, before wedding, canceling wedding, from guests, from guests invited