What Is the Etiquette for Returning Wedding Gifts in a Break-Up?
Breaking off a wedding can be heartbreaking. In addition to dealing with the trauma of a break-up, a bride and groom must follow proper etiquette when it comes to returning shower and wedding gifts. Failure to follow proper rules regarding returning gifts may mean you get no gifts at all when you actually do get married.
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Who Returns What
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Upon the cancellation of your wedding, the bride must return gifts to her family and friends and the groom must return gifts given by his. The bride and groom must make a concerted effort to return all wedding and shower gifts. The returned gifts should be sent with a brief explanation on why the wedding was canceled. The note should express that the wedding was mutually canceled.
Inform Guests Immediately
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Guests should be informed of the wedding cancellation immediately so that out-of-town guests can change their plans and make cancellations. Once these guests are informed, then deal with the local guests. Phone calls should be made to ensure immediate notice. If there is time, a card should also be sent announcing the cancellation of the wedding.
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Be Positive
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Do not make a negative statement about your significant other when canceling the wedding. No matter how bad the break-up was, be positive, and do not tell everyone of his or her bad deeds. If you end up getting back together, you don't want anger and bitter statements standing between each other. Plus, it will be very awkward to have your family now despising this person.
Engraved Items
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Engraved items are difficult to return to stores. Therefore, it is OK to keep monogrammed shower and wedding gifts. It is proper etiquette, however, to at least offer to return the gift to the giver or to compensate them for the cost of the gift.
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References
- Photo Credit a gift of love image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
