Bride and Groom gifts?

[TinkBride]

I know there is an old tradition where the bride and groom are supposed to exchange gifts the day of the wedding. Did you all do this? And if so, what did you get eachother?

Also, while I am well aware of this tradition, I am about 110% positive that DF is not. I don't want to get him something and then have him feel bad for no getting me anything, even though I could care less if he does or not! I mean he is giving me his undying commitment that day, you can't ask for much more than that!

So did you or didn't you and what are some good ideas?

 

[Maggimus]

HAHA Okay this is where i open my mouth and insert my foot.

Before the wedding DH had purchased these diamond earrings for me. I can only imagine what he paid for ($1,000ish id assume). They were so heavy and had the screw on back. He gave them to me to wear for the wedding... and now that I come to think about it I never did give him anything (other than a new wife).

I feel really bad now. LOL.. Thanks TinkBride for bringing this all back to me-- I suppose I should make this up to him somehow.

 

[princessdisneybelle]

My DF is a musician so I am putting together a scrapbook for him with messages from some of his favorite musicians. I sent his demo to some of them and they gave him great tips. I also have pics of me in there with some of them. I know he is making me something, but won't say.

 

[cryssi]

if you want a gift, and don't think he knows about it, you better tell him about the tradition. I didn't tell DH about it, he had no idea, so when I gave him his gift after the wedding, he said "I didn't know about that! You should have told me!" So, if you think it's tacky to tell him yourself, have a friend/brother/relative casually mention the gift giving tradition to him...

...this is good advice! LOL

p.s. I got him a PSP (which btw he doesn't even play anymore and is going to sell! oh well...it was the thought that counted...)

 

[Janet2k]

I honestly had never heard of this tradition. However, for my 20th wedding anniversary two years ago, my husband and I were having a FTW custom vow renewal. I arrived in WDW about a week and a half prior to the event. I arrived by myself so that I could unwind and handle any last-minute details. At the end of my first week, my husband and our daughter arrived (our son arrived a few days later). On the night of their arrival at the resort, my husband handed me a small gift box. He said it was a little something that he had picked up at the airport during the layover. I opened the cardboard gift box and found a small porcelain trinket box. I thought it was a very sweet gift. I guess after 20 years of marriage, my husband was still capable of surprising me.

I didn’t have a gift for him that night, but I did have a surprise waiting for him. I had kept information about our Handprint Ceremony a secret from him (click here). That was a very fun surprise for me to keep.

 

[hmgolden]

We didn't exchange gifts on our wedding day. We opted to put any money we would have spent on gifts towards our honeymoon.

 

[JandJ]

DH did not know about this tradition so I told him, and he didn't believe me! I actually had to have a friend confirm it

We didn't want to spend a lot of money on each other considering we'd just bought a house and the wedding and the honeymoon, etc. so we just got little gifts that had special meaning. What he gave me was totally "me" and I know it took a lot for him to do it! I've collected porcelain dolls and Barbie dolls since I was a kid and he hates them! I mean he hates them - I have a craft room in our house and that's where all the dolls and Barbies live so he doesn't have to even see them So, after our rehearsal dinner we sat on the balcony at WL and he handed me a box and said "This is something I can't believe I got you but I know you'll love and display" and I opened it and it was Wedding Day Barbie - well if I hadn't already been convinced he was perfect that did it!! And the card he gave me, I just cried! I gave him a fancy boxed handkerchief to use the next day (which he forgot!) and a book of love quotes (and I added some of my own that reflected our relationship) which he still keeps in his desk.

So, we didn't spend a ton of money and still kept it personal and romantic!

 

[Maggimus]

That wedding barbie is so sweet Jen. I cannot believe that. Men seem somewhat emotion-less half the time, and for him to think of that is just amazing!!

 

[JandJ]

Thanks Maggie . . . yeah, he's pretty awesome

 

[happilyeverafter07]

What a sweet idea! I'm starting to look around for things to get my DF - this board has a lot of great ideas! I might get him something small on the wedding day and then surprise him with a present/activity at WDW on our honeymoon (like a special dinner or something)... but I love everything I see, so I really can't decide!

Thanks for sharing your ideas!

 

[Rustyflwr3]

We decided not to exchange gifts for our wedding. The wedding itself was a gift to each of us!! We wanted to save money and have more money for us in the future

 

[JJClemson]

Laura and Jen, wow! You two are both so creative and your DF/ DH are way too sweet

My DF definitely does not know about this tradition. What is it with guys not knowing about this stuff anyway

However, I am still going to get him something, but I don't want him to get me anything. He's been eyeing this watch and I know he wants, but I also know he will not spend that kind of money on himself right before the wedding.

IMHO, I think men always buying their wives/ fiances something. They need to buy our engagement ring and wedding ring (I know we have to buy theirs too, but mine was WAY more than his was). And, I know DF is aware of the tradition where the man buy's the woman a pink topaz or sapphire piece of jewelry after she has the first baby. So, I just feel like I should surprise him w/ something. Now that I said all that watch him get me a wedding gift

 

[TinkBride]

OH NO! I feel like a moron!

So last night I casually mention to DF that it is a tradition to do this. And he says, "i know, i already got you something and have something planned"

oops!

Now, let me explain. Part of me was *hoping* that this would not be a tradition we would partake in because my DF IS THE MOST IMPOSSIBLE MAN TO SHOP FOR!!!!!

His interests are horribly expensive. i mean VERY expensive. There is really nothing I could purchase him for the wedding that: A) I could get on an airplane or even my checked luggage without the FBI questioning me. and B) That i can afford at this moment.

I am trying to think if things to get him and i am drawing blanks. He bragged and said that my gift/plan is wonderfully romantic and encompasses everything i love.....crap.....

What can I do? I am so lost! AND I ONLY HAVE FIVE WEEKS!

 

[happilyeverafter07]

I think if you get him something heartfelt, it will mean a lot to him even if it isn't the most expensive. How about making him an album/scrapbook filled with pictures of the two of you from when you first starting dating up until your wedding? If you did this yourself, it wouldn't be that expensive, or you could also use a site like www.mypublisher.com to have it turned into a book (this can be a little pricey depending on how many pictures you use, but I've used them a lot and love everything that I have made with them). You could put notes with the pictures, which I'm sure he would love to read. I did this for our first anniversary (when we were dating), and my DF loved it (and it's great to have something like that to look back on later).

Another idea - how about a "Husband Coupon" book? You could make a little booklet with coupons like "Husband is entitled to one massage after a long day at work" or things that are personal for the two of you.

I'm sure you'll be able to think of something - there's still time!

 

[Lady V]

I honestly had never heard of this tradition. However, for my 20th wedding anniversary two years ago, my husband and I were having a FTW custom vow renewal. I arrived in WDW about a week and a half prior to the event. I arrived by myself so that I could unwind and handle any last-minute details. At the end of my first week, my husband and our daughter arrived (our son arrived a few days later). On the night of their arrival at the resort, my husband handed me a small gift box. He said it was a little something that he had picked up at the airport during the layover. I opened the cardboard gift box and found a small porcelain trinket box. I thought it was a very sweet gift. I guess after 20 years of marriage, my husband was still capable of surprising me.

I didn’t have a gift for him that night, but I did have a surprise waiting for him. I had kept information about our Handprint Ceremony a secret from him (click here). That was a very fun surprise for me to keep.

not to interrupt this thread but your ceremony and the party were amazing!! I had no idea you could book a ride and have your party in different parts?? how amazing!! where do you get this info??

 

[JandJ]

Laura and Jen, wow! You two are both so creative and your DF/ DH are way too sweet

And, I know DF is aware of the tradition where the man buy's the woman a pink topaz or sapphire piece of jewelry after she has the first baby. So, I just feel like I should surprise him w/ something. Now that I said all that watch him get me a wedding gift

Thanks - yes, he can be quite romantic when he wants to be and he is always very thoughtful I love to make him presents. For the first anniversary of our engagement I made him a small scrapbook of pictures and quotes from the day he proposed. That was fun for me too, I got to remember it all (it was a complete surprise!).

I did not know about this baby tradition of pink topaz or sapphire jewelry - I'll have to remember that for the future!!

 

[Malibelle]

I knew about the tradition but my DF did not. I reminded him and we decided together to buy a present for ourselves that we can use for many years and with our children. We just purchased the Disney Vacation Club as our gift to eachother. We figured instead of a piece of jewlery or watch that we really don't need we can have many many years of memories with our family for years to come. Its worth much more than a piece of jewlery to me.

 

[tmli]

I knew about the tradition but my DF did not. I reminded him and we decided together to buy a present for ourselves that we can use for many years and with our children. We just purchased the Disney Vacation Club as our gift to eachother. We figured instead of a piece of jewlery or watch that we really don't need we can have many many years of memories with our family for years to come. Its worth much more than a piece of jewlery to me.

What a great idea!!! My DF is a frequent reader here on the boards...so while I am sure he didn't know before, there is a good chance he will read this and know now!!

I of course did know about this and I already have a great gift planned!!

But honey if you are reading this....the DVC thing is a great idea!!!

 

[Janet2k]

...where do you get this info??

Lady V, I've been dumpster diving for years regarding unique things that can be done while on vacation in Walt Disney World (and Disneyland). The information is hard to find, but it is well worth the effort when I stumble into something.

For example, years ago I read about a FTW couple who got married on the Tower of Terror ride one morning. (Well, kinda – there’s a background story to it.) It sounded like a fun way to get hitched.

Walt Disney World is home to many fun and unique venues for conventions, reunions, weddings, vow renewals, and so on. If you can dream it, Disney can probably pull it off.

We just purchased the Disney Vacation Club as our gift to eachother.

Malibelle, what a wonderful gift. I purchased my first DVC membership as a birthday present to myself many years ago. It's my favorite birthday present. Welcome home!