A recent wedding has sparked a heated discussion online after a bride expressed her disappointment over the lack of gifts from her guests.
In a post that went viral, she revealed that around 70% of her attendees did not bring any gift or even a card to celebrate her special day.
This bride took to Reddit to voice her frustrations, asking if it was acceptable to feel upset about the situation.
She clarified that she wasn’t expecting lavish gifts.
However, she was surprised that close friends and family didn’t even bring a simple card.
“Knowing how expensive weddings are in general, I thought at least a homemade card would be nice,” she lamented.
Gift-giving for the bride is no longer necessary at weddings
The average cost of hosting a wedding in the United States can exceed $26,000.
This high expense makes it understandable that couples feel hurt when guests arrive empty-handed.
The bride’s disappointment highlights a growing trend among younger guests, especially from Generation Z.
Many now feel that gift-giving is no longer necessary at weddings.
Recent surveys highlight that a significant percentage of Gen Z guests are comfortable attending weddings without bringing gifts.
According to a study from August 2024, about 72% of Zoomers believe it’s acceptable to enjoy the festivities without contributing a gift.
Interestingly, this trend isn’t limited to just Gen Z.
Many millennials, Gen Xers, and even baby boomers also feel that it’s acceptable to skip gifts.
The survey found that 61% of millennials and 58% of Gen Xers share similar sentiments about gift-giving.
This indicates that the decline in gift-giving spans multiple generations.
Why do Gen Zers don’t want to give wedding gifts for the bride anymore?
Experts suggest that this shift may not stem from rudeness, but rather from financial constraints.
Many young adults are facing significant economic challenges, such as student loans and rising living costs.
A study indicated that 31% of young guests feel there aren’t enough affordable gift options available on wedding registries.
Additionally, 30% of respondents mentioned feeling like they were invited primarily to provide a gift rather than to celebrate the couple.
Moreover, the issue of financial burdens extends beyond gift-giving.
Many young adults are also hesitant to take on roles like bridesmaids or groomsmen due to the high costs associated with participating in weddings.
One TikTok creator shared her experience of spending approximately $12,000 to be part of several bridal parties in a single year.
She announced her decision to decline future invitations, highlighting the financial strain these events can impose.
Social media users react to the bride’s claims
The bride’s experience has resonated with many people who believe that attending a wedding should include some form of acknowledgment.
Even a small token is considered important by those who value traditional wedding etiquette.
Commenters on her post expressed their agreement, suggesting that it’s customary to bring at least a modest gift.
Can’t afford a gift but somehow can afford the latest overpriced phone along with the monthly bill, don’t want to pay off their loans and expect subsidies for a home mortgage down payment?
The worst part is they will vote for the person who will promise, not necessarily give, this to them, one user said.
Last time we went to a wedding, wegave a cash gift of $100.
That was all we could afford. Never received a thank you card or any acknowledgment of the gift, the second user said.
I was thinking perhaps if this is a destination wedding it might be correct not to expect people to buy a dress, flight and accommodations and still expect a gift, the third user affirmed.