What do I bring to a wedding ?

On the wedding day, nothing.

Do I send flowers ?

If you can't be here, send some flowers.

If you're a friend or a relative of the bride, send some flowers to her parents' place. If you know the groom, send them to his parents' place.

But you also need a present of course. There's something you must know that is not always (in fact nearly never) written on the “faire-part” it's :

- if there's a “liste de mariage” ?

- where is this “liste de mariage” ?

To know if there's one, ask your friends or directly ask the bride or the groom.

What's a “liste de mariage”?

A “liste de mariage” is a list of presents chosen by the bride and the groom in one shop (sometimes two). It's usually a “service” (set of table linen).

So, when you know where is the “liste de mariage”, go to this shop and just say :

“Bonjour, je viens pour la liste de mariage de monsieur x et mademoiselle y”

Then the seller shows you what they have chosen. He / she should also show the prices (because it's often very expensive), if not ask :

“Je peux connaître les prix ?”

And choose !

How much do I need to spend ?

It depends on your “rank”. If it's one of your best friends or a close member of your family's wedding, then it will be expensive.

For a friend, 50 euros is a very good amount.

For a relative you can go down.

It also depends on your personal situation. If you're still a student, nobody wants you to take a mortgage to pay for a present.

Try to choose your present early, you'll have much more choice. Because, with this system, you can choose an amount of money and buy “something” with it. But if you wait too long, you might have the choice between something very expensive and something you don't like. And you might end up buying three forks with your 50 euros or just one third of a coffee-machine (I know, I did it!). Let me tell you, you feel very ridiculous at this moment !

You will also be asked to add “un petit mot pour les mariés”.

What can you write on this present ? Something like :

“Toutes mes félicitations”

“Tous mes voeux de bonheur”

Do I take the presents I've bought with me ?

No.

You pay, that's it. The shop will give all the “service” to the newly-breds at the same time just after their wedding.

If there's no “liste de mariage” ?

Buy whatever you want. If you have no ideas, ask the bride or the groom. Or ask some friends.


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