Do we *have* to buy our parents gifts?

I think it depends on your parents. My parents are paying for the majority of our wedding but they would HATE it if I bought them anything. That is just how they are. However, I would feel bad not getting them anything so I plan on doing something to show my appreciation without spending much money. We plan on having both sets of parents over for a home cooked dinner where they are waited on by us and then during the rehearsal dinner we will write thank you for raining us/we are excited to join the family to both sets of parents with either a simple frame and the promise of a wedding picture or a photo book to follow the wedding.

Our parents are not contributing, but for gifts, we decided on parent albums. Looking at the thread, this seems to be a popular choice. If you give your parents joint gifts instead of individual ones, that should help keep the cost manageable.

I think a letter would mean more.

It's certainly not a requirement, but if they're helping contribute, a gift is a nice way of saying thank you.

It doesn't need to be $100 a person - we gave one gift to each set of parents. We put photos of our parents on their wedding day (realizing that may not work for you as you mentioned divorces) alongside a photo of us on our wedding day in a frame, and that was their gift. We also wrote each set of parents a letter thanking them for their help with the wedding and how much we loved them. It was DIY, the total cost for both gifts was $40.

First of all , giving a gift should NEVER be REQUIRED! Whether it's your parents or you BMs !!

Now, if your parents are helping financially with the wedding then yes you SHOULD get them something. Does it have to be sending them to a getaway ?? Um no , only if you can afford it. There's nothing wrong with making gifts as well . I'm just so sick of all the brides that think the higher you spend on someone the more meaningful it is. Ugh that's just so far off !

Give them something you can afford without having to starve yourself.

Gift giving is never required. Just like they weren't required to pay for her wedding, or required to stand next to her on the day of... they do it because they want to do it because those individuals decided that the bride was worth the financial sacrifice to do those things. Obviously the feelings aren't reciprocated, which is fine, so I think brides saying to do this were trying to show how selfish not giving a gift is.

You know them better than anyone so I bet you could pinterest some ideas and get them a cute cheap gift. I agree that a letter is a good idea.

Thanks everyone for your feedback! FH and I found gorgeous mother of pearl picture frames and we're going to give each couple a framed wedding photo + a long letter thanking them.

My brother didn't give the parents anything, so in my opinion not giving a gift isn't a big deal. I am, however, giving my parents and FH's parents gifts. I literally just ordered personalized frames from Etsy that were not even $40 each, but they are so beautiful! I might also get both sets of parents a bottle of their favorite wine, but that's about it.

My parents are paying for our reception, so they will definitely get a gift. I planned to do a really nice photo album for them and one framed photo (probably a family shot since we have so few of them), along with a note of gratitude. I definitely don't have $800 to spend and it is the thought that counts. FH's parents are not contributing, but we will probably do a (smaller) photo album for them, too.

I also wanted to add, the amount of the gift is not as important as the meaning behind it. I think that your budget is fine and what you are planning is perfect. We have wanted to send the families somewhere and our budget allowed for it.

Do what seems right for you guys and i know both parents will appreciate it

I did not spend much. For the moms, I got engraved frames with engagement photos, and for the dads pocket watches. We may also get them gift certificates to a nice restaurant as well.

My groom and I are paying for our wedding. I think it’s the thought that counts than the. Amount you spend.

My parents are not paying for my wedding, my future husband and I are. Do we really have to get the parents a gift?

Thanks this helps me as well

I have usually not gifted my parents anything (yes, I love them and see them very often, they paid for dj, photographer and part of the rehearsal dinner.) But we were definitely not getting them gifts, they each invited 15 friends on our dime. That's 30 people we are paying to host. I did not even figure this in my budget. Not even one bit. I do things for my family and in laws all the time, we are involved in their lives frequently. We are gifting bridesmaids and groomsmen, and our officiant, because he is a great friend and mentor of ours, but not others. Gifts add up very quickly and unless its something super heartfelt, most of the time people don't really care they do like being gifted but I don't feel a wedding is the place to do that. We gift them for Christmas, and birthdays often. I wouldn't splurge on this because my relationship with my parents isn't like that.

I’m in the same situation I’m thinking of taking my sister in laws idea and doing a small photo book or a bigger version of my snowglobe party favors. They don’t have to be more expensive they just have to be more meaningful than the rest of your guests party favors maybe don’t do the party favors and just do gifts for your family. Theres lots of cheap ideas online. Tho. Another idea is you could take something from your wedding decor and preserve it for them. They have tons of different preservation boxes online and you don’t have to give them at wedding send it to them later.