To Open or Not to Open...

Have you been wondering whether it was proper etiquette to open wedding gifts prior to the wedding?

I was listening to a radio station the other day and one of the DJ’s is getting married soon and he was asking this same question. His fiancé wanted to go ahead and open the gifts but he didn’t think it was right. He thinks you are suppose to wait until after the wedding.

Nope! It is very much proper etiquette to open gifts as you receive them prior to the wedding and write the thank you notes at the same time (preferably within two weeks of receiving the gift.) There was a time long, long ago when brides use to display their gifts as they received them prior to the wedding. As friends and family would come to visit, they would view the beautiful display of gifts. In fact, guests really aren’t suppose to bring gifts to the wedding at all. They should always be sent prior to the wedding, but we live in a very different and convenient world today so guests bring their gifts to the wedding instead of mailing them.

So by all means, open your gifts as you receive them and knock out as many thank you notes as possible, ‘cuz ya know after the wedding, it will take awhile to get back into the swing of things and start writing all those thank you’s. The sender will also appreciate hearing from you sooner than later knowing that you did receive their gift.

So, what are you waiting for? Start ripping that paper off!