Guest at an Indian (Muslim) Wedding - Gift???...

[NiMSo]

I will be a guest at an upcoming Indian Wedding where the bride/groom are Muslims. I'm obviously from a different cultural/religious background, so am seeking advice as I know very little about their traditions.

I am attending a number of pre-ceremonies as well as the main ceremony (can't remember what it's called), where I assume it is appropriate to bring a gift. However, I'm not sure what would be considered proper and am seeking guidance. I've heard that money is always a good idea, and this may likely be the case - and if so, what range is appropriate and is there any special way it should be presented/wrapped? Alternatively, are there any other suitable gift options besides money, or would that be considered unusual?

[Dash]

[QUOTE=NiMSo;7069080]I will be a guest at an upcoming Indian Wedding where the bride/groom are Muslims. I'm obviously from a different cultural/religious background, so am seeking advice as I know very little about their traditions.

I am attending a number of pre-ceremonies as well as the main ceremony (can't remember what it's called), where I assume it is appropriate to bring a gift. However, I'm not sure what would be considered proper and am seeking guidance. I've heard that money is always a good idea, and this may likely be the case - and if so, what range is appropriate and is there any special way it should be presented/wrapped? Alternatively, are there any other suitable gift options besides money, or would that be considered unusual?[/QUOTE]

Cash money. Asians and South Asians don't give 2 sh*ts about a blender.

Have it in an envelope. As for the amount, that depends on how close you are with them.

[PrinceMS]

This is from a collague:

Money is always a good option. Minimum for a single person is $50, it increases in odd # so $70, $90 etc. Closer you are higher the amount.
You can put in an envelope / greeting card. When you get a chance to meet the bridge / groom on stage (after they have said "I DO") you shake / hug and present the enevelope. (Usually there is a seperate person helping in collection - at odd times, there is a box up front where you can throw your envelope in).

OR

If this is too much - buy a $20 toaster. Include receipt.

[originalnutta]

What every other indian person wants.

Ca$h Munny.

[champlinD]

[QUOTE=Dash;7069255]...
sh*ts about a blender.
...
[/QUOTE]
Blender as a gift? What a cheap SOB from 20th century.:lol:

[Rehan]

Check the invitation card... it may say something like "No Boxed Gifts, please", in which case they're expecting cash. But if there's no such note, they may be signed up in a gift registry somewhere. Ask someone who might know if they are.

[QUOTE=champlinD;7069376]Blender as a gift? What a cheap SOB from 20th century.:lol:[/QUOTE] Reminds me of many of the gifts I got for my wedding, back in the 20th century. (serving platters, toaster over, lamp, etc. :D )

[Dash]

[QUOTE=Rehan;7069398]Check the invitation card... it may say something like "No Boxed Gifts, please", in which case they're expecting cash. But if there's no such note, they may be signed up in a gift registry somewhere. Ask someone who might know if they are.

Reminds me of many of the gifts I got for my wedding, back in the 20th century. (serving platters, toaster over, lamp, etc. :D )[/QUOTE]

my wedding invitations going to say "No Boxed gifts, please. That means money!"

If someone gives me a serving platter for a wedding gift, they're getting a concussion in return.

[kama]

[QUOTE=Rehan;7069398]Check the invitation card... it may say something like "No Boxed Gifts, please", in which case they're expecting cash. [/QUOTE]

*gasp* I can't believe anyone would be that shameless to openly ask for money!! If I received an invitation with that note, I'd make it a point to buy them gardening gloves and a rake! :rolleyes: :D

[whampoa]

[QUOTE=kama;7069595]*gasp* I can't believe anyone would be that shameless to openly ask for money!! If I received an invitation with that note, I'd make it a point to buy them gardening gloves and a rake! :rolleyes: :D[/QUOTE]

In that case, you'll get a concussion in return.

[kama]

[QUOTE=Dash;7069555]my wedding invitations going to say "No Boxed gifts, please. That means money!"

If someone gives me a serving platter for a wedding gift, they're getting a concussion in return.[/QUOTE]

a) I'm sure your (future) wife would have more sense that to insert that in the invitation! :P

b) Très cliché, but a wedding should be about you sharing and celebrating with friends and family - NOT about the gifts. You should be grateful for any gift, and more importantly, for their presence!


And finally, to the OP, you cant go wrong with money. You should bring a gift to pay for your plate - typically with non-Indian weddings it's upwards of 100/150$. With Indian, anything above 50 pp is good. If they were Hindu, should be one loonie extra - i.e., 51$.

[Rocketo]

[QUOTE=PrinceMS;7069271]This is from a collague:

Money is always a good option. Minimum for a single person is $50, it increases in odd # so $70, $90 etc. Closer you are higher the amount.
You can put in an envelope / greeting card. When you get a chance to meet the bridge / groom on stage (after they have said "I DO") you shake / hug and present the enevelope. (Usually there is a seperate person helping in collection - at odd times, there is a box up front where you can throw your envelope in).

OR

If this is too much - buy a $20 toaster. Include receipt.[/QUOTE]

$50 bucks? wtf that is just being a cheap bastard..

[Rehan]

^ It depends on how elaborate the wedding is. Most of the Muslim weddings I've been to have been fairly simple...some probably spent less than $15 per guest (including food). But a few others spent far more than that.

[molala]

Money is always nice regardless or race...

how much? depends on how well you know them...

if you don't really know them that well...that i would give according to where the wedding venue is going to be...if that's the case..then you should post s thread to ask for review of that venue...

[Billa-786]

[QUOTE=kama;7069619]a) I'm sure your (future) wife would have more sense that to insert that in the invitation! :P

b) Très cliché, but a wedding should be about you sharing and celebrating with friends and family - NOT about the gifts. You should be grateful for any gift, and more importantly, for their presence!


And finally, to the OP, you cant go wrong with money. You should bring a gift to pay for your plate - typically with non-Indian weddings it's upwards of 100/150$. With Indian, anything above 50 pp is good. I[B]f they were Hindu, should be one loonie extra - i.e., 51$.[/B][/QUOTE]

That's not just a Hindu custom. South Asian Muslims do that too. It must be a desi thing.

[sunnybono]

[QUOTE=Rocketo;7069620]$50 bucks? wtf that is just being a cheap bastard..[/QUOTE]

It all depends on the venue that the bride & groom choose. If they come from a rich and wealthy family, then $50/person (or in the indian case $51) might be a bit low!!!

sk