Gift Registry for American open house after Japanese wedding?
In March, our son was married in Japan with a formal wedding ceremony and reception attended by his bride’s family and friends. Only 4 close family members and 2 of our son’s friends traveled from the US to Japan for the wedding. Knowing that no one else could attend, we did not send invitations to anyone in the US at that time.
Our son grew up in our local church, but he has been away for the past few years. Several friends from church have expressed an interest in seeing our son again and meeting his new wife.
We plan to host an open house buffet at our home. We will provide light brunch-type foods and possibly a cake.
We posted an open invitation in the church newsletter. We did not refer to the open house buffet as a wedding reception – just a chance to come by to meet/greet the young couple.
We are not considering this a gift-giving event, but some people have been asking about a gift registry. They have not registered anywhere as they cannot easily ship gifts home to their tiny apartment in Japan. They did not register in Japan either since the custom there is to give money rather than objects.
What is the best way to respond to these inquiries? I don’t want anyone to feel obliged to bring anything, but I also don’t want to seem refusing.
Thank you.
(This post was
edited by TWQadmin on Jul 31, 2009, 10:32 AM)
Etiquette Now
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Re: Gift Registry for American open house after Japanese wedding?
[In reply to]
Dear Dibgar,
This isn't a gift giving event, but some may want to give. Your son and his wife could register. But, this information isn't announced or listed on an invitation. If people ask, you could inform them of the registry. It would be best, though, just to state that the couple doesn't need gifts due to the size of their apartment and the necessity of shipping the gifts home.
Gift Registry for American open house after Japanese wedding?
