HOW MANY wedding gifts is normal to give??

She should expect you to be happy for her and thankful you are sharing the celebration of her wedding vows. Any gifts you decide to bring would be a bonus.

I usually limit to a wedding gift, and then a bridal shower gift (if invited). I don't typically do bachelorette party gifts, unless there wasn't a bridal shower.

I did have someone invite me to 3 different events before her wedding- she had a Pampered Chef bridal shower party, a regular bridal shower, and a bachelorette party, and then of course the wedding. In these cases, I usually only attend one event prior to the wedding, unless of course you're in the wedding party. I just told her I could attend (insert whichever event) but had plans on the other occasions. Otherwise, enough is enough.

i would bring a gag gift to the shower (nothing too pricey) and money to the wedding.. bc money is all newlyweds want anyway.

From what I understand, it's a gift on the wedding day (something for both groom and bride), maybe a small gift with the bridal party, and no gifts with the bachelorette party. HOWEVER, the bride is not expected to give any money for the bachelorette party. That cost is to be shared with the Maid of Honor and brides maids.

I have always heard that it is tacky to ask for cash as a gift, but a lot of couples are going that route nowadays. Personally, I think that if I get to have a wedding, I'm going to ask for cash for the honeymoon, or use one of those website that people can send money to help towards the honeymoon. Just makes more sense to me than everyone getting toasters.

My sister and I are having a little debate. She's getting married in October & she's having a bachelorette party, a bridal shower, and of course, the wedding. So our question/topic of debate is should she expect a gift from each person per each party they are invited to AND cash on the wedding day?
What is the "norm"? Were relatively new to this, so does one expect a gift plus cash?? (she wants me to reiterate that its not about the gifts, were just curious...)

You do not "expect" gifts. If she does, she will probably be dissapointed. No one is entitled to a gift even on their wedding day.

You can expect loved ones to show up and to have a wonderful time.

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I expected either money OR a gift, in some cases we got both. Our wedding was interesting because my family is very blue collar and poor while his family is very high class and well off. I love and use all my wedding gifts all the time. Most people who couldn't give money were able to afford at least one or two gifts of my registry. It's important to include various priced things for those of the guests on a budget.

I got no gifts from my bridal party except for really good food and a fun time with my friends and family. I was only 18 so not bachelorette party for me, not a big deal to me.

The most important gift for the new couple is the wish for life long happiness together. Everyone attending the wedding should offer at least that much!!

If you are hosting the Bridal Shower, then no, no give is required. Bachelorette Party no gift is required. I thought that the Bachelorette Party is a time to have fun with your close friends. If you are giving a gift at the Bridal Shower the price of the gift is sometimes determined by the theme of that party ie: lingerie, alphabet (where each guest brings something that starts with a letter in the brides name), stock the pantry party or wine tasting.

I do a bridal shower gift (naughty clothing), a drink or two at the bachelorette party (no one ever gives gifts) and gift at the wedding (a household item usually). As far as what the bride should ask for she should only do a wedding registry. The bachelorette party shouldn't cost her because her friends throw that and the bridal shower should be thrown by the mothers or close friends.

I agree with you for most of this, except the shower. It should NOT be thrown by the mother(s), that is like asking people to bring your child gifts - that is considered tacky (well… according to Emily Post). Friend or Aunt is considered more appropriate.

Also, for the registry, don't put the registry cards in the invitations to the wedding, that is also like asking for gifts.

But hey, this was just my approach to my wedding, different strokes for different folks!

I would get a small gag gift for the bachelorette (like, under $20), if you are hosting the bridal shower, don't buy her anything, if not, I'd offer to make a dish or two if applicable for the shower or I'd buy a housewarming-style gift (I'd limit it to $40) if bringing a dish or bottle of wine doesn't fit the setting. Of course, for the big day, I'd buy a registry gift at whatever price I could afford.

First of all, your sister doesn't sound like a bridezilla. Yes, technically she should not expect anything but realistically she's going to get gifts when she has a wedding, it's just the way it works in Western society so trying to shame her for wondering how much stuff she will receive (and need space for) in a conversation with her sister is ridiculous. I've seen a couple returning tons of gifts at a nearby store and when asked the reason for their return they said, "We live in an apartment and just don't have the space for all of these gifts."

I typically do a gift for the shower, if invited, and a gift or money sent to their home before the wedding. Technically you're not supposed to bring a gift to the actual wedding, but send it ahead of or after the day. That way there's no chance of gifts or cash going missing the day of and the couple doesn't have to figure out how to get everything home after a very long day. This is also nice for guests who have to travel to get to the wedding. Another rule is that anyone invited to the shower should be invited to the wedding. There are exceptions, for example if her office throws her a little surprise work shower.

While you're not supposed to ask for cash, many couples who would prefer it simply don't register. That way it's implied. It tends to be regional and cultural, who gives cash for the wedding gift and who gives a registry gift. She should probably be prepared for a mixture of both. Sometimes people bring naughty or gag gifts to the bachelorette party, such as lingerie or bedroom toys, but most guests just buy the bride drinks. Again, everyone is going out so it's not very practical to bring a bunch of gifts and then make the bride keep track of them all night.