Who does the bride/groom give gifts to?

[Writergirl]

I'm having a v. small civil wedding, organised on a budget within a few weeks. I'm having a big proper do next year.

Question - who am i traditionally supposed to give gifts to?

I'm having a witness, and I've bought her a lovely gift (but I didn't purchase her dress, for example). Was I supposed to??

I'm having no bridesmaids, but I have bought my daughter who's 10 a small prezzie.

We also bought my MIL a gift as she has been amazingly supportive over the years and has lent us money etc.

However, I'm not buying my mother for example a gift, for many reasons. Is it traditional for the bride to do this?

What is the deal with presents and why are they given?

I don't want to offend anyone, but budget has kind of run out!

[superbagpuss]

traditionly groom gives gifts to bridesmaids, both mums, best man, usher , flower girl and page boy
father of bride and father if groom normally get something as well, we did cufflinks to wear on the day

I think that's it

sounds like you have got it covered

[cookielove]

I gave my bridesmaid' s necklaces, that I got for free when I bought my rings

We gave nothing to the grooms men.

We paid for the bridesmaid dresses, flowers and hair pieces. Hired all the suits. And bought the flower girls dresses, shoes, cardigans (which I found at home after the wedding) hairbands and flowers.

We bought my parents a copy of the wedding album.

Dh's parents are divorced, neither couple helped with the wedding (which was fine) but we didn't get them anything.

[Writergirl]

Ok - I'm not having flower girls or bridesmaids, but I'm paying for her hair on the day, plus all her travel to the wedding and back.

My DP isn't getting his best man anything, as its not the big day.

We're not really even having a photographer!

I suppose I felt 'bad' about not getting my parents anything. They are helping us out with the kids for a night when we're on HM, but we're covering all their costs to come over (travel abroad).