iiiiiiit's another wedding thread! AIBU?

[MoominKoalaAndMiniMoom]

A family member's wedding is coming up. They've asked for money but we really can't afford to give any money at the moment. I know turning up without a gift isn't the done thing, but if everyone else is giving money, a nice photo frame (pretty much all we can stretch to at the moment) isn't going to be any good, is it?

What's the general rule for if you can't afford to give the B&G money?

Just to add to some of the fabulous ideas already mentioned; my husband & I went to a wedding of close friends many years ago. The wedding was quite a distance away in a remote area so involved 2 nights in a hotel. We had just graduated & moved house so money was tight. We took photos of the groom, bridesmaids & guests outside the church & as many of the service as we could. We got the photos developed in a local chemist during the drinks reception, put them in a cheap album & presented it to the b&g. They were delighted to have an instant set of photos before the official photos (of course this was all pre fb!).

Some great 'off list' wedding presents that we received were; champagne, wine, a recipe book, towels, vases & wine glasses. Whilst gifts are lovely to receive, we would have been mortified to think people either stressed or considered not coming. We would have loved some of the memories ideas people have mentioned.

I hope this thread gives you inspiration & you enjoy the day.

One of my more hard-up pals gave us a photo frame with a tenner in it, and a label saying 'In case of emergency break glass' It really made us laugh and has pride of place on the wall. Didn't even think about the fact that it probably only cost them £12 or so!

I have bought these baubles when strapped for cash.
A strange gift to give in Summer but something they'll remember every year.

One of my favourite wedding gifts was something the guest made with the date if our wedding on it. It looks very homemade, but the colours were our wedding colours on a neutral background and it means so much, ESPECIALLY now, long after the event, that this person took the time to do it. It meant a lot at the time too, but it's just grown even more on me. And I'm crafty too, so I know it didn't cost much over a tenner - but that's irrelevant.

It does depend on the couple though - if they are not the sort of people to appreciate something handmade, don't bother!

Copy of the Times (or other quality newspaper) from the day of the wedding, rolled up with a bow as mentioned above, is a genius idea.

What about something like this from you and your parents:

www.younameit.co.uk/acatalog/Solid-Maple-Photo-Frame-8-x6--56.html

I work in a chain of charity shops and we get LOADS of fancy glasses in - we sell 6 matching glasses for about £4 and most are unused. What I would say is give a card!! We just got married and the thing I was sad about wasn't guests who didn't get us a present (we asked for cash too) biy who brought no card - they're from as little as 29p in card factory but we are planning to use ours in conjunction with our guest book!