Do I have to buy a wedding present when I can't attend the wedding?

[Stagiaire]

Does anyone know what the correct etiquette is when you've been invited to a wedding and you can't attend but you're not sure whether you should still buy a gift?

No, you don't have to for friends, but you can if you like. Otherwise, send a nice card. If it were your sibling or maybe even cousin, depending on your family, then yes, send a gift.

You are not expected to buy a gift if your not attending the wedding but I don't know anyone who hasn't.

imo, yes I would buy a gift. There have been times that we couldn't attend a wedding we were invited to yet we still got a gift.

Maybe just a token gift iykiwm.

Are you close to the couple, or just the sort of 'obligitary' guests, ifywim? If cllse, shove a debenhams vchr or something in a card, if note close just send card!