Wedding etiquette - presents

[Willow8383]

Hello, I'm not British and have only once been invited to a wedding in the UK so I'm unsure what is the etiquette: A friend (normal friend, not bestie), is getting married, low-key wedding. As far as I know, they are doing the ceremony without (many?/any?) guests. She emailed me to say that she would love for me to join their drink reception which is in a high-end pub. Do I bring a present? And does this present include cash? I'm of course more than happy to get them a present, I just don't want to look silly by being the only one who turns up with a present, or even worse gifting cash and looking really inappropriate. (In my home country, we usually would give a present & cash if invited to a wedding, but that's to chip in for the costs of dinner)...am I right in thinking that you wouldn't do this if it says 'drink reception'?

Most people (if they were hoping for gifts) would also send you a link to their gift registry. If you haven't been sent one then personally I'd turn up with a card and maybe a voucher for something like John Lewis.

Sounds very low key to me. I'd bring a present but not a big one, something like a bottle of champagne in a gift bag. Alternatively you could put some cash in a card; if i was doing that i think i'd include a note in the card that says something like "thought you could have a couple of cocktails on us when you're in XX honeymoon destination". Something that acknowledges their celebration but i don't think you need to get the sort of gift that you might if you were going to a full day 'big' wedding.

Thanks. Small present it is, I guess :)

I would ask if they have a wedding present list.

I'd bring a nice bottle.

If they haven't sent a link to a gift list, I would give cash. It's not inappropriate, most people prefer it to gifts they won't use.

If you're in Scotland it would be unusual to give present at the wedding, usually given before.

Card including a nice message, vouchers (maybe John Lewis or a restaurant for a date night), either given to them on the night, or better still posted to their home address with a thank you note straight after the event.