Some couples these days--especially those who'll have a destination wedding--take the practical route and prefer monetary gifts. They compose lovely poems to suggest that enveloped gifts are favored, spread the word to their families and friends, or include a footnote that says "No boxed-gifts, please" in the invitation. It is indeed a no-nonsense plan for everyone, as traveling to your destination is already a challenge in itself.
Still, being the Filipino that we are, most guests still feel compelled to present the couple with something tangible: a boxed wedding present on the day of the wedding. Check out the tips below and see what you can do before and after your destination wedding to manage bulky wedding gifts.
Before the wedding
Before your wedding, let your guests know of options on how they can send their gifts to you. Doing so would spare them from the hassle of transporting the gifts to the destination.
Sign up for a bridal registry in your locale.
One way to make transporting bulky souvenirs manageable is to sign up for a bridal registry in your city. This option not only gets you the items that you really need, but you can also have the gifts delivered to your place, since bridal registries usually include a delivery option to the bride's home address. By signing up for a registry, your guests won't go through the trouble of carrying boxed present to your destination wedding, and you won't have to worry about transporting them back to your home. Ideally, your family and close friends will spread the information about your bridal registry through word of mouth.
Ask guests to drop off gifts to your new home.
You can ask family and close friends to inform guests that they can drop off the boxed gifts directly to your city address. Just hint that you have your guests' utmost comfort in mind--after all, it is indeed a strenuous task for both parties to carry bulky presents to and from a faraway venue. As soon as the gifts start to arrive, remember to keep organize an inventory (a file that indicates the sender's name, address, and gift) so that you'll have an easier time sending out the thank-you notes.
After the wedding
Some guests might still bring their bulky gifts to the destination, so be prepared just in case you have to transport the gifts home.
Have a hired van or truck to bring the presents to your new home.
Don't expect that you can just put the presents at the back of the same car you will be driving home. For one, you can't really predict how many boxes you will receive, and they might not fit in your car. Secondly, you might not head straight home just yet--you'll be off on your honeymoon, and it would be a hassle to bring the presents with you if you're going to another destination. Also, journeying home with a bunch of boxes at the back makes for a disastrous trip as some of the rough roads you might encounter could topple some of those boxes--and your gifts might include fragile or breakable items. Ask experts to deal with such gifts, but before entrusting the gifts to your hired driver, prepare an inventory. When the gifts get delivered to your house, check each item on the list.
Send the gifts via courier.
If a land trip is not an option (for those weddings held in an island resort or beach), you can opt to have your gifts shipped home via a courier--doing so can be cheaper than paying for excess baggage at the airport. You can also check your destination wedding venue or hotel if they offer shipping options. If you'll be shipping your fragile gifts, make sure that enough padding and bubble wrap is used to keep the gifts safe.
Ask family and friends to carry gifts home.
If you're not comfortable with the idea of sending fragile gifts via courier, ask family and close friends if they'll be willing to hand carry some fragile gifts home. Doing this will not only save you money, but you'll also have that peace of mind knowing that your gifts are in good hands. Just make sure that the persons you're assigning can be trusted to be careful with your gifts, and that they live close to your home. Again, prepare an inventory so you know which gifts are assigned to whom.
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