Virtual wedding / reception next year gift etiquette

I haven't run into this yet, but I think I would send them a nice card with maybe a small gift card and order from their registry to be sent to them regardless of whether or not I can attend the reception event next year.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/advice/sns-mistman-do-i-give-gift-at-virtual-wedding-20200506-4uhw5cgumrda5eczym56avfk6a-story.html

A: The cost of a wedding present — during a pandemic or otherwise — is determined by two primary factors: How close are you to the couple and how much can you realistically afford.

Bottom line, your gift should be no different if you were to attend in person or not.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! That’s what I was thinking. But then would you give another gift next year?

View Quoted Comment Thanks! But then would you give another gift next year when they have the reception?

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Sorry, I wasn't clear enough I would send a card and gift card now, then next year order from the registry. The gift could be shipped to the couple or you could take it with you if you're able to attend the event. I would treat the reception next year as the only reception and, in my head, a lot of people bring a card and a gift to a wedding, so card for the ceremony and gift for the reception

I think I would split the amount you were going to spend on the gift in two. If you were going to spend $50 on a gift, maybe send a card and a $25 gift card, and then a $25 gift next year. That way you are killing two birds with one stone, and looks really good to the couple.

View Quoted Comment Oh got it! That’s a good plan thanks

View Quoted Comment Thanks! Yeah that’s probably a good idea. I was thinking at first we’d just send a gift now and that would be that, but I’d still feel so awkward about showing up to an event gift-less next year lol (even if we sent one the year before)

I like pp idea on splitting the amount in half.

I would give the gift now because it is a wedding gift and now is when they are having the wedding. I would maybe just give a card for the reception or include a small gift like a $25 gift card or something if I really felt like I didn't want to go empty handed for the reception. I don't think there's really any etiquette on this since the pandemic isn't normal circumstances.

We did the same thing for our wedding! Had a small thing with a facebook live viewing so everyone could "be" with us. We will also be having a reception next year.

At our ceremony people who attended brought cards and gifts, but we have gotten a few gifts from those who were unable to attend too. For us personally this sparked so much joy! Some one who were unable physically attend would still send a gift?? It just made us feel so special!

Send them a gift around their wedding day and just be present with them at the reception (if you are able to attend). I would definitely not expect any of those who have already gifted us to gift us once more at the reception. To be honest we are not expecting anyone to give us anything at the reception.

This is all uncharted territory but as a COVID bride I can tell you now that even a simple card with well wishes means more than you would know!

There's really no established etiquette on this, but I'm pretty sure you're supposed to send a gift even if you can't attend the wedding, so there wouldn't be a difference in terms of what you spend on the gift. If it were me, I would probably send a gift now, and then bring a card to the wedding. They shouldn't expect two gifts just because it's technically two events.

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No, You can either give them one now or one next year