I am attending a wedding with a friend and have an etiquette question...?

[weezie1978]

I am going to a college friend's wedding as the guest of another college friend. I was not invited to the wedding, so my friend asked me to go as her "date". The question is...do I have to buy the bride and groom a present?
P.S. The bride knows I am coming. I was close with the bride in college and we just have not stayed in touch. It is a small wedding and she needed to keep the guest list small. My friend "Jen" told the bride she would bring me as her date, as neither of us have boyfriends right now....

[Mrs H]

The fact that you are going and that they will need to supply a seat and a meal for you would say that - out of curteousy - you should give them a gift. However - usually you would get a combined gift with your 'date'. No one ever HAS to buy a gift - but it certainly is nice to say thank you for the day and the meal.

[fizzygurrl1980]

Yes, technically, but since you are going as your friend's "date," the two of you should just chip in on one gift, as a real couple would. Since she's the one actually on the guest list, she's the only one under any obligation to send a wedding gift, but it would be nice for you to do too.

[reyrey]

Typically the couple would get a wedding gift together or the invitee is responsible for that but I have to admit also, if you weren't invited maybe there is a reason? Did your friend get an invitation that said "and guest" or has some type of indication its ok for her to bring someone? For my wedding I invited guests that were single and gave them the opportunity to invite and share that day with their significant other, a girlfriend or boyfriend but it certainly wasn't so they can just bring a buddy to party with. I think thats tacky.

[Shauna]

No but it would be manners to just give them a card with money or something in it

[Engaro]

No, you do not.