Not Attending Out-of-town Wedding...

Personally, I would give something...a card with best wishes, add cash, a gift card for the store where she's registered or have the store send a gift to the bride's home before the wedding.

If their bridal registry is online you can send a gift card online from that store. They will get an email and can print it out.
You are not obligated to send a gift, but a nice card and an e gift card is easy.

I think it's OK to go on the website where they're registered and pick out a $10 gift and have the website ship it for you. That should take about 10 minutes and you maintain the good graces of all the relationships.

I personally wouldn't bother and I love giving gifts so that's saying a lot.

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Okay, so if it's your MIL's best friends daughter does mean your husband knows her pretty well? I would go on that. Sometimes people send invites purely out of respect and not expecting attendance but if your husband grew up knowing this girl then I say send something out of respect to his mom and her best friend. Not sure how your relationship is but have you asked your MIL what she thinks?

Just because you receive a wedding invitation that does NOT obligate you to send a gift. If you don't attend the wedding do NOT send a gift. You don't know the couple and she probably invited you only as a courtesy to her MIL aka her MIL sent the invitation and her MIL is hoping you'll send a gift aka money. Don't do it. Even if you attended the wedding you wouldn't be obligated to bring a gift.

You are under no obligation to send a gift at all. Period.

Do you consider the bride a friend? If not, then I would not bother.

I wouldn't get a gift only because it sounds like they are fishing for gifts. Really, your MIL's best friend's daughter that you only see every few years?

Whenever I am invited to a wedding and do not attend, I send a gift. I will say I send a more expensive gift for a closer friend or family member.

Send a nice bottle of wine. You can get a decent bottle in the $30-$60 price range. That was one of my favorite wedding gifts.

Get on their registry and check out what less expensive items they have.

Or, if you are not on a budget - go crazy and have fun!

If we are invited we send a gift. Not sure why other than that was what I was raised to consider proper.

is the mil's best friend someone you see often and that came to your wedding / babyshower etc? if so you should send small gift something like the previous poster suggested maybe a gift card. but if it is just a random person that you hear about but don't really interact with at all I would say no skip it.

You're never obligated to give a gift - that would be a contradiction in terms. But you could certainly do it if you feel it would be appropriate and if you think it would really please your MIL. It would definitely be good to send a nice card or congratulatory note. You could enclose a gift card inside if you chose to. Even a small gift card for a place where they have registered can help the couple buy an item they find they still need after the wedding is over.

Unless it's a good friend, I don't send a gift.

I say send a card. If you can afford it maybe a small check or gift card. Is your m-i-l going? If she is send it with her. I dont think you have any obligation to purchase a gift.

Yes, you shoul dsend something small. A card and a gift card to the store where they are registered would be nice (and would save you on the shipping)!

I would get them a gift. Even if it is just out of obligation.

you know the girl even though you see her every few years. do you know exactly why you got an invitation? maybe she likes you but you don't run in the same circles and never will. buy her something inexpensive, you'll feel good because you are helping a couple and you won't ask yourself in the future if you should have gotten them somthing or not. buy them a gift card to a store-it doesn't have to be on their registry, for you won't have to pay for shipping. it's the thought that counts on the amount of the gift. W. d

When I was planning our wedding, my "in-laws to be" had their own guest list, and there were all kinds of people from out of state that they felt obliged to invite, knowing that they wouldn't be able to come. If "George and Martha Whoever" sent something, I usually felt mystified and somewhat guilty! I appreciated the cards, and was sure to share them with my in-laws, but I was never disappointed if they didn't send a gift. It's awkward writing a thank you note telling them you hope to meet them someday!

I got this idea from an older lady I know. When I don't know the couple very well but feel obligated I send a nice card with 2-3 booklets of stamps. I explain in the card that I understand how much correspondence happens during this time in life (thank you's and such) and just wanted to do something different to let them know that I wish them the best. That way I'm out no more than $10 and it's something they can really use. I've had a couple of people tell me they thought it was really thoughtful, since stamps is one of those "details" that can get forgotten. Hope this helps...

I think you are getting a lot of really great answers. When I had just graduated from college, I had very little money and was truly living 100% on my own (unlike some of my friends whose parents were still paying for items). I was invited to an out of state wedding and I absolutely could not afford to go. The invitation had an RSVP card in it - attending, yes, no, etc. I just checked the no box and sent the card back. I did not send a gift (which I also could not afford to do). And honestly, I still think it was all the right thing to do. But, I did hear rumors that the girl was bent out of shape that all I did was check the no box and send back the card - without any other explanation. But, honestly, she and I had driftged apart the last year of college and I felt no obligation to her. I say go with your heart. I think a $20.00 gift card or something like that would be fine (or something that is a small token of your thoughts).

Good luck!
L.

Send a nice card - whether or not you include a gift card is up to you. $25 is more than enough in this instance - you hardly know this couple! Personally unless your families are well-off I don't think a gift is required - but it's all about what's customary in yours and the couple's family circle.

I would give a gift personally, plus if they are registerd at BB&B they have an option where THEY will wrap it and send it straight to the couple!
However you are NOT obligated ... I enjoy getting the bride and groom a gift of their choosing either way.

A small acknowledgement gift with a note would be nice. Of course, nothing is ever REQUIRED, but it's a kindness to offer your best wishes and a little something if you can afford it.

It seems like a pathetic attempt at securing a gift from people they know won't be able to actually attend the wedding. People they are not even close with. I would send a card & be on my way.