How to Write a Check for a Wedding Gift
Among the many joys of celebrating a happy couple’s wedding, there are countless missteps just waiting to get you. One is to write a check that is almost useless for newlyweds who would really like to add a couple of excursions to their honeymoon plans. While it may seem special to write a check to both parties with an “and” in between, you might actually make it harder for them to bring in this lavish gift.
Reddit user jabronie69 provided this tip:
When giving a check to newlyweds, use “or” instead of “and” between their names. They may not have a shared bank account yet, or they may not have a complete name change, so this will save them a bank headache and you might have to rewrite it.
In fact, this method of writing checks will save you not one but two failures.
First, it prevents the couple from having to rush to open a bank account in both their names if they haven’t already. While bank account sharing may be the norm, it is not a requirement for marriage! Use “or” and they can put the cash wherever they want.
In addition, there is the “suppose one party changes their name” trap that makes it difficult for those who either do not do so or pause four minutes after the ceremony to queue up for a new photo ID. Name change takes time! They relieve headaches! Indeed, you simply shouldn’t make any assumptions about whether someone is taking someone else’s name. This is 2019.
Use the same names as in the wedding invitation and you will make it easier for the newlyweds to receive the present.