In general, the answer is no. Even if you can't attend the wedding, if you've received an invitation, you should still send a gift, and usually, a note or phone call explaining why you can't make it.

However, there are a few exceptions to the rule. Engagement parties, for instance, do not traditionally call for gifts, but if the couple is very close to you, it's always fine to bring something small, for instance a bottle of wine or bouquet of flowers. When you receive a wedding announcement, but were not invited to the wedding, a gift is not required, nor does the couple expect one.

But if you receive a wedding invitation -- even if you are not that close with the couple or have no spoken to them recently -- a wedding present is generally considered a good idea. You don't have to spend a lot, a small gift card is fine if you are not attending the wedding. But in most cases, a small token is always a nice token of congratulations to the couple.

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