Someone you love is getting married, and you’ve just received the invitation! Your mind starts thinking of what to wear, whether you’ll have to get a sitter or not, and what gift you’ll be giving for the soon-to-be newlyweds. We can’t help you on the first two points, but we are here to help you traverse the trouble of picking a fantastic gift and the protocol of giving a wedding gift.
5 Gift Ideas That Will Make You Say I Do!
Looking for something unique to bless the couple’s new marriage? Here are our top five picks for something they may not have thought to include in their registry. Customization is something that will distinguish your gift from everybody else’s!
Cheers to Marital Bliss
Giving the couple something they’ll use instead of something they’ll stick in a cabinet is important. Customized wine glasses will be something they can keep for years to come and use to celebrate their anniversary. Take it further and include their favorite bottle of wine or bubbly.
A Brush for the Future
For some young couples, cultivating an art collection starts right after they move into their new home. Help them start their collection by giving them a romantic piece of art. It could be something that symbolizes their new marriage or a photo of where they’re taking their honeymoon. Think about the couple and what’s important to them!
Not for Muddy Boots
If the newlyweds will be moving into a new home after their honeymoon, then surprise them with a doormat personalized with their new family name. The mat can be put there while they’re away, so once home they can begin married life by walking across it!
Fluffy & Adorable
Many newlyweds may have been living together for a while and don’t need the normal kitchen appliances. Step away from the normal gifts and give the newlyweds something they can use in their home. A custom pillow with their new family name on it will make their house feel like a home! Go the extra mile and gift them two pillows and a blanket for future date nights at home.
A Moment in Time
Make your gift stand out by getting them something truly unique: matching watches to commemorate the moment they became a married couple. You can include their names and the date of their wedding.
5 Etiquette Tips to Be the Favorite Guest
When it comes to weddings, some traditions and rules are expected of guests and hosts alike. It can be hard to know what’s correct for a guest to give the happy couple, but here are a few etiquette tips to guide you through this process.
Is Cash an Acceptable Gift?
Cash or gift cards are a great option for newlyweds that may be moving or planning an extended honeymoon. If the couple is living together before the wedding, or if this is a second wedding, then they may already have many of the traditional wedding gifts. We do recommend getting a lovely wedding card to put the cash or gift card in.
How Much Should I Spend On a Gift?
It comes down to how well you know the happy couple. If you’re a co-worker or distant relative, around $100 would be appropriate. If you’re a close friend or relative, we’d say between $150-$200. If you’re on a budget, you can always go for a more sentimental gift that may be more cost-effective.
I Don’t Know What They Want, What Do I Do?
If you’re unsure what the couple would like, the first stop would be to consult their wedding website. If they don’t have a wedding website, then it’d be best to reach out to whomever they have listed as the RSVP contact on the invitations.
Do I Bring the Gift to the Wedding?
We recommend not to bring it on the wedding day unless it’s a small card that can be slipped into a box or bag. Many couples will have a registry set up beforehand with a shipping address for gifts to go to, or they may have a location specified on the wedding website. If you do go off the registry and bring a gift, wrap it in beautiful wrapping paper to keep with the wedding vibe. Then drop it off at one of their houses before the wedding.
Are Group Gifts Appropriate?
It can be hard sometimes when all that’s left on the gift registry is outside your budget, or you want to spoil the couple with a big ticket item from their list. You can get some friends or family to go in with you on the gift. If you’re in the wedding party, move out of the group chat and think about working together on a gift for the couple. Going in on a bigger gift with the rest of the bridal party means you can give the couple what they want, allowing everyone to pay less individually.
That brings us to the end of our tips. We hope you found them helpful and are feeling more confident about your gift-giving abilities for your upcoming wedding. Check out our articles to help you be fully prepared for the wedding: “Become the Favorite Guest By Following These Wedding Etiquette Rules” or “What Not to Wear to a Wedding.” Before you know it, you’ll be receiving a loving thank you note from the newly married couple. If you have your own tips or gift ideas, we’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Lucy is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork, Ireland. Originally from America, she is now settled in Ireland with her husband and Corgi-mix puppy Dug (yes, like from Disney’s UP!). It’s the simple things in life that matter, so give her a bag of M&M’s and she’s happy. She loves to relax with a good book, cozy up on the couch for a movie, or go to the park for a stroll with the family.
