Weddings are a day of giving. But what can you get the couple who has everything? Wedding gifts should be something to cherish – and fortunately help is at hand when it comes to choosing the perfect wedding gift for the newlyweds.
Words by Tallulah Rushaya. This article appeared in The London Magazine’s May edition.
The perfect wedding gift can really symbolise your connection to the day, whether you are the happy couple composing the gift registry, or a guest searching beyond the registry after leaving it to the last minute!
Creating a Wedding Gift List
“Having a wedding gift list makes wedding gifting and communication seamless for both you and your wedding guests. Having a registry list allows you to keep all your wedding gift admin in one place. Get gift advice from professional gift list experts, ‘Gift Gurus’, and arrange delivery at a time convenient to you.
“Your guests will thank you for having a gift list, so that they can rest in knowing that they will be giving you something that you love,” says Hayley Rorrison, marketing manager at The Wedding Shop (weddingshop.com).
Gift registries illustrate what a couple likes style wise, needs, and will cherish. They are also helpful in aiding guests who find every item has been reserved as well as voiding duplications.
“Think about the sentimental pieces that will last a lifetime and help you create memories. It is a fun part of wedding planning too as it is a wonderful, shared experience, selecting gifts that you love, and that help mark the start of married life together. Especially when you visit a showroom or have a virtual appointment,” adds Rorrison.
“I try to think of something lovely and luxurious that the couple might not buy themselves such as that stylish coffee table book. I also like to think of practical gifts too such as a statement vase or a sumptuous set of towels that are a no-fail option!” notes Sam Hood, founder at AMARA (amara.com).
Statement Gifts for the Newlyweds
2022 has seen bursts of colour and statement pieces dominating various retail pursuits from clothes to homeware with the glamorous 1970s influence being a recurring theme.
“Many couples already live together so have most of the basics; they tend to want more unique or unusual gifts that they wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves.
“Our clients certainly aren’t pattern or colour averse; we have seen a considerable uplift in purchases of the fun and quirky products that we offer at AMARA.com, such as the Jonathan Adler canisters and anything by Seletti.”
Through the eagerness to dress our tables not only for special occasions, the prominent tablescape trend emerged. Tablescaping enables the combination of colours, materials, and textures, mixing or matching with dinnerware and tableware, and is also proving a hit for gift registries.
“It’s all about the tablescape these days – our couples are mixing bright, playful pieces together with a variety of textures and patterns. Anything goes and everyone’s ideal tablescape looks a little different, which is why it’s such fun curating your own!
“During their appointments at our iconic Chelsea Showroom, we encourage couples to physically pull together all the elements of their tablescape (glassware, cutlery, table linen, candlesticks etc) and set it up to see how they work next to each other,” says Katie Stothard, showroom manager, The Wedding Present Company (weddingpresentco.com).
Philanthropic Gifts
Moving away from material items, philanthropic gifts are also at the top of couple’s wish lists, as the awareness of a variety of foundations supporting a range of important causes grows.
Encouraging donations from a couple’s favourite charity as a wedding favour adds a beautiful sentiment to the occasion. “Over the last few years, we have observed a shift in the thought processes around table gifts and favours,” says Andrew Wolmark, chief experience officer at Quintessentially (quintessentiallyweddings. com), the luxury concierge membership service.
“Where we used to see couples giving generous tokens to their guests, we’re now seeing elements of social good coming through the woodwork.
“For example, couples who have held their wedding in a particular destination may choose to contribute something to the local community on behalf of their guests – whether that’s a donation to a local charity, or larger projects like building a school in the area.
“Those with a more modest budget often place a pledge card on each of the tables, which asks guests to choose a charity for the couple to donate to on their behalf.”
This article appeared in The London Magazine’s May edition.
Read More:
- Heartfelt Maid Of Honour Gifts
- 8 of the Best Alternative Wedding Gift Ideas to Ask For
- 11 Great Gift Ideas for Your Bridesmaids
How to Choose Your Wedding Gift List
What to ask for
As with lots of things when it comes to wedding planning, do what feels right for you as a couple. If you already live together or perhaps already have a family, the traditional wedding gifts to kit out your first home together might well feel unnecessary.
Don’t rule the idea out completely, though. Your wedding gifts are your perfect chance to get the items you’d love to have but wouldn’t normally justify purchasing. Think statement serving ware, a special cheeseboard, the things that might otherwise feel frivolous but would become special pieces in your home and life together. Try Prezola and The Wedding Shop for these.
How to ask for it
To avoid any guests having to ask awkward questions, include all your gift list information (or a pointer to where they can find it) on your invitations.
This doesn’t have to sound presumptuous. Simply add in a note to let them know your gift list wishes or website with a thank you, not only for any contribution they might be able to make, but for celebrating your wedding day with you, too. For more guidance on what your invitations need to include, check out these seven invitation essentials.
On the day, even if your gift list is online, make sure you include a cards box. Many guests will still bring cards and some will prefer to give gifts in person. A card box will make them feel comfortable doing so.
What to give each other
Often forgotten when discussing wedding gifts, many couples also choose to give a gift to the person they will also be giving their hand in marriage to. Whether this is done in advance of the wedding date, for example gifting your fiancé their cufflinks or jewellery, or is a surprise on the wedding morning is entirely up to you. If it’s something to be worn on the big day, it can be useful to know it is coming, but you don’t have to give away all the details.
You needn’t limit yourselves to solely on-the-day gifts, though. While these can be treasured as heirlooms afterwards, you’re starting your married life together, so making your gift something for that shared future is an equally thoughtful option. We love these 10 ideas for your groom’s gift (and we’re pretty sure your new hubby will, too!).
