These days couples choose all sorts of different ways to celebrate their weddings other than the traditional church and white dress affair. Due to this and people's changing lifestyles, it can be hard to know if we are still meant to follow the rules of conventional wedding gift etiquette. And whether you're a guest of a family member, coworker, or even a bridesmaid or best man, it's just as tricky to navigate!
To get the perfect wedding gift we believe it's a combination of following etiquette whilst thinking about what the bride and groom actually want, and importantly, what you can afford. That's why we've put together this buying guide complete with ten classic and unusual ideas for the greatest gifts from Amazon, eBay, John Lewis and Argos.
Quick List - Top Wedding Gifts
John Lewis & Partners
For a Luxurious Nights Sleep
Bialetti
A Classic Italian Moka Pot Makes an Affordable Gift
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Picking a present for the happy couple needn't be hard, or overwhelmingly expensive. Follow our buying guide tips to get fixed up with the right gift in no time, leaving you free to enjoy the celebrations!
Thinking about what they are like and what they're into is the best place to start. These things are really important to consider to find them a gift to suit their lifestyle. Read on for some of the most popular present choices for newlyweds.
Kitchenware is a great idea for couples who love food, and with so many appliances and utensils needed for a home kitchen, there's always things to buy! If they have also just moved into a new home together, a toaster, knives set, or pans are great choices if they need them.
If the lovebirds are already settled and have all of the basics, a mortar and pestle, some luxury chopping boards or an appliance like a blender could impress.
For the true foodies who have all of the tools they need, you can't go wrong with food or drink – a big bottle of luxury olive oil or a case of wine could be just the thing!
Are the couple in question homeproud, stylish sorts of people? If so, home furnishings in line with their tastes may be the way to go. A cosy rug, throw or blanket in warm or neutral colours are all fabulous ideas.
If you have a slightly larger budget, luxury bed linen sets and silk pillowcases are romantic yet practical gifts. After the expense of a wedding, couples may not be splurging on a fancy bedding set – which is why it makes the perfect gift!
If the couple happen to be music lovers, what could be better than a high-quality stereo or speaker system? In fact, most of us do love music, and being able to listen at home on a good system makes it the ideal present if you have the budget for it.
Consider what they would enjoy using day to day. Maybe they're hankering for a classic portable radio doubling up as an alarm with Bluetooth access? Or if they're into tech, a voice-controlled smart speaker for their home? Both are excellent options for close family and friends, or for a shared gift to split the cost.
Traditional wedding gift etiquette says that the gift you give should cover the price of your place at the celebration. Although this is useful to keep in mind, it's more important to consider your personal budget and how close you are to the couple when buying a gift.
If the lovebirds are within your close circle you'll probably be looking to commit to a larger, more meaningful gift to buy yourself, or as a group. Around £50 is a good starting point but depending on budget, if they are close relatives you could be looking to spend anywhere from £100 to £500+.
In-laws, siblings or close friends may consider buying electronics like kitchen appliances or sound systems. However, they're on the more expensive end of the scale and would work for bigger budgets or to buy as a group.
If you aren't super close with the couple or your budget is lower, not to worry, it really is the thought that counts. For acquaintances you can make a lovely, simple gesture from just over £10 to £20, whereas for good friends you can find great items on a minimal budget from £20-£50.
It needn't be too expensive – choose well-designed home items such as kitchen utensils or champagne glasses. Good taste always trumps a huge budget!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Lewis & Partners The Ultimate Collection Silk Standard Pillowcase, Ivory | ![]() | For a Luxurious Nights Sleep | |
2 | Vitamix Ascent Series Blender|A3500i | ![]() | Simply the Best Blender on the Market | |
3 | Sonos Sonos One (Gen 2) Smart Speaker | ![]() | Top of the Range Smart Speaker for Music and Tech Lovers | |
4 | Bialetti Moka Express Aluminium Stovetop Coffee Maker | ![]() | A Classic Italian Moka Pot Makes an Affordable Gift | |
5 | Avoca Circus Wool Throw | ![]() | Gorgeously Soft and Stylish | |
6 | LSA International Polka Champagne Saucer, Set of 4 | ![]() | Raise a Glass in Elegance | |
7 | Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne In Ice Bucket | ![]() | It's Not a Celebration Without Champagne | |
8 | Roberts Revival RD70DE FM/DAB/DAB+ Digital Radio | ![]() | A Delightfully Retro Radio | |
9 | Alessi Todo Grater | ![]() | Sophisticated and Practical | |
10 | instax Mini 9 Camera with 10 Shots - Smoky White | ![]() | A Fun and Spontaneous Gift for Honeymooners |
Naturally breathable and hypoallergenic, silk bed linen is famous for its beauty benefits. Not only does silk maintain skin and hair's moisture levels overnight, minimising wrinkles and dry hair, but it gives any boudoir a luxurious touch.
Made with Mulberry silk and in delicate ivory, sleeping on The Ultimate Collection pillowcase feels blissful and soothing. There are several other gorgeous colours too. Chosen for our number one spot, we feel it's a must-have luxury that not many people will have already have bought for themselves... but do remember to buy two!
This is by far the most expensive option on our list, but we thought if we were going to include a blender it should be the best one available. A perfect present from in-laws, (or someone generous with a big budget!) we guarantee the Vitamix will be well received by couples who love food.
Not only does the A3500i have a 10 year guarantee but we love its subtle tamper feature which pushes mixtures towards the blades – which means there's no need to scrape the sides of the jug at the end. Minimal, stylish, and magical!
A truly useful and stylish gift, the Gen 2 Sonos One speaker has voice control with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Upgraded from the first model with increased memory and an updated processor, it creates a clear, rich sound.
The compact black design will fit into almost any space and the room-filling sound is similar to that from a larger speaker model. It can also access all of the most popular music subscription services. A great idea for family or good friends, both younger or older, who love their music but haven't splashed out on a speaker together yet.
To cafetière veterans, the stovetop, otherwise known as the Moka pot, can look like a slightly complex contraption. In fact, it's very simple to use and can make up to three cups of coffee each time, just right for a couple setting up a new home.
An affordable yet romantic gift, it conjures up images of a sunlit breakfast tray for those lazy mornings in bed. Evolved from the original design created in 1933, Bialetti are true coffee experts and this stovetop will look chic on their kitchen top, too.
Throws can be a commonly chosen gift for newly-married couples, but they needn't be boring – if you do it right! The circus wool throw by Avoca is just about as good as it gets in the world of snuggling on the sofa.
Avoca have been manufacturing since 1723 and some products are still hand-woven at the original mill in Avoca, County Wicklow. Made from 100% lambswool, the multi-check in warm shades is made especially to suit all kinds of sofa fabrics, bedspreads and chairs, and will surely be loved by everyone!
Continuing on from our champagne offering at number seven we have some exquisite champagne saucers from LSA International. Made from high-quality hardwearing glass in iridescent mother of pearl, their shape is both beautifully classic and modern.
If you don't know the newlyweds too well, you can choose them alone so the happy couple will have the best glasses to pour their gifted champagne into. Or, if you have a bigger budget you could buy them together for a very lavish and envy-inducing gift!
There are lots of unusual and unique wedding gifts out there but sometimes the old classics are the best! The delicacy of its citrus and white peach notes make champagne the perfect celebration aperitif, and Laurent-Perrier are an ideal choice as they've been making champagne for 200 years.
One of many fabulous things about choosing champagne as a gift is that it doesn't go out of style and even if more than one bottle is received, you can never really get enough of the stuff! We assure you that yours will have the edge though, as this bottle comes with a beautiful silver Laurent-Perrier Champagne bucket. Salut!
In at number eight is Roberts' classic retro icon, but with a contemporary edge. Featuring Bluetooth connectivity, crystal clear FM/DAB/DAB+ digital radio and a reliable alarm system, it's simply timeless, so it'd be a great pick no matter the age of the couple.
We love its fifties styling with faux leather upholstery in sumptuous duck egg, and the hand-crafted wooden body is acoustically tuned to enhance the sound quality. A perfect gift for music-loving couples who are keen to tune into a simpler, more relaxed lifestyle.
This fabulous cheese grater is definitely one to create a talking point in the kitchen or at the dining table! Designed by Richard Sapper for Alessi, it's a very elegant piece of kit with its wooden handle and elongated conical grating board.
Not only made to look good, the oversized design also allows you to serve a single portion of cheese with one stroke. However, its proportions mean it probably won't fit too well in a drawer, so will only really work for newly-weds with lots of counter space, and a real passion for cooking.
Here we have a very cute instant camera, which makes a cool and unique wedding gift. With a carry strap, built-in flash and close up lens attachment for shooting further away, it's both fun and convenient.
Honeymooning couples will love its rounded and compact design and selfie mirror placed close to the lens. However, don't expect quite as much as the classic Polaroid – the films are tiny and create credit card size photos that need to be taken in good light to come out well, so it may not be ideal for a winter wedding!
Wondering when to send a gift, or what to do if the couple have requested no gifts at all? Here are a few gift-giving tips!
Whether you are looking to kit out a new place or breathe life into a familiar home, check out our related articles for some essential items. Home is where the heart is (and the coffee-maker of course)!
We hope this article has given you some inspiration for the happy couple in your life on their big day. All of our picks are well-curated, popular gifts sure to put a smile on their face, so all there's left to do is raise a glass to good health!
Author: Melanie McPhail
No. 1: John Lewis & Partners |The Ultimate Collection Silk Standard Pillowcase, Ivory
No. 2: Vitamix|Ascent Series Blender|A3500i
No. 3: Sonos|Sonos One (Gen 2) Smart Speaker
No. 4: Bialetti |Moka Express Aluminium Stovetop Coffee Maker
No. 5: Avoca|Circus Wool Throw
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