The Best Wedding Gifts According To Wedding And Gifting Experts (2024)

Table of Contents
The Best Wedding Gifts The Cadillac Of Kitchen Appliances KitchenAid Artisan Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer 52 Ways To Spice Up Their Date Nights A Year of Dates – 52 Surprise Envelopes An Easy Way To Gift Travel That Doesn't Expire Airbnb Digital Gift Card A Beautiful And Unique Coffee Table Book Louis Vuitton: Virgil Abloh (Classic Balloon Cover) A Hand-Drawn Portrait For Couples Who Have Everything Custom Couple Portrait From Photo A Gift That Delivers Spa-Quality Comfort Parachute Waffle Robe A Colorful And Well-Crafted Take On Classic Stemware Estelle Colored Wine Mixed Stemware Set An Eco-Friendly Cleaning Kit That (Effectively) Does It All Blueland Clean Suite Kit A Home Appliance They'll Actually Use—With Barely Any Effort iRobot Roomba s9+ A High-Tech Way To Display Their Favorite Memories Aura Carver Digital Picture Frame Heirloom-Quality Cookware For Home Cooks Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven A Centerpiece That Will Elevate Their Home Bar Cart Food52 Vintage French Cut Glass Whiskey Decanter A Hand-Embroidered Set For Those Who Appreciate The Finer Things Francesca Miranda Beso Table Napkins A Tasting Flight For Wine Lovers, But Add Cookie Dough In Good Taste Deux + Mini Wine Gift Set Café-Quality Coffee That They Can Make Right At Home Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine by De'Longhi A Timeless Travel Piece For Jetsetters Essential Cabin Lightweight Carry-On Suitcase What Should I Look For In A Wedding Gift? Physical Gifts Experience Or Money Gifts How Much Should You Spend On Wedding Gifts? What Are Some Popular Retailers Couples Register With? More Wedding Stories To Shop References

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Are all those “Save the Date” cards in your mailbox making you stressed over finding the best wedding gifts for everyone’s upcoming nuptials? We feel you. There’s a lot to consider when searching for the right gift to celebrate the happy couple like how well you know them, their lifestyle, whether they prefer experiences over gifts and more. Then, of course, you have to factor in the cost.

Thankfully, the number one place wedding experts recommend starting your search is also the easiest: the couple’s registry. “Popular wedding registry platforms like Zola, The Knot and Amazon Wedding Registry ... can give you insight into trending and desired items,” suggests Amy Abbott, owner and creative director of Amy Abbott Events, a wedding planning company based in Los Cabos, Mexico. Registries should be your first resort when gifting not just because they’re practically foolproof, but also because couples usually put a lot of time and thought into figuring out what to include, explains Bianca Hall, a wedding planner with Chicago-based firm Estera Events. “Purchasing something for them off this list is truly always appreciated,” she adds.

But there will be times when you can’t rely only on a wedding registry. Either all the good items have already been taken, your budget doesn't match the options available or you’d rather gift the couple something that’s a bit more thoughtful and personal than what’s left over. (Or maybe the couple never registered at all!) In those cases, it’s important to start with what you know about the couple, according to Dawn Goldsmith, owner and creator of Brooklyn, New York-based wedding planning firm DM Events and Design. “Gift-giving is not one size fits all! The ‘special sauce’ to finding the perfect gift is the thoughtfulness that goes into it. I love when I find a gift and automatically think, ‘That's so them!’” she says.

Here’s where we can help. With guidance from wedding planners and gifting experts, we’ve analyzed the best wedding gifts in several categories so there’s a present for every type of couple—whether they enjoy experiences, traveling or relaxing at home—and every gift-giver’s budget.

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The Best Wedding Gifts

The Cadillac Of Kitchen Appliances

KitchenAid Artisan Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Home chefs may bicker over their favorite nonstick pans, the best way to prepare eggs and the merits of truffles, but there’s one thing they’re in near-universal agreement about: The KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is the stand mixer to have for its unmatched performance and durability. The 5-quart stand mixer allows you to swap between batches of ingredients (thanks to the included 3-quart and 5-quart bowls) and comes in several pretty shades. It also includes essential accessories like a dough hook, pastry beater and wire whip. But the KitchenAid is more than just a stand mixer—it’s a hub for endless culinary endeavors thanks to the variety of attachments. There’s a food processor, a pasta roller and a meat grinder for making your own burger blend (all sold separately), making the KitchenAid the ideal gift for the foodies in your life.

52 Ways To Spice Up Their Date Nights

MOST POPULAR

A Year of Dates – 52 Surprise Envelopes

In place of a physical item, couples getting married later in life (or perhaps have been living together long before tying the knot) might appreciate a gift that helps them find new ways to connect, says wedding planner Nicole-Natassha Goulding. The Toronto-based founder and lead creative of Chic by Nicole says, “We've seen a fair amount of companies now offering date calendars or surprise date cards where the couples try a new activity every month or weekend as suggested on thecalendar or by the cards.” That’s why she recommends this box of 52 “secret” dates from Uncommon Goods. Each date idea is sealed inside a color-coded envelope, with each color indicating where the date takes place (e.g., at home, a night out or a surprise). One fun twist to an at-home date: “Candlelit dinner. Flip a coin—tails, you’re the chef.”

An Easy Way To Gift Travel That Doesn't Expire

Airbnb Digital Gift Card

One of the “most wanted” gifts on The Knot’s 2023 Registry Awards is—yes—a gift card. But what makes this one from Airbnb worthy is the fact that it’s a simple and easily customizable way to gift an experience to couples who don’t want any physical gifts or who love traveling. And lest you think it’s too impersonal, Airbnb has you covered: You can choose from six e-card designs and four pre-set amounts (or the amount of your choosing), and you can craft a custom message and choose to send it either via email or text. Beyond that, the newlyweds will have plenty of destinations and a variety of lodging options to choose from—Airbnb has accommodations available in 50,000 cities and 191 countries.

A Beautiful And Unique Coffee Table Book

Louis Vuitton: Virgil Abloh (Classic Balloon Cover)

If your recipients are particularly inclined towards fashion or interior design, Goldsmith recommends this collectible coffee table book that boasts a beautiful silk hardcover of the iconic red balloon from Louis Vuitton’s spring-summer 2022 spinoff show. The newlyweds will also be able to flip through 300-plus beautiful images and reflections that celebrate the work of the late designer Virgil Abloh who was the first African-American to become the men’s artistic director for Vuitton. For couples who value statement-making pieces as part of their home decor, you can’t go wrong with this stunning art book.

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A Hand-Drawn Portrait For Couples Who Have Everything

Custom Couple Portrait From Photo

Both wedding planner Abbott and Julie Kenney of celebrity and VIP gifting brand The Gifting Experts recommend personalized gifts like a monogrammed charcuterie board or bespoke artwork like the hand-drawn portrait above that’s offered on Etsy. We like this option because you can send a photo or two of the couple for the artist to work from—and you can also request to add the couple’s pet(s) to the drawing for an additional fee. You can further customize the portrait with the couple’s names on the banner, their wedding date and what colors and flowers you wish to feature. Just note that the artist turns around a proof of the image in around seven working days.

A Gift That Delivers Spa-Quality Comfort

Parachute Waffle Robe

Sure, you can put cucumbers on your eyes and soak your feet while you listen to Enya, but it’s never really quite the same as a visit to an actual spa. And chances are your overstressed, soon-to-be-married friends are too busy with last-minute details to unwind with a massage. But you can gift them the next best thing: Spa-quality comfort with Parachute’s oh-so-soft and lightweight waffle robe. Made of 100% Turkish cotton that gets softer with each wash, this waffle-weave robe will give your lucky recipients that luxurious spa feeling—even if they’re sitting on the couch writing thank you notes.

And if you feel like spoiling the happy couple a little more, why not make it a spa bundle and add a luxurious sleep mask? “My favorite is theSlip Portofinomask—a lifesaver on an overnight flight too!” suggests Goldsmith.

A Colorful And Well-Crafted Take On Classic Stemware

Black-Owned

Estelle Colored Wine Mixed Stemware Set

Gifting the happy couple quality wine glasses to elevate their dining table will always be appreciated—but why not kick the fun and thoughtfulness up a notch? We suggest doing so with this colorful set of hand-blown all-purpose glasses by Estelle Colored Glass, a luxury glassware brand named after the founder’s grandmother who always used colored glass pieces to make her Sunday dinners extra special. With these beautiful pieces carefully handcrafted by Polish artisans, the newlyweds in your life will be able to make equally memorable dining experiences.

An Eco-Friendly Cleaning Kit That (Effectively) Does It All

Sustainable

Blueland Clean Suite Kit

For couples who practice a low- or zero-waste lifestyle, Abbott suggests gifting something that’s both sustainable and practical, such as reusable kitchen products or ethically made home goods. Or, you can go for a starter cleaning kit like this one from Blueland, a B Corp and Climate Neutral Certified home goods company that uses only eco-friendly, clean ingredients and packaging; it also practices efficient water and energy usage. We can see why this particular bundle is a bestseller: It contains every cleaning solution the couple needs to tackle dirty dishes, laundry, the bathroom and more—and each one has been independently tested alongside other major brands.

A Home Appliance They'll Actually Use—With Barely Any Effort

Functional home appliances like smart thermostats or robot vacuums also make great practical gifts, says Abbott. We recommend iRobot’s Roomba s9+, which we crowned the best robot vacuum overall after extensive testing. We found it the most effective in terms of its suction power, the square footage covered, the ability to adequately clean every corner and its advanced mapping system. Add the fact that the Roomba can empty its own bin for up to 60 days, and your recipients won’t have to lift a finger.

A High-Tech Way To Display Their Favorite Memories

Aura Carver Digital Picture Frame

An elegant picture frame is a go-to wedding present for a reason: It’s one of the best and simplest ways to display precious memories from the ceremony. If your recipients are tech-savvy or appreciate unique twists to traditional gifts, we highly recommend Aura’s Wi-Fi-connected Carver photo frame. Not only is its minimally classic frame available in two colors, but the couple and their loved ones can also add as many special photos and videos as they wish from anywhere in the world using Aura’s free app.

Heirloom-Quality Cookware For Home Cooks

Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven

There are Dutch ovens and then there's the highly coveted Le Creuset Dutch oven that will become a staple in any home chef's kitchen. What makes Le Creuset so in-demand? You get the superior heat conduction of cast iron plus the easy clean up of Le Creuset’s enameled finish. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s easy on the eyes, coming in a variety of attractive hues that make this Dutch oven a delight when served on the table.

A Centerpiece That Will Elevate Their Home Bar Cart

Food52 Vintage French Cut Glass Whiskey Decanter

Do the newlyweds love to entertain or play mixologists? Gorgeous but practical drinkware is a safe bet. “I love the curated collection on Food52, and some of my best gifts have come from there,” Goldsmith raves. One of her gift suggestions, this stunning whiskey decanter made of French-cut glass, is perfect for couples who like serving up their finest liquor or showing off their home bar when they’re entertaining.

A Hand-Embroidered Set For Those Who Appreciate The Finer Things

BIPOC-Owned

Francesca Miranda Beso Table Napkins

Sure, you can gift them a personalized charcuterie board (highly recommend by Kenney) or customized drink coasters—or you can go for these unique made-to-order Francesca Miranda Beso napkins, which Goldsmith recommends for couples who value fine tabletop linens. Colombia fashion designer Miranda uses the diversity of influences in her locale (Barranquilla, Colombia) to inspire her designs, which are then hand-embroidered onto household items and clothing, transforming them into gifts that are both functional and one-of-a-kind.

A Tasting Flight For Wine Lovers, But Add Cookie Dough

In Good Taste Deux + Mini Wine Gift Set

Several of our experts recommend gifting wine tastings for the couples who fancy themselves budding sommeliers. But if gifting a wine tasting experience they can enjoy their honeymoon destination isn’t a viable option, you might also opt for the next best thing (or at least we think so)—a wine gift set. Not only is this an interactive gift the vino-loving newlyweds can enjoy together, but they can also choose the setting in which they want to experience it, whether that’s a date night in or as a backdrop to a binge of their favorite reality show. The set comes with six mini wine bottles that are meant to be paired with the accompanying three flavors of Deux cookie dough.

Café-Quality Coffee That They Can Make Right At Home

Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine by De'Longhi

If the couple likes coffee, chances are they’ve heard of a Nespresso. This machine blows all other pod-based coffee systems out of the water, thanks to a one-touch operation and barcode technology. With a push of a button, the newlyweds can have café-quality espressos, cappuccinos and good old-fashioned coffee made right in their own kitchen.

This bundle from Amazon also includes the Aeroccino, Nespresso’s proprietary milk frother that can whip up the perfect topping for lattes and cappuccinos. And if you’re gifting as a group, you can add variety packs of coffee pod—like this onewith medium and dark roast espresso—to round out the gift.

A Timeless Travel Piece For Jetsetters

Essential Cabin Lightweight Carry-On Suitcase

For the couple who loves to jetset, “you can never go wrong with a timeless travel must-have like a Rimowa carry-on,” Goldsmith suggests. This polycarbonate hardshell option, available in both glossy and matte colors, is perfect for two- to three-day trips and fits in most overhead bins. In addition to its sleek design, durability and high-tech features (like TSA-approved locks and a telescoping handle), the Essential is also covered by Rimowa’s lifetime guarantee—making it truly timeless for frequent travelers.

What Should I Look For In A Wedding Gift?

As we mentioned earlier, the resounding advice from almost all the wedding and gift experts we spoke with are to check the couple’s registry. But if you’re looking for a wedding present off-registry or the couple didn’t sign up for one, there are plenty of other thoughtful or out-of-the-box options, from experience gifts to contributions to their honeymoon fund.

It’s always start with what you know about the couple. “Some might prefer experiences over physical items, while others might have specific interests or needs that could guide the selection process,” Abbott explains.

Physical Gifts

If you choose a physical gift, start with the question of whether it’s something the couple will actually use or like, advises Smith. “You can ask the couple or those close to the couple in advance if a gift you are considering is something they would like,” she says. If you’re thinking of gifting a kitchen or home appliance, you should also keep in mind whether the couple has already been living together or is long established in a home before the ceremony, Smith adds.

According to Abbott, you also can’t go wrong with a present that’s either practical, timeless (something the couple will use for years to come) or unique. “Kitchen gadgets, such as high-quality cookware sets from brands like All-Clad or Le Creuset, are often popular choices. Functional home appliances like smart thermostats or robot vacuum cleaners could also be [considered],” she says.

Experience Or Money Gifts

Just like with physical gifts, Abbott advises starting your search with what you know about the couple’s preferences and lifestyle. “[They] might have specific interests or needs that could guide the selection process,” she says, adding that activities like cooking classes and wine tastings are gaining popularity.

Goulding agrees. “We always suggest tuning in to what the couple loves and finding a gift where they can experience something new together,” she says. This is especially true for couples who are tying the knot later in life or already have a home together, Goulding adds.

Above all, experts say shoppers should try to think outside the box and reflect on their unique relationship with the couple—which Hall acknowledges takes a bit more bandwidth than ticking off an item on a registry. “It takes a little extra legwork to gift an experience (especially abroad), but in my opinion doing the research is just part of the fun of gifting!” she says. And if you’re on a budget but still want to gift an unforgettable experience, Hall adds that splitting the cost with others is certainly an option.

How Much Should You Spend On Wedding Gifts?

Commonly accepted etiquette dictates that your gift costs the same as your plate—meaning, you spend what the couple spent to include you in their wedding. And that will vary from state to state—and wedding to wedding. Honeyfund’s CEO and co-founder Sara Margulis says the average Honeyfund wedding gift is $125.

But ask anyone who has ever planned a wedding, and they’ll say that there’s no such thing as too much. “Couples definitely understand that each guest is on a different budget. Most registries have gift choices in various amounts,” says Kenney. She adds that how much you choose to gift depends on what you’re comfortable with and can afford, as well as what type of relationship you have with the couple, whether they’re a family member, co-worker, neighbor or childhood best friend.

“There is even a wedding gift calculator on The Knot to help you determine what is appropriate based on your relationship, if you’re able to attend the wedding and what type of relationship you have,” Kenney suggests.

What Are Some Popular Retailers Couples Register With?

Today, it’s common to register with multiple retailers. Target, Bed Bath and Beyond and Macy’s are popular mid-level retailers, with some couples adding in pricier places like West Elm, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma.

Instead of registering solely for items, some couples register for activities and contributions for their honeymoon via sites like Honeyfund. The Target Wedding Registry integrates with Honeyfund, explains Margulis, who adds that Amazon has also become popular because “couples can register for almost anything under the sun.”

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The Best Wedding Gifts According To Wedding And Gifting Experts (2024)

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