Shopping for a wedding gift isn't always easy. While most couples have a wedding registry, sometimes you want to branch outside the box. (Or all the good items on the list have already been claimed.) There's also the issue of budget. Luckily, the best wedding gift doesn't have to be expensive to be meaningful. Practical gifts like a new vacuum or a serving platter are great, and home items are always a no-fail option, especially when you can personalize them with a monogram. There's something to be said for a gift that helps the newlyweds create memories together, like a cookbook for at-home date nights or a journal with date ideas.
For expert insight into finding the perfect gift for any couple, we consulted Kristin Sullivan, master wedding director of The Bridal Retreat. "Many couples already live together and have what they need," says Sullivan. She suggests gifting a unique experience for the couple, such as a picnic in the park or a day visit to local botanical gardens. Etiquette Design Company founder Victoria Della Torre also recommends considering the couple's habits and interests. And she loves to gift monogrammed items if the couple incorporates personalized touches into their home décor.
To help narrow your search, we rounded up the best wedding gifts, starting at just $12. We considered uniqueness, thoughtfulness, materials, quality, ease of use, aesthetics, packaging, and price in our assessment. After hours spent researching items to find standouts, we bought and tested our top picks to evaluate everything from personalization details to quality.
Georg Jensen Manhattan Champagne Bowl
Channel The Great Gatsby with this luxe champagne bowl by Georg Jensen—it's a classic gift for any couple who loves to entertain with flair. The mirror-polished stainless steel bowl is just under 16 inches tall and can hold up to six bottles of their favorite bubbly or vino on ice. The geometric design is bold, decorative, and reminiscent of a bygone era.
Trudon Green La Promeneuse Wax Diffuser Set
This gorgeous wax diffuser set from French candlemaker Trudon is a wonderful gift for couples who enjoy exploring different scents. The decorative green glass La Promeneuse holds a wax cameo in one of four included scents: Abd El Kader, Joséphine, Ernesto, and Cyrnos. Tea lights at the holder's base warm the wax and diffuse the scent for up to eight hours per cameo.
Baccarat Harmonie Double Old Fashioned Tumblers
This set of two handcrafted, full-lead crystal tumblers will add a touch of style to any bar cart or dining table. Made in France by Baccarat, the clear Harmonie tumbler has a linear silhouette with parallel cuts down the entire glass to the thick, sturdy base. Each 12-ounce glass is ideal for cocktails, water, iced tea, and soft drinks.
Fourth Street Dancing Duo Set of Two Brass Candlesticks
This aptly named set of tall, graceful candlesticks from Fourth Street will be a welcome addition to the new couple’s home. When topped with a candle, these polished brass candlesticks create interesting shapes and shadows on the walls. Each candlestick measures 16.7 inches in height and includes a spike to hold your chosen candle.
L'Objet Mamounia No.28 Candle
Made in Portugal, L'Objet's Mamounia candle is meant to bring to mind the scents of Marrakesh. The smell is light and fragrant with top notes of spearmint, heart notes of rose, geranium, and orange flower, and base notes of leather, amber, and honey. The paraffin wax candle is set in a 3.5 by 4.25-inch porcelain container with a brass lid and has an 80 to 90-hour burn time.
Lands Downunder Windowpane Cashmere Throw
This luxe throw is made in Italy from cashmere and lambswool and has a classic windowpane design. It’s lightweight enough for any season and looks elegant tossed over a sofa or chair. The ecru and taupe throw have a fringe edge and are also available in neutral tones. It measures a comfortable 51 by 67 inches and will look beautiful with any decor.
Joe Cariati Small Flask Decanter
Surprise the recipient with this special gift that will be unlike any other they receive. Made from free-blown glass, this gorgeous and artistic decanter makes a statement wherever it is placed. This functional glass piece's graceful lines and modern style will make it an instant classic.
Kaneko Kohyo Rinka Bowl
These scalloped dinnerware pieces from Kaneko Kohyo Pottery will provide a warm and whimsical style to the couple's table. The handmade bowls are made of earthenware with a glazed matte finish and are available in white, black, and pink. They come in seven sizes that are stackable and look wonderful together on a table holding different food items. Bonus: the dishes are microwave and dishwasher-safe
Ichendorf Milano Cilindro Colored Glass Cruet
This gift is ideal for the couple who loves their EVOO. Made from durable borosilicate glass, the cruet bottle is designed by Corrado Dotti and measures 3.25 by 7.5 inches, holding up to 3.5 ounces of their favorite olive oil. The bottle comes in four colors: green, amber, smoke, and pink, so you can choose a shade that they’ll enjoy displaying on their table or counter.
Flamingo Estate Seasonal Harvest Box
This seasonal harvest subscription box from Flamingo Estate is the ideal gift for couples who enjoy a surprise box of goodies. The gift includes a mix of kitchen, home, and bath gifts that vary by season. The winter box includes shampoo, extra virgin olive oil, medium roast coffee, an olive tree candle, face serum, and a soap brick. Each box contains new products, classics, and surprises from the Estate. You can give the gift for a single season (one box) or an annual subscription for four seasonal boxes.
Pottery Barn Providence Woven Picnic Basket
This preppy picnic basket will be handy for a weekend date at the park. Its navy-and-white striped canvas interior, coupled with woven willow and faux leather handles, lends a classic nautical vibe. Inside is a picnic set for two, complete with plates, wine glasses, cutlery, and a corkscrew for a nice bottle of red.
After testing, we concluded that we loved the look of this basket. It's a great size for two people and would make a nice gift for an engaged or newly married couple. And if you were giving it to a couple who really likes to picnic, it's great that it has everything you need for a day—silverware, plates, wine glasses, plates, and a corkscrew.
Patricia Carlin Intersection of Love Photo Print
This unique print captures the couple’s love with a customized street sign featuring their names and the year they met and married. You can opt to buy it unframed or framed, with five different framing options to choose from, including wood and gold.
One tester personalized the print with her maiden and married names and the date of their wedding. She was surprised by the size of the piece and would have preferred a smaller version to hang on her wall. But she felt that the piece was well-priced, considering the scale and sturdiness of the frame.
Minted Watercolor Venue Portrait
Looking for a way to memorialize the venue where they're tying the knot? This custom print—one of the unique custom products from the Minted + Brides collection—offers an opportunity to do just that. Upload a favorite photo of the location (either with or without the couple). Minted will create a digital watercolor rendition of the scene, complete with the couple's names, venue name, and event dates.
Select from sizes ranging from a petite 7" x 5" print to an oversized 54" x 40" statement piece. There is an option to purchase the unframed artwork by itself or to choose one of 12 elegant frames for a wall-ready gift.
While the digital watercolor technique works for most venue images, consider selecting a photo with a graphic, neutral background. This is especially important if the couple is featured in the foreground—it will help the figures pop and keep the overall look modern and less fussy.
Uncommon Goods Etched Skyline Glasses
Pick a city of significance to them—where they met, live, or are getting married—and its skyline will come to life etched on these wine glasses. They’re sold separately, so you could even gift a few different ones if the couple has several notable cities they'd like to commemorate.
Do One Thing Every Day Journals
Couples will continue to be surprised by one another with this journal for two. Filled with daily prompts, it offers couples many ways to connect and ideas for spending time together. Cute, fun, and inspiring, this journal will keep communication going—essential for any relationship.
One tester observed that the cover design of this book is eye-catching and cute. It also seems high quality but is affordable. Overall, they felt that many people would enjoy this activity gift, especially as a budget option (that keeps giving).
Anthropologie Marble Wine Rack
Give the couple a place to store all their gifted wine bottles with this elegant wine rack. A white marble base holds a stainless steel rack available in silver or gold that will store up to three bottles. It has a luxe look at an affordable price, promising to look good on any bar cart.
Greyling Post Personalized Couples Print
This customized print is right up an adventurous couple’s alley. Personalize everything from hair color to headwear, and even add furry friends! Top it off with the newlyweds’ names and the date they’re getting marriedYou’ll have a sweet little keepsake to make them smile every time they look at it. When we tested this print in our lab, we were impressed by the quality and weight of the paper, the vividness of the colors and the modern design.
The Parmatile Shop Marble Coaster Set
We love how this coaster set made of tumbled marble emits southwestern bohemian vibes while simultaneously having a sophisticated feel. The red-orange stone can complement a lively, colorful decor theme, and it can add a surprising contrast to a more muted palette.
Vermicular Musui-Kamado Cast Iron Induction Cooker
This cast iron induction cooker does it all—sears, sautés, stews, roasts, and bakes! An induction base controls temperature and distributes heat evenly, while the cast-iron pot and lid help retain moisture and flavor while food is cooking. Bonus: It comes with cookbooks touting over 70 recipes, two measuring cups, and a cast-iron lid stand.
Everdure Cube Portable Grill
A portable grill will be sure to delight the outdoorsy couple. The Everdure CUBE is compact and lightweight, complete with several functions that make grilling easier than ever. A bottom heat protection shield lets you place it anywhere, while the storage tray holds all your supplies. A removable charcoal tray provides easy clean-up.
Winc Gift Card
You don't have to be a sommelier to appreciate a monthly wine club membership. Gift the newlyweds a one-month, three-month, or six-month commitment to drinking wine from Winc. The club has a revolving door of wines to choose from and even sends wine recommendations based on a palate profile.
Brooklinen Luxe Move-In Bundle
A good bed is an investment in your sleep and peace of mind, but it doesn’t stop at the mattress. With Brooklinen’s Move-In bundle, your favorite couple will feel like sleeping in a cloud. It includes 480-thread count luxe sateen sheets, a comforter, and two pillows.
Beautiful Gift Shop Personalized First Christmas Ornament
This keepsake is made extra special by the fact that it’s only looked at once a year. A first Christmas ornament will always serve as a reminder of the couple’s first holiday together as spouses every time winter rolls around. It’s something magical to hang on the tree.
One tester tried out this ornament and liked the size and shape. They thought this would display nicely among other ornaments on a Christmas tree. The ceramic tile feels strong and should last for years to come. They also liked the customization options for names and years but felt the flat, circular tile style (versus a round globe design) may not be for everyone.
Uncommon Goods Personalized Wedding Keepsake Library
Give the couple a gift they didn’t even know they wanted. This personalized wedding keepsake library is the perfect treasure box for all their favorite mementos from the big day: a flower from the bridal bouquet, written vows, and the garter, to name a few. It features acid-free drawers, envelopes, fabric bags, and vertical files to keep everything organized.
Minka Textured Pot
Plant parents can never have too many green kids, so we bet they’d appreciate another home for their latest philodendron. The textured style of this hand-painted cement vessel has a sophisticated, bohemian edge. It comes in four sizes, from 6-inch diameter to 14.5-inch diameter.
Cuisinart Coffee Maker and Single Serve Brewer
A coffee maker is a must for any kitchen counter—even if your couple doesn’t drink coffee, it’s likely an overnight guest does. Besides, the Cuisinart Combo is suitable for soup, tea, and hot chocolate, thanks to its instant hot water button. It has a K-cup compatible brewer and removable drip tray and offers three serving sizes: six, eight, and 10 ounces.
Food52 Five Two Everyday Soft Cotton Napkins
Paper napkins are convenient and easy, but cloth napkins are a nice touch for special occasions. Crafted from cotton, these are surprisingly soft, featuring vintage-inspired hem-stitching details for a casual look. You can choose a set of four from seven different colors or a set of six (available in a cool or warm palette).
In Good Taste Tasting Flights
Help the newlyweds kick off their honeymoon celebration with a mini flight of wines. There are four different themes to choose from: the California Wine Mixer, featuring favorites from the Golden State; Wild Child Wines, an array of non-traditional flavors; the Passport Collection, which boasts the best from Europe; and Winemakers’ Favorites, a hand-selected curation from around the world.
Mark & Graham Wood and Marble Platter
Any appetizer, from chips and guac to cheese and jam, will look enticing when served on this platter. It features three handcrafted marble condiment bowls on a marble and solid acacia wood platter. You can customize it with an engraved monogram of their first initials or last name.
Intelligent Change Let's Get Closer Table Talk Game
Help your couple elevate their date nights with this fun and interactive card game. Questions like “What would you like to learn?” and “What are you grateful for today?” will help them continue to connect over the years. It’s also a great game to whip out for friends or family.
Cuisinart Elemental Food Processor
No one realizes they need a food processor until they’ve already got a recipe out. Stay one step ahead by giving them the Cuisinart Food Processor, which shreds, slices, and purees up to eight cups of food. This can do it all if the chef wants to make soup, salsa, or coleslaw.
Parachute Classic Bathroom Starter Bundle
There’s nothing better than stepping out of a shower into a soft towel, and Parachute’s Turkish cotton bath bundle is the ultimate luxury. Featuring a ribbed dobby design, the towels are free from harmful synthetic dyes. The set includes six bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths, each in seven colors.
Smeg 2-Slice Toaster
SMEG is in, and it’s easy to see why. Retro mid-century meets the 21st century in its sleek design and expert function, with two extra-wide slots, six browning levels, and a removable crumb tray. It comes in SMEG’s signature fun colors in a powder-coated enamel finish that’s scratch- and stain-resistant. Now, all the newlyweds need is a matching SMEG fridge.
Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2
Finally, a mug that solves the problem of your drink running cold. Through the brand's app, you can use your smartphone to set the perfect temperature to keep your drink at (even without the app, the mug will keep the drink warm). Whether a coffee or tea drinker, they'll love this temperature control mug.
We’re Not Really Strangers Card Game
This simple card game helps couples bond and continue to learn new things about each other. The deck consists of three different levels of questions that you ask one another. It's the perfect activity for date night at home.
Our Place Always Pan 2.0
Rather than crowding the newlyweds' kitchen with pots and pans, give them the only one they need: the Always Pan from Our Place. This pan replaces eight cookware pieces and has a spatula and strainer to braise, sear, steam, strain, sauté, fry, boil, and more.
Philips Premium Airfryer XXL
An air fryer is a great gift for a new couple. It makes cooking for two easier since you don't have to heat up an entire oven, and many recipes turn out tastier. This top-rated model comes in three different sizes and can do everything from air frying to baking to grilling. It's super easy to use and has presets for some of the most popular air-fried recipes.
The Sill
Plants make a house a home, so why not mark the start of a new chapter with some greenery? The Sill lets you ship a new plant to the recipient’s door and provides care instructions. We love how the site makes it easy to choose the right plants by categorizing them by size, experience level, and other factors like whether the household has pets.
Away Luggage Set
The new couple will likely have many upcoming trips from the bachelorette party to the honeymoon. With this luggage set from Away, they can upgrade how they fly with sleek and functional suitcases.
Therabody TheraFace Pro
If you know the couple is a fan of Theragun, give them the latest device, TheraFace. Both men and women can use this innovative tool to reduce wrinkles, rejuvenate their skin, and boost overall wellness through a relaxing facial massage.
Shop Home Maven Mr. and Mrs. Doormat
The newlyweds will be able to welcome everyone to their new home with this adorable outdoor doormat, which boasts their last name and the year they were married in a 3D velour embellishment. It’s crafted to withstand all kinds of weather and comes in three sizes to accommodate various door types.
One tester mentioned that many doormats tend to shed fibers, but this and this one held up well over time and with repeated use. They also liked the variety of personalization options—the mat can be made with all lowercase or all caps—but wished that there were more opportunities to play with scale in the size and style of the fonts.
What to Look for in a Wedding Gift
- Useful and Meaningful: There's a reason that household gadgets and kitchenware are among couples' most popular wedding gifts—they serve a purpose. However, sentimental wedding gifts for couples are also useful in their own way. Things like personalized ornaments will help spark memories for many holiday seasons to come.
- Personalized: If you opt for a personalized gift, you may want to ask a close friend or member of their family about the couple's traditions, religious preferences, décor aesthetic, and personal tastes before you click the buy button. Remember that a personalized gift usually comes with a no-return policy.
- Gift of Experience: If the happy couple loves to travel, a wonderful wedding gift allows them to make memories with an experiential present. Sullivan also recommends putting money towards their honeymoon through Honeyfund to add a paddle board lesson, a city tour, or a couple's massage to their itinerary. "Just make sure it's something they can do together," she says. "I'm a big fan of gifting memorable experiences!"
How We Tested
- Our editors tested several of the top products in our NYC-based lab.
- We considered materials, quality, ease of use, aesthetics, value, and packaging in our assessment.
Why Trust Brides
Brides contributor Hillary Hoffower has over six years of experience writing for the wedding industry, covering everything from bridal fashion trends to wedding decor. She has an eye for design and quality that she takes into consideration when selecting gifts. Her favorite gifts are those that create memories, whether it’s a photo book or experience.
- Kristin Sullivan is a wedding and event planner, author, and creator of The Bridal Retreat.
- Victoria Della Torre is a designer and the owner and founder of Etiquette Design Company.