This is a post I’ve been wanting to write for a long time! Meaningful and unique wedding gifts for the special couples in your life.
One thing I emphasized in my wedding gift etiquette post is that – in most cases – you should try to buy something on a couple’s registry. It’s thoughtful to buy something they actually want, after all!
But sometimes there are reasons to go off the registry. Perhaps you want to give a family member or best friend something a tad more meaningful. Or maybe everything on the registry has been bought, or whatever is left is not in your price range. I’ve even heard of some couples not registering at all. In those cases, I hope the following ideas will help you in your wedding season shopping.
1. Sasha Nichols Monogrammed Dinnerware
I’ve been following Sasha Nichols on Instagram for several years and just love everything they do. Brides can register for their custom dinnerware, but friends and family can give their beautiful monogrammed platters ($168+), champagne buckets ($185) and napkins rings ($24), just to name a few. A monogrammed Sasha Nichols piece can be customized to coordinate with the couple’s china and is made more meaningful by the option for an inscription on the back.
2. Matching Luxury Bathrobes
Such a fun gift! No need for them to swipe their honeymoon hotel bathrobes when they have their own monogrammed matching robes waiting for them at home.
3. Breakfast in Bed Tray
Every couple needs a tray for serving one another a romantic breakfast in bed! I love my Wisteria wicker tray because it has one side open, but here are some more below, including some Lucite serving trays that make great gifts.
4. Monogrammed Linen Hand Towels or Napkins
We all know personalized gifts can be the most thoughtful. A set of Lettermade monogrammed hand towels to hang in a powder room or a set of monogrammed cocktail napkins to have on hand for parties would be a wonderful gift for a bride and groom. Lettermade has so many beautiful modern and traditional monograms so you can customize the perfect gift for the happy couple.
Also, Pottery Barn has some lovely and simple monogrammed dinner napkins that would appeal to any taste.
5. Antique Silver Piece or Monogrammed Silver Platter
Many couples don’t register for silver anymore, but the traditional couple might appreciate an antique piece from Gryphon Estate Silver, a purveyor of estate and antique silver pieces. They will engrave the gift for you to make it an even more meaningful gift.
On that note, a monogrammed silver or silver-plated platter is an entertaining essential for most couples and therefore a great off-the-registry gift. I have used and appreciated my silver-plated platters over the years. Here are some options:
6. Fun or Luxury Kitchen Gadget
When going off the registry, think about buying something they might use/want but didn’t think to ask for it (or want to splurge for it!). I am thinking along the lines of quirky or luxury.
I did a Facebook poll with my readers earlier this year and one of the fun ideas was a Whirley Pop popcorn maker ($24.95) – so cute! Another reader told me she buys all of her nieces and nephews a Le Creuset Dutch Oven for their wedding gift (something they will use for decades.) Another idea? A Nespresso coffee/espresso maker!
I’ve got a lot more unique and beautiful wedding and shower gift ideas in the Gift Ideas dropdown menu on my homepage. Click here to browse.
What were your favorite off the registry wedding gifts? Comment below and share with the rest of us!
Pin the image below or click the Pinterest icon at the bottom of this post to save it for future reference.
Top Photo: Sasha Nichols
Maybe my aunt reads your blog. She also buys all of us Le Creuset Dutch Ovens (just lets us pick the color). I didn’t register for it but it is one of my most-used and most-loved kitchen pieces! Another great non-registry gift we got was a lightweight throw blanket with our wedding date monogrammed on it. It’s simple, it doesn’t take up much room, ad we use it all the time. And I love our engraved cutting board too- so pretty for serving appetizers. Oh and a good friend gave me a cute tote with my “new” monogram on it. Since i got married a little older, I had so many things with my old monogram (like all those bridesmaids gifts!) so it was fun to have something that was updated! Thanks Lee! These are great ideas for close friends or family when registry items just aren’t sufficient! Praying for you and your sweet baby girl!
Oh how funny! I do think that’s such a great gift, though. I love that your aunt asks what color you want. So thoughtful! I just added a monogrammed throw to my list and will look for a great cutting board to add. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Thank you for your prayres!
Dear Lee,
I am a new subscriber. I just love the thought behind your website/blog. Do, say, give are all so very important and life gets so busy. I appreciate getting a nudge from you!
I am praying for your baby girl! I just received my church “hospital prayer list” and you are on it! My husband and I started an empty nesters Sunday School class at PCPC called Believer’s Fellowship. We have also worked in the new-born nursery for almost 20 years. I am wondering if we had your daughters in the nursery! I’m so glad to know we go to the same church and hope to meet you in person!!
I appreciate you, sweet sister!
Thank you so much for your prayers! I am sure our paths have crossed but I would love to meet you soon. I am sure you had our daughters in the nursery!
One of my favorite wedding gifts was when a family friend took my wedding invitation and had it framed for me. It still hangs in our house and is such a fun memory. It’s not something I do for every wedding I attend (it takes time….and perhaps a lot of money depending on what you choose with mats and frames!), but I have done it for close friends and family. I usually check with the bride or groom’s Mom beforehand to see if she is doing it or know if someone else so there are not duplicates. My other favorite gift was from sister-in-law, who called up Sberna pottery in Italy (this was my new last name) and managed to have a beautiful Sberna pottery Sangria pitcher sent to us from Italy. Unique, but so cool and beautiful. It helps that she was a Romance Languages major!
For a more affordable option, I absolutely love giving the letter-specific coffee mugs from Anthropologie. They are less than $20 for two and make for a more personal gift. I do this often when I am buying for the same couple for a shower gift and wedding gift. I usually give them for the shower and then a nicer gift for the wedding gift.
Love this! Thanks for sharing!