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The only thing harder than deciphering wedding dress codes and trying to figure out what shoes are “beach formal” is the struggle to find the best wedding gifts for newlyweds. Now that it’s officially summer, wedding season is in full swing. If the invitations are flying at you faster than a freshly launched bridal bouquet and you’re starting to spiral about finding the perfect wedding-gift ideas, you’re not alone.
Since wedding-gift shopping can be a minefield, we reached out to experts for guidance. Below, we’ve rounded up the best ideas.
SO, YOU WANT TO BUY A WEDDING GIFT?
➼ FAQs
➼ Best wedding gifts under $100
➼ Best wedding gifts under $300
➼ Best wedding gifts under $500
➼ Our experts
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Best Wedding Gifts Under $100
Since there will be lots of photo ops, you really can’t go wrong with a picture frame. This silver frame from Georg Jensen is a crowd-pleaser. It’s minimal enough to match everything, and the ultrashiny stainless steel looks pricier than it is.
If they want more than one picture to remember their wedding day, engagement, or maybe even first date, this photo album has 30 pages of space for their favorite moments. It also makes a great accent for their coffee table.
A top pick from celebrity event planner Mindy Weiss’s wedding-gift curation for Mark & Graham, this sleek marble wine chiller is a great addition to anyone’s kitchen or bar space. Newlyweds are guaranteed to get a lot of wine and Champagne to celebrate the big day, so give them something pretty (and useful) to put the bottles in!
The couple who has it all probably hasn’t done it all, so what better way to treat the newlyweds than with scavenger hunts, cooking classes, and tarot readings. “Experiential gifts are great, whether it’s an Airbnb gift card, certificate for a local date night, at-home meal-delivery service, or something else they can do together,” Forrest shares.
Yes, towels make for a great wedding gift. But Forrest says it’s important to remember that “giving a wedding gift is not just about giving the couple things they don’t already have, it’s also about [gifting] upgrades to help them start off their newlywed life together.” We’re sure they don’t have these Missoni towels in a timeless zigzag pattern.
These favorites from Buffy are a little more minimal than the Missonis, above, but just as luxurious. The plush cotton towels are thick, absorbent, and soft.
“If you know the couple’s hobbies and interests well, opt for something more personalized, such as a gift card or subscription service for something like coffee or wine,” says Forrest. Winc delivers curated wine selections monthly.
Blue Bottle’s coffee subscription offers high-quality caffeine blends from all over the world so they can skip the Starbucks runs. If you’re really close to the couple, spring for a fancy espresso machine.
Foodies will appreciate any accessories to fuel their favorite hobby, like these cool blue bowls that are made for ramen.
Seriously, everyone wants an air fryer if they don’t have one already.
If they’re used to hosting or enjoy most of their date nights at home, this mini serving bowl will come in clutch for their favorite snacks.
Comes with everything the experienced (or novice) bartender needs to make their favorite drinks, minus the alcohol.
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Best Wedding Gifts Under $300
This is one of those foolproof gifts. You can never have enough sheets, especially ones like these. The lightweight linen is soft, breathable, and airy so they can use them right after their summer wedding.
Fancy enough to be wineglasses but subtle enough to use as everyday drinking glasses.
Experienced coffee and tea drinkers likely have all the pour-over coffee makers and French presses they need. Consider this set of offbeat spoons to go with their collection of cups and mugs.
Or you can opt for Champagne coupes in a pretty shade since the newlyweds will have more than enough opportunities to celebrate.
Retro kitchen appliances are having a moment thanks to brands like SMEG. From this incredibly cute two-slice toaster to a pastel electric kettle, SMEG has all the aesthetically pleasing, high-quality appliances newlyweds need to deck out their kitchen.
Featured in The Knot’s Registry Awards this year, this rice cooker is one of Nowack’s favorite wedding-gift items. “After spending my childhood in Japan, I am a sushi aficionado and very particular about how my rice is cooked, so I love how well this Zojirushi rice cooker does the job,” she says.
Another top gift from The Knot’s Awards Registry list is this exquisite Waterford Champagne-flute set. Crystal is always a beautiful way to express love for a happy couple, especially with these special flutes that feature a stylized diamond cut representing the eternal flame of love. Sentimental and sparkly!
This ingenious carrying basket transforms into a handy picnic table.
Don’t hesitate to give something extremely practical. Forrest notes that some couples are afraid to add these types of items to their registries. That said, why not gift a very fancy trash can instead of the standard plastic ones. This option features a liner pocket for easy replacement and opens hands-free for quick disposal.
For pet parents, separation anxiety is real, so gift them this camera that lets them check in on their pets and give them a treat throughout the day.
Of course, luggage is always practical, especially for the honeymoon. Gift the couple this carry-on that will withstand the TSA and being thrown in the overhead compartment.
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Best Wedding Gifts Under $500
Pots and pans are always top picks, according to Forrest. Make sure to choose well-made ones so the cooking (and clean up!) is a breeze for the couple you’re shopping for — these Made In nonstick pans are exactly that. Features include heat-resistant handles, an oven-safe design, even heating properties, and, of course, a professional-grade nonstick cooking surface.
Gift them the joy of a mini at-home wine cellar with this free-standing fridge. Available in black or stainless steel, it features an advanced compressor cooling system and removable shelves so you can arrange the bottles as you please. Truly no better gift for a wine lover or any self-proclaimed sommelier.
True toast connoisseurs are already coveting this meticulously engineered Japanese toaster oven. It’s great for making melt-y sandwiches and warming up leftovers, and it includes a steam feature for evenly browned, crisp bread with a fluffy and moist interior. The fact that they would probably never splurge on one for themselves makes it an ideal wedding gift.
Say hello to another practical item they might not ask for but will definitely need. This cordless vacuum is perfect for deep cleaning cars, carpets, and everything else.
Lots of couples ask for this multi-purpose kitchen staple, but this green is the color Forrest has been seeing a lot of on registries. With presents on the pricier side, she suggests making it a group gift, splitting the costs with your plus-one or a family member.
Even the most kitchen-avoidant couples have this stand mixer on their registry. We’ll be honest; we would have it too. However, if they barely bake, this won’t collect dust, since there are plenty of useful attachments you can gift, from spiralizers to food grinders.
It’s one part sculptural and one part practical. If they’re always hosting dinner parties, this is an easy way to decorate the table and serve their favorite meals.
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FAQs
What is considered a good wedding gift?
“It’s always a safe bet to gift an item off of the couple’s registry,” explains Emily Forrest, the director of communications at Zola. “The registry really is a road map for the couple’s newlywed home, and it’s something that they spent time on together to decide what they want and need.”
Hannah Nowack, senior weddings editor at The Knot, agrees that the registry is your best guide because it’s a reflection of the couple’s interests and what they truly want. “Couples take time to select the best items for their wedding that fit the needs of their current lifestyle, and selecting from that list ensures the to-be-weds will be able to use your gift to its fullest potential.”
Is it okay to give cash as a wedding gift?
Yes. Nowack says contributing to certain experiences or a cash fund is something couples greatly appreciate. “For example, maybe the couple already lives together and doesn’t need a lot of housewares. So instead, they register for airline gift cards or sports tickets through The Knot’s Registry to create memories together as newlyweds,” Nowack says.
How much money should you spend on a wedding gift?
Nowack admits there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all number” when it comes to wedding gifting. And while people have come up with equations like the “cover your plate” method, i.e., approximating the cost of your reception dinner and presenting the couple with a gift equal to that cost, Nowack suggests sticking to whatever makes you most at ease.
“In the end, it’s important to give a gift whose value you feel comfortable with. According to research from The Knot, the national average spent on a wedding gift is $160. But that number is an average that may not fit everyone’s situation,” she says.
