How to Find the Perfect Wedding Gift

Finding the perfect wedding gift is never easy. In the lead-up to the big day, many of us worry more about picking out an outfit or pondering who we’ll be sitting next to at the reception than going gift shopping. As a result, any plans to hunt down a thoughtful gift are often pushed to the back of our minds until right at the last minute.

But even if you leave plenty of time to pick out the right present, finding the best wedding gift to demonstrate your joy and excitement about the happy couple’s momentous day can still be an immense struggle. Amid the sea of gravy boats, toasters and champagne glasses, how will your present stand out from the crowd? How can you make sure it brings delight into the lives of the newlyweds and will be something they’ll remember long after the big day has come and gone?

If you follow these five simple tips for choosing a wedding gift, you won’t have to stress about finding the perfect present and can instead focus on enjoying the celebration.

Consider the couple

If you’ve been invited to their wedding, hopefully you have some sort of idea about the couple’s passions, interests and hobbies. Use this to help point you in the right direction when you start looking for a gift, as they’ll adore a present that relates to something they both love. Buying for passionate foodies? Perhaps a rustic mortar and pestle would be right at home in their kitchen. Shopping for a creative couple? Maybe a funky piece of retro artwork will put smiles on their faces. Your knowledge about the couple is your best weapon when you hit the shops looking for a gift, so make sure you take the time to think carefully about who you are buying for.

Keep the bride happy — but don’t forget the groom!

The bride is always the star of any wedding, but that doesn't mean you should neglect the groom when you go shopping. The gift you get needs to set the newlyweds up for a lifetime of happiness together — not just spoil the bride —so now is not the time to give a gift that only one person will be interested in or be able to use. Try to find something that both husband and wife can use, cherish and enjoy.

Don’t be afraid to give cash

Cash is sometimes seen as a little too impersonal for a wedding gift and in some situations that is certainly the case. But for some couples, cash is the best possible present they could hope for. Whether it helps them pay for their honeymoon or set themselves up for a life together, you can be sure the newlyweds will use your gift. Of course, you will then have to face the tricky question of how much to give, so you may need to ask friends and family how much they are spending to help you settle on an appropriate amount. For the right people, the simple act of making a charitable donation to a cause close to their heart can elicit much more joy than any other gift ever could.

Homemade hero

Are you arty, crafty or just good with your hands? If so, why not take the time to produce a homemade gift? Putting in the effort to create something special can make a gift a whole lot more memorable than something store-bought and impersonal. From portraits ad artwork to hand-made fashion and homewares items, gifts you make yourself will always be received with open arms.

Make it memorable

The last and most important piece of advice is to give something the happy couple will remember. It’s important to try to give a gift they won’t forget, whether it’s because your present is unique, funny, charming, touching or just completely unexpected. You’ve been invited to their wedding because they want you to share in the celebration of their love, so the best wedding gift will demonstrate just how special their nuptials are to you.