11 Best Gift Ideas For Your Friends’ Upcoming Wedding

Posted In: Wedding Gifts

By Jim Campbell | Updated on February 15, 2024


Everyone enjoys receiving gifts. It doesn’t matter if the gift is simple or something expensive. It all comes down to how thoughtful and sincere you are with your intentions when offering them. So, if you’ve been invited to a friend’s wedding, you should definitely not miss the opportunity to give them something special. We’re sure that you don’t want to be remembered as the friend who gave them nothing. That’s why it’s important that you choose wisely. But what kind of present do you get?

In this article, we’ll show you 11 great wedding gift ideas for your friends who are about to get hitched. These selections are suitable for both men and women, so there shouldn’t be any issues finding something they’ll like.

Let’s begin by discussing some tips on how to determine the best wedding gift ideas for your friends.

How to find the best wedding gift for friends

Before we dive into choosing the perfect wedding gift idea for your friend, there are several things to consider:

1. Couple’s preference

When picking out the best wedding gift ideas for friends, always consider their personal preferences. Every couple has different tastes and needs, interests and hobbies, so your choice must be based on these.

2. The wedding theme

Check whether the couple has chosen any specific theme for their big day. This will help you choose an appropriate gift in terms of color, design, and use.

3. Your relationship with the couple

A thoughtful gesture goes a long way. If you are close enough to the couple, then it may be ideal to get them something that reflects your relationship with them. You could buy a framed picture from your childhood days or a hand-written card expressing how much you care about them.

4. Couple’s lifestyle

Another factor that you must take into consideration before choosing a wedding gift is the life style of the couple. For example, if they’re health conscious, then consider buying healthy organic food items or personal grooming products. Do they love traveling? Then you could give them a travel kit to make their adventures easier and more fun.

5. Wedding Registry

Does the couple have a wedding registry set up? If yes, make sure to go through their list, understand what exactly they need, and choose accordingly. Otherwise, you may also opt for an offbeat gift from our list of best wedding gift ideas for your friends.

11 Best Wedding Gift Ideas for Friends

Now that you understand the various factors to consider while choosing the perfect wedding gift, let us discuss some of the best wedding gift ideas for friends:

1. Personalized gift items

Personalized gifts are always a good idea. They show the recipient that you took time to think about them and went through the effort of creating or finding a unique item. These gifts also leave an emotional impact on the receiver, which helps create fond memories. Choose from a wide range of personalized gift ideas, including:

  • Wine glasses – This is a classic wedding gift option. You can personalize wine glasses with the bride and groom’s names and the date of their marriage or something that relates to them.
  • A coffee table book – Have the couple’s favorite picture printed on a coffee table book. To go along with this gift, include a note stating how much you cherish your friendship with them. Also, include some of your photos with each other so they know that you were there for every important moment in their lives.
  • Personalized robes – If they love lounging around in cozy clothes, then a pair of matching robes would make for an excellent gift. Similarly, you could have these embroidered with their name or initials.
personalized | best wedding gift ideas for friends

2. Home décor items

Home decoration items are also a great gift idea for friends getting married. This way, you’ll be able to help them decorate their new home. Whenever they look at these items, they will remember you and recall how well you knew their taste. Some of the home décor items that you could consider include:

  • Decorative mirror – Add a touch of elegance to the couple’s new home by purchasing a decorative mirror.
  • Candle – They can use scented candles in matching candle holders to set the mood for a romantic evening.
  • Wall hanging art prints – Decorate the bare walls of their new home by giving them wall hangings.
art | best wedding gift ideas for friends

3. Kitchenware

Kitchenware items are the most common wedding gift ideas for friends. This will help them stock up on kitchen essentials that they’ll need to cook delicious meals. Some items you can buy are:

  • Set of iron cast pots and pans – Cast iron cookware is durable, easy to clean and heat resistant. A set of these will last the couple for years to come.
  • Coffee maker – What better way to start their day than with a fresh cup of coffee? Buy them a coffee maker and they’ll never have to worry about running out of freshly brewed coffee again!
  • Food processor – The food processor is a handy tool that will enable them to shred, knead, dice and grind ingredients without much fuss. They can also use this appliance to blend ingredients together to make smoothies or sauces.
kitchenware | best wedding gift ideas for friends

4. Home essentials

Wedding gifts should be practical and useful. Therefore, it makes sense to buy the couple some home essentials that will make their lives more comfortable. They’ll use these every day and will appreciate the thoughtfulness of your gift. Here are a few ideas:

  • Bath towels – A bathroom towel set is a necessity for every household. Choose a plush set that will be comfortable to use.
  • Sheets and bedding sets – Soft sheets will ensure that the couple sleeps soundly throughout the night. Get a set that is made from high-quality fabric with colors that match their bedroom walls.
  • Wall clocks – Time is precious. Help them keep track of it by gifting them a wall clock. Clocks are available in different designs and styles, making it easy for you to find one that will complement the décor of their home.
home essentials | best wedding gift ideas for friends

5. Clothing and fashion accessories

The couple would certainly want to update their wardrobe after the wedding. So why not get them fashionable clothing and accessories? Here are some modern options that you can consider:

  • Wide-leg trousers for her – Wide-legged pants are currently trending. They’re stylish and easy to match. The bride-to-be could pair these with a casual t-shirt and sneakers for a relaxed look.
  • Leather jacket for him – An eye-catching leather jacket can transform a dull outfit into something bold and classy. This will make the groom-to-be stand out in a crowd.
  • Cardigan – A cardigan is a versatile addition to any outfit. It is warm and stylish and can be worn over shirts and dresses.

6. Gadgets

Gadgets have become an integral part of our daily lives. Since we most of us cannot live without our smartphones or computers, gadgets make for great gifts. There are a number of useful and innovative gadgets available on the market that are worth gifting. Some of these are as follows:

  • Smartwatch with fitness tracker – Give the couple smartwatches with fitness tracking functions. This will help them stay in shape by keeping a record of their movements and physical activities .
  • Bluetooth speaker – Good music makes any occasion more fun. Give the couple Bluetooth speakers so that they can listen to their favorite tracks wherever they go.
  • Digital photo frame – In this digital age, old photographs take a backseat. If you want the couple to relive their fond memories, give them a digital frame loaded with their best pictures.

7. Essential cleaning tools

Cleaning is a tedious task that most of us would rather avoid. However, a clean and tidy house will make the couple feel more relaxed. That’s why essential cleaning tools are a practical gift choice for the couple. If you’re unsure of what to gift them, here are a few options:

  • Handheld vacuum cleaners – The couple won’t have to drag around heavy vacuums anymore. Handheld vacuum cleaners are lightweight and easy to use.
  • Steam mops – This is another simple cleaning tool that will make life easier for the couple. They can steam off dirt and grime from floors and rugs with this gadget.
  • Dusting kit – Dusting is an unavoidable chore. But it doesn’t have to be such a pain with the help of a dusting kit. Get the couple a dusting kit that comes with a variety of attachments to clean even the hard-to-reach corners of the house.

8. Books and magazines

Reading can be a relaxing activity for the couple to enjoy together. Not only will this provide them with some much-needed entertainment, but it will also help them bond with one another over their mutual interests. Here are a few examples of what you can give them:

  • Novels – Reading novels can be a good way to spend time together. After all, sharing a common interest is bound to bring the two of you closer.
  • Cookbooks – Cooking is a fun hobby that the couple will surely enjoy. They can read this to discover new recipes they can prepare together.
  • Magazines – People today prefer reading magazines on their tablets and phones. However, there’s nothing like leafing through a real paper magazine. Give the couple a subscription to a magazine of their choice so that they can read it regularly and share stories about each issue.

9. Furniture

If you want to go the extra mile, try to figure out what kind of furniture the couple needs. Most newlyweds don’t own enough pieces to fill their homes. So, you could start by getting them furniture that will make their living space functional. Below are some budget-friendly recommendations:

  • Bedside lamp – The couple will be spending a lot of time at night on their beds. Make sure they’re well lit and cozy by buying them a bedside lamp. You can choose a classic round table lamp or go for contemporary designs with interesting shapes.
  • Rocking chair – A rocking chair is a beautiful piece of furniture that the couple can place in their room. It will provide them with a comfortable place to sit and relax after a long day.
  • Folding table – A folding table is another piece of furniture that the couple might find useful. They can bring this when going on picnics or barbecues.

10. Personal care products

Personal hygiene is important for both men and women alike. It isn’t just a matter of cleanliness; it is also about how you feel. So pamper your loved ones with some personal care products. The following items are ideal wedding gift ideas for friends:

  • Shaving cream – A man’s grooming ritual involves shaving. So, make sure he has a supply of quality shaving cream handy.
  • Lotion – Help the couple preserve their skin’s natural glow with a bottle of lotion.
  • Deodorant – Keep the couple smelling fresh and clean by giving them deodorants. Pick a body spray that contains a pleasant fragrance, one that suits their personality.

11. Intangible gifts

The above list of physical gift ideas should help you decide what to gift the happy couple on their special day. However, you can also opt for intangible wedding gifts that will surely touch the hearts of the bride and groom. These can include the following:

  • Honeymoon cash fund – If you know the couple enjoys traveling, you could set up a honeymoon fund. Ask family members and close friends to contribute small amounts to this fund so that the couple can have a memorable vacation anywhere they wish.
  • Spa voucher – Relaxation is vital for everyone. This is especially true for the couple who have been planning their wedding since forever. Gift the couple spa vouchers so that they can treat themselves to a rejuvenating massage after all the stress of the big day.
  • Gym subscription – Physical fitness is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. So, give the happy couple gym membership passes to help them stay fit. This will encourage them to stick to a regular workout schedule.

About The Author