Wedding Gifts – Where to Start?
There is so much to think about on the lead up to your big day, your brain is bamboozled with a million ‘to-do’s’ from what colour scheme of flowers will match your dress, to whether you can have a 3-tiered strawberry jam sponge wedding cake?
Then there’s the presents…it seems like you want to thank everyone for their fantastic contribution, sometimes it is hard to know where to start.
The Girls
There is a wealth of choice when it comes to gifts for bridesmaids. Gorgeous smellies or a big bunch of flowers are popular, reasonably-priced presents. For a grander budget consider a silver locket, or even a beautiful scarf.
If you are on a budget, how about getting creative and making your own pretty body scrubs, tailored to each lovely lady.
The Boys
Men are notoriously more difficult to buy for. After a riotous stag-do and the wedding party of the century, it may be best to shy away from a vintage bottle of whiskey.
A tie or something he can keep such as a beautifully crafted pair of cufflinks is a popular choice. Rebus Signet Rings have a personalised range which includes engraving, adding an individual twist.
Favors for the Guests
The tradition of the bride and groom giving the wedding guests gratitude gifts has been around for centuries. Favors – sometimes known as their traditional name of bonbonierres – are usually sugared almonds in little net bags. Italian by origin, they are supposed to represent health, wealth, happiness and fertility.
With wedding budgets being cut in recent years, brides have been getting creative with favours. If almonds don’t set your taste-buds alight, then you could substitute almonds for jelly beans or home-baked biscuits.
For more intimate gatherings a thoughtful alternative is to give each guest a crystal representing their birthstone. Just make sure you have plenty of time to find out the date of their birthdays beforehand!
The Bride & Groom
This can be a sticky subject. How much should people spend on wedding gifts? It can be a costly business for those who have 4-5 weddings to attend this summer, the prices can certainly add up.
For a different approach than just the regular wedding list in conjunction with a department store, think about having a fund for a trip of a lifetime. It is also popular to have guests contribute towards a honeymoon.
Or for the very altruistic, some like to ask guests to sponsor endangered animals or donate to a charity of their choice.