Weddings

It’s always tough to choose a gift for the couple that seems to have it all. Maybe they’ve lived together for years and have built up a collection of all of the homeware they could ever need. Or perhaps they’re minimalists and are comfortable living with very few possessions.

But don’t worry! Here’s a list of unique wedding gift ideas for inspiration, from DIY to affordable to splurge-worthy splendour. Rather than getting them an item that they may already have, or something they won’t often use, treat them to a thoughtful present that’s truly out of the gift box.

The Tastiest Gift Ever

Buy them a culinary experience they’ll never forget; your favourite couple can never have enough delicious food. Treating them to a unique dining experience will serve as a gift and a post-honeymoon date all wrapped up into one. This is your opportunity to brainstorm what would mean the most them; do they love fine dining?

If so, splash the cash on a luxury culinary experience at Michelin-starred restaurant. If they’re homebodies and enjoy a movie night on the couch, get their favourite takeaway food delivered right to their door after a long workday.  Bonus points if you throw in a great bottle of wine!

Make Them a Succulent Arrangement

Add some green, leafy vibrancy to their new lives as husband and wife. This is an easy, fun gift for the couple that wants Instagram-worthy home decor, but doesn’t want another chore to add to their list. It’s great for younger couples, older couples, and everyone in between.

Succulents only require watering about 3 times a month, which means it’s easy to keep this gift for ages. Plants are a long-term gift compared to a bouquet of flowers or a box of fancy chocolates. Visit your local garden centre and arrange one yourself, or order an arrangement from your local florist.

Host a Party For Them

Celebrating never gets old! Host a barbeque or a late-night wine session on the patio. We love this for summer weddings and warm-weather neighbourhoods. If the weather doesn’t permit outdoor celebrations, embrace the cosiness and host an intimate party on your friends’ behalf. Winter parties pair well with string lights, hot chocolate, and yummy comfort food. Spice up any party with unique decorations, photos of the couple, and a party activity like a photo booth.

Organise a Trip for Them

From a lovely road trip to a grand world tour, celebrate their love by creating their latest travel itinerary. Adventurous couples will appreciate a tour of a national park, and culture vultures will love museum tickets. Think long and hard about this one- is there a place your friend has always wanted to visit? A gallery they’ve been waiting to see? Buy them a pair of train or plane tickets and send them on their way. If you’re feeling extra generous, treat them to premium seats!

Buy Them a Piece of Art

The beautiful couple needs beautiful artwork to match! Visit a local art print shop or gallery and pick something that strikes your fancy, keeping their taste and home style in mind. Frame the piece, and make sure to include all of the materials necessary for hanging it in their home.

Matchy-matchy: Robes, Slippers and PJs!

It’s cheesy. But it’s so damn cute. “His and hers” outfits and accessories are always a great way to celebrate married life. Personalized items like robes or slippers will fit anyone that loves to be cosy and cute.

Stock Their Bar Cart

For the duo that likes to entertain; supply them with all of the trendiest bar cart essentials! Put together a gift basket with liquors, mixers, and garnishes. Add classic mixology tools like a shaker, strainer, and bottle opener to the basket. Keep a consistent colour theme throughout the bottles, packaging, and tools so that your gift basket looks twice as nice. If you just want to give your newlywed friends some classic bar cart tools, throw in a bottle of champagne to keep the celebratory vibes going.

Buy Them a Museum Tour

If they’re itching to learn something new, set them up with an exciting museum tour.  This gift is perfect for teachers, historians, or any twosome that loves to learn. Don’t forget to add that extra cherry-on-top: book transportation to and from the museum to charm them from beginning to end. You could even treat them to a souvenir from the museum so they have a way to remember their fun, experiential gift!

Get Them Ready for Adventure with Luggage

A high quality, modern luggage set is an unusual but useful gift. The newlyweds can use it on their honeymoon, on business trips, or anywhere else they decide to venture. After all, the couple that packs together, stays together.

Gussy Up Their Powder Room

Make a gift basket with all things spa-like: candles, luxurious towels, and bubble bath. Soothing scents like lavender and jasmine pair well with post-wedding joy! Allowing the newlyweds to unwind in their home makes for a great gift. The candles, bubble bath, and cosy necessities will make their bathroom feel like a real, luxurious spa.

Book or Buy Them a Date Night

New couples are much more likely to embrace date night. After the wedding, your friends are going to want another way to enjoy their time together, instead of planning or going on their usual dates. This gift could even be as simple as calling an incredible restaurant on their behalf. Buy them a fun date night and keep it lighthearted- they’re going to love any excuse to go out and have fun!

Gift giving for newlyweds can be loads of fun. Some may seem to have everything, but when it comes to marriage, all that matters is finding a way to celebrate the love that they have for each other. Whether it’s a gift basket or a dinner reservation, personalize it depending on your friends’ tastes, hobbies, and passions. Even the picky pair that seems to have everything will appreciate these unique presents and experiences.

It was April Fool’s the other day, and it was no drill when I said: “we’re getting married this month!”. It feels like only yesterday we were talking about how the wedding was 2 years away, and now it’s a couple of weeks away. There’s a couple of bits we still need to organise but we’re pretty much there. I’m sure there’s something important I’ve forgotten to do… Turns out, people worry a lot when it comes to choosing something to wear to a wedding.

We’ve had so many people ask us if what they’ve chosen is OK. Honestly, we don’t care what people wear to our wedding, as long as they’re there and they’re comfortable. I completely understand why people find it stressful though, there’s nothing worse than turning up somewhere and feeling under or overdressed. There’s also etiquette around what is allowed and what isn’t allowed, which quite frankly, is silly.

Shopping for a special occasion outfit should be fun (shopping should NEVER be stressful!). Here are some helpful little tips from a real-bride if you’re on the hunt for something to wear to a wedding.

Consider the time of year

Are you heading to an A/W or S/S wedding? If it’s going to be cool, consider darker colours such as navy, deep red or emerald green. Alternatively, if it’s warm then you might want to opt for a lighter colour like pale pink, powder blue or nude. Pinterest is a great place to begin if you’re completely lost for ideas.

Think about comfort

If you’re going to a wedding, chances are, it’s going to be a long day. Choose something you’re comfortable in. There’s nothing worse than wearing an outfit and constantly worrying if your hair clips are falling out or if you’ve got sweat patches. No, no, no. These shouldn’t be things you should be worrying about at a wedding.

Don’t break the bank

Lots of our guests have asked us what they should wear, and as I mentioned, we’re very laid back about this. There’s no need to bankrupt yourself just because you’re going to a wedding. Dig something out from the back of your wardrobe and pair it with some cheap high heels from Uppersole. If you don’t think you’ve got anything suitable, get down the charity shop!

Check the weather

Should you pack a raincoat or a pashmina? It’s difficult to predict the weather in the UK but usually, you can get an idea of what the weather is going to be like. Consider the wedding venue, too. If it’s going to be in a field, you might want to be mindful of the weather a bit more so than if it’s an indoor affair at a manor house.

If you’re unsure or you’ve got a couple of potential outfits in mind but don’t know what to order, put your mind at ease and double-check with the bride. If she’s anything like me, she’ll love it! It’s so exciting receiving pictures from my friends taking selfies in the mirror saying “Omg! Which one do you like? I’ve ordered 5 dresses 😂”.

When you get engaged, and you start the process of wedding planning, it’s very easy to get carried away with dress shopping and looking around for the perfect venue. With endless lists of things to do and people to please, it can be a struggle to find the time and the energy to get the finer details right.

The trouble is that those little finishing touches can often make the day, enabling you to design a unique celebration that is personal to you and different from any other wedding your guests have attended. If you’re in the throes of wedding planning, here are some details you won’t want to miss off your list.

Invitations

Whether you have a party of 30 or 300, you can use your wedding invitations to set the tone, provide clues to a theme and encourage your guests to get involved in the day. Choose images or themes that reflect your relationship and the kind of event you’re planning, don’t be afraid to inject some personality, and add personal touches.

Include your guests’ names, match the design to the type of celebration, and offer useful information. Take a look at sites like Countryside Art for inspiration, and think about doing something a little different to set your wedding apart from others. This could be anything from using tickets or passports for a destination or a festival-themed wedding to using a hand-drawn image of the venue or including a personalised message for your guests inside.

Favours

If you dream of a setup that makes your guests’ jaws drop as they view the venue for the first time, it’s crucial to pay attention to the details, as well as the main features of the room or space.

You can make a splash with floral centrepieces or towering ice sculptures, but you can also make your friends and family feel special and provide them with a memento to treasure by decorating the tables with fabulous, bespoke favours. Think about the theme of the event, the kind of venue you’ve chosen, and your interests and passions.

If you’re a couple that loves food and drink, for example, you could opt for artisan truffles or homemade gin.

Transport

You’ve found the dream venue, your outfits have been ordered, and the photographer is booked. Now, it’s time to take care of the logistics and work out how your guests and the bridal party are going to travel to and from the ceremony and the reception venue.

There’s an array of options available to you, from classic cars and sporty convertibles to tractors and trailers, vintage buses and campervans. Consider your party size and your budget, and then explore options that fit with the vibe of the day. If you’re planning a traditional wedding, vintage cars and old-fashioned buses are an ideal fit.

If you’re going for a beach wedding, boats or campers are a great idea. Group transport makes planning logistics easy, and it’s a fantastic way of enabling guests to get to know each other.

Wedding planning is often dominated by touring venues and bridal boutiques. While finding a perfect dress and booking a venue is essential, it’s wise not to lose sight of the impact of the finer details.