31 Useful, Fun Wedding Gift Ideas to Help Start Their Next Chapter

Coming up with good wedding gift ideas can be a struggle, as you may be feeling left with a lot of big questions about what wedding gift ideas are appropriate, thoughtful or useful.

Typically, a couple will create a gift registry with a helpful list of suggested gifts. However, as traditions evolve, not every wedding has a registry anymore.

When there’s no registry, what is the best gift for a wedding? One idea from Cornell University's Legacy Project is to pass down any advice or words of wisdom you have for the newlyweds as they begin their life together.

But if you find yourself staring into a gift-shopping void of kitchen appliances and picture frames, don’t despair — this guide will give you all the inspiration you need for meaningful and original wedding gift ideas. 

Jump to Section

• Creative Wedding Gift Ideas
• Foodie Wedding Gift Ideas
• Unique Wedding Gift Ideas
• DIY Wedding Gift Ideas

Creative Wedding Gift Ideas

1. Paint and Sip

So, what is the best gift for married couples? These days, many couples are already living together when they get married, meaning that they usually already have all the basic household items that they need. If that’s the case for your newlywed friends, you may want to consider experience gifts.  

For example, if the couple enjoys art, they’ll have a lot of fun at a paint and sip. Paint and sips are excellent for romantic dates where loved ones can share their creativity over an intimate glass of wine. 

You can either make it a local wedding gift idea and choose a paint and sip near you, or you can incorporate it into the couple’s honeymoon plans. Many popular honeymoon destination cities offer paint and sip experiences, such as paint and sip in Denver, paint and sip in Chicago or paint and sip in NYC. 

2. Pottery Classes

Pottery classes are also awesome experience gifts for newlyweds who like creative activities. Making pottery is a tactile and playful process that can produce magical, dreamy moments for newlyweds — if you need an example, look no further than the iconic Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore pottery scene in Ghost.  

You should have no trouble locating pottery classes near you. Professional artists throughout the country offer affordable studio classes for adults, including pottery classes in Houston, pottery classes in Los Angeles and pottery classes in Boston. 

3. Dance Classes

If your newlyweds like music and exercise, try signing them up for a couple’s dance class. You could choose a traditionally romantic dance class, such as tango or ballroom dancing, or encourage your friends to have some fun in a modern dance class. 

Dance classes are another excellent experience gift for honeymoons. If you know where the couple plans to go on their honeymoon, you can research dance courses in the area, such as dance classes in Las Vegas, dance classes in NYC or dance classes in the Bay Area.

For folks who don’t have much free time, you can also give the gift of online dance classes. 

4. Instant Camera

An instant camera is a thoughtful wedding gift for couples who are constantly documenting their special moments. Look for a quality instant camera that’s a good balance between portability and image size, such as the Polaroid Now instant camera.

For an extra touch, introduce your gift by taking candid photos at the wedding reception and give the couple the camera and a full photo album the following morning. 

5. Turntable 

Music players are also nice as wedding gifts for a friend. If your newlywed pals are music enthusiasts, consider getting them a turntable where they can play their favorite records.

Contemporary turntables are compact and incorporate advanced technology to enhance the listening experience. The newlyweds are sure to appreciate having a new way to enjoy music in their home. 

6. Audiobooks Subscription

For a wedding gift idea that will get regularly used, you may want to sign your friends up for an Audiobooks subscription. By joining Audiobook Clubs, newlyweds will have a virtually infinite supply of new podcasts and books to experience together as a couple.

Subscriptions are particularly convenient as last-minute gift ideas since it only takes a few minutes to arrange.   

7. Book of Poems

One of the biggest questions for wedding guests is: what is a typical wedding gift amount? Unless you are attending an extremely upscale wedding, you don’t need to worry about getting an expensive gift. There are many nice gifts under $50 that newlyweds will love, such as a book of poems. 

Poetry is a romantic wedding gift idea and a sweet gesture if you’ve known a couple for a long time. Look for a book of love poems that suits their taste.

For example, you could choose the classic Rumi: the Book of Love: Poems of Ecstasy and Longing, or, if your friends prefer modern literature, a collection of contemporary poetry. 

Foodie Wedding Gift Ideas

8. Cooking Classes

Cooking meals is a foundational element of a healthy domestic partnership. Preparing food together can help couples discover a new love language, not to mention practice a valuable skill that they’ll need in their household.

If you want the theme of the wedding gift idea to be more about home cooking, you can find cooking classes near you or sign your friends up for online cooking classes.

On the other hand, if you want to turn cooking classes into a honeymoon experience, you can search for culinary courses in various cities, such as cooking classes in Houston, cooking classes in Tucson or cooking classes in Portland. 

9. Cheese Board

Cheese boards are cute and practical wedding gift ideas for couples who love to host or as gifts for foodies. You can use an attractive platter for charcuterie boards and other creative appetizer presentations.

To keep this wedding gift idea more interesting, look for a cheese board with a unique design, like this bee-themed cheese board. 

10. Monogrammed Wine Glasses

You might ask, what are examples of wedding gifts? Most people will mention wine glasses as a traditional present for weddings. 

Wine glasses are an essential item for most households, and while an engaged couple may already have a few glasses, there’s nothing like a set of monogrammed wine glasses to officially commemorate the marital union.

These monogrammed wine glasses offer various monogram styles, making it easy for you to be inclusive of any couple, regardless of whether or not anyone is changing their last name. 

11. Cookbook for Two

If the newlyweds in your life spend a lot of time in the kitchen, they’ll be delighted to receive a cookbook for couples. Various cookbooks for two are available at bookstores, including some that are written with married couples in mind, such as The Newlywed Cookbook or Date Night In.

12. Recipe Book

Another fun wedding gift idea for people who like to cook is a recipe book. You can find blank recipe journals that are designed for couples or families to fill out.

A good recipe book will have plenty of sturdy pages with space for ingredients, instructions and special chef’s notes. If you need family gift ideas, you can ask the older members of your family to fill out the first few pages with old family recipes. 

13. Pasta Maker

Every wedding registry should include a pasta maker. Pasta makers are excellent wedding gifts for experienced home chefs and cooking novices alike.

Although homemade pasta is challenging, it’s often a laughter-filled activity with yummy results. You can either get a high-quality pasta maker or opt for a stand mixer attachment. 

14. Treat Them to Brunch

When in doubt, restaurant gift certificates are reliable last-minute wedding gift ideas for guests to give. You can treat your newlywed pals to a romantic brunch at their favorite upscale restaurant.

If you plan well, it might even work as a wedding gift idea for the honeymoon or even the morning after the wedding. 

15. Dinner Bowls

Dinner bowls, also called pasta bowls, are overlooked but incredibly useful wedding gifts for couples from friends. Dinner bowls are shallow and wide, allowing them to serve interchangeably as plates or bowls, depending on the meal.

For the wedding gift, you can get traditional white bowls or spring for these colorful pasta bowls.

Unique Wedding Gift Ideas

16. Virtual Games

If your newlywed friends prefer to stay at home, or if they have a social circle scattered throughout the country, they might appreciate the wedding gift idea of an immersive virtual game. When it comes to virtual game nights, there is a plethora of unique entertainment options. 

For instance, you can organize online trivia games, like the newlywed game. You could also look for team-oriented puzzle activities, such as virtual scavenger hunts or virtual escape rooms. Depending on your social circle, virtual game nights can also be wedding gift ideas for guests to enjoy as well. 

17. Virtual Beverage Tasting

What some newlywed couples really desire as a gift is privacy. If you want to treat your loved ones to an intimate date night, sign them up for a virtual beverage tasting. 

From the comfort of their own home, the loving couple can learn about the nuances of fine beverages and share a special evening, just the two of them.

You can choose from various beverage-tasting options depending on the couple’s preferences. Virtual wine tastings are fantastic gifts for wine lovers, while online mixology classes are delightful gifts for cocktail lovers. 

18. Personalized Art Print

Personalized art prints are truly unique wedding gift ideas that will provide the couple with an original work of art. You can commission art pieces that reference important locations or moments in the couple’s relationship.

You could also look for a simple, timeless piece, such as a custom line drawing of the newlyweds embracing. Personalized art prints are good wedding gifts for best friends to arrange since they’ll likely already have a large collection of reference photos of the couple to give to the artist. 

19. Couple’s Journal

If you are trying to think of the best wedding gifts for friends to give, you may need a wedding gift idea that’s more distinctive than a blender. A couple’s journal is a meaningful wedding gift idea that can have a big impact on your friends.

Most journals for couples will have thoughtful journal prompts about their relationship, ranging from reflections on communication to questions about hopes and dreams. 

20. Eternity Roses

Have you ever thought of flowers as wedding gift ideas for brides and grooms, but wanted to give something more permanent?

Eternity Roses from Venus Et Fleur are real, beautiful roses that stay alive for an entire year and don’t require watering or extra care. You choose from a large collection of colors and arrangements. 

21. Travel Map Poster

If the happy couple loves to travel, a large wall map is an entertaining wedding gift idea. Give your friends a map with pins or stickers, so they can mark off all the places they have traveled to together.

You can get a map of a specific country or region, like this United States map, or get a map of the world so they can track their global adventures. 

22. Customized Stationery

Now that your loved ones have tied the knot, it may be time to upgrade their stationery. Monogrammed stationery is a timeless wedding gift idea.

As you select a stationery design, be mindful of choosing a monogram style that suits the newlyweds’ names — if they have different last names, for example, opt for a design that incorporates both their initials. 

23. Sentimental Blanket

Sentimental items always make for special wedding gift ideas for best friends to give. If you have any sewing skills, consider making the newlyweds a personalized throw blanket.

Blankets are both thoughtful and useful wedding gifts for couples. For example, you can make a quilt using scraps of fabric that are significant to them, such as a sports jersey or college sweatshirt. You could also embroider a blanket with meaningful notes and images. 

DIY Wedding Gift Ideas

24. Flower Arranging Classes

The best DIY wedding gift ideas are the ones that will provide the couple with a meaningful experience and a useful skill. Flower arranging classes are particularly nice wedding gift ideas for brides or grooms looking for something low-maintenance but creatively engaging.

At a flower arranging class, a newlywed couple can experiment with color and design. Plus, it may get them in the habit of regularly surprising each other with gorgeous bouquets. If you can’t find a good flower arranging class in your area, you can also sign your friends up for virtual flower arranging classes. 

25. Glass Blowing Classes

Glass blowing classes are an original wedding gift idea for couples who like a challenge, especially as gifts for artists. Although it’s a difficult skill to learn, you would be amazed by the gorgeous glass pieces that beginner-level artists can make. 

Furthermore, glass blowing classes are fun wedding gifts for a couple to have an opportunity to make a keepsake Christmas ornament or trinket to commemorate the first year of their marriage. 

26. Sewing Classes

Sewing classes are another wedding gift idea that will provide newlyweds with a skill that is both creative and practical. In addition to learning basic hemming or mending, couples could also use a sewing class to learn how to make a wide range of items, opening up the possibility of romantic handmade gifts in the future. 

27. Woodworking Classes

Woodworking classes are one of the best wedding gifts for friends with cottage core or rustic vibes. Newlyweds can make all kinds of special items in a woodworking class, such as a keepsake box for wedding items, a decorative sign for their home or a simple shelf for displaying their favorite wedding photos. 

28. Gardening Kit

A gardening kit is another awesome DIY wedding gift idea that couples can use daily. Give them a flower garden kit if they have a new home to spruce up, or, if you want to encourage their culinary hobby, an herb garden kit to keep in the kitchen. 

30. Hand-Casting Kit

If you need a wedding gift idea that’s unique, interactive and affordable, you’ll be a big fan of a hand-casting kit. With this easy craft activity, newlyweds can create a molded sculpture of their hands clasped together.

Not only is it a fun art project but the couple will have an original modern sculpture to display in their home. 

31. Love Letter Book

Keeping the passion alive is an important priority during the first year of marriage. Encourage your newlywed friends to nurture their love by getting them Letters to My Love, a guided book they can use to write love letters to be opened at a later date. This wedding gift idea also works quite well as an anniversary gift. 

29. Keepsakes Container

After a wedding, many couples have a lot of items to sort through, ranging from old decorations and signs to ring boxes and dried-out boutonnieres. Help your loved ones out and get them a gorgeous keepsake box.

When it comes to keepsake boxes as wedding gifts for a couple, you’ll have a lot of options. You could give them an attractive box or a more elaborate wedding library kit. Either way, newlyweds will get a lot of joy from organizing their keepsakes and reminiscing about their special day.  

Wedding gifts have changed greatly over the years, and there is now a much broader definition of acceptable wedding gift ideas, ranging from dishware to honeymoon experiences.

It doesn’t matter how expensive or fancy your wedding gift idea is, your loved ones will value any thoughtful present that shows you are accompanying them on this new chapter in their lives. 

For even more fun gift ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!