Best Wedding Gifts: 15 Ideas for When You Need to Go Off-Registry

Choosing a meaningful, personal wedding gift is one of the most thoughtful ways you can celebrate a couple, but it’s not always easy if they don’t have a registry, or you’re unsure how practical you should go. Then, of course, there’s the matter of budget. No matter what you want to spend, whether it’s a smaller amount or an over-the-top budget-buster, you can use one of the ideas from our list of the best wedding gifts, as a fun, thoughtful way to celebrate them while staying within your designated budget. We’re ready to say “I do” to these picks for every type of couple.

Best wedding gifts for foodies

Glass Pitcher by Barski

This glass pitcher is as versatile as it is beautiful, and any couple who likes to entertain can likely find a space for this in their home. Not only is it a perfect serving piece for martinis, but it can stylishly showcase almost any non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverage, from iced tea and lemonade, to sangria and mimosas. And at around $50, it’s one of my favorite budget-friendly picks, too.

DASH Deluxe Everyday Electric Griddle

Pancakes, bacon, eggs, and more—the DASH Deluxe Everyday Electric Griddle is a great option for any couple who like to flex their cooking muscles in the kitchen. It has a large surface area so it can work for numerous recipes, acting as an extension of a couple’s cooking area. It even comes with a removable griddle plate, so cleanup is a snap.

BBQ Tool Set with Storage Case from Williams-Sonoma

Perhaps the couple you’re celebrating prefer to take their cooking outside. In that case, you can gift them this gorgeous BBQ Tool Set with Storage Case from Williams-Sonoma. Not only does it include a sleek, stylish carrying case so they can easily store it away when not in use, but each stainless steel tool comes with a lifetime guarantee of workmanship. The tool set features longer length tools which are perfect for keeping your distance from the heat while grilling. While this set comes with black handles, you can also choose an all stainless option, too.

DASH Tasti-Crisp™ Digital Air Fryer

This digital air fryer from DASH is a perfect addition to almost any kitchen, but especially for those who are learning how to cook and build their recipe repertoire. Its easy operation and smaller 2.6 quart size make it ideal for smaller kitchens, or any couple that needs a basic appliance. The product also receives glowing reviews, with many users remarking about how tasty the food comes out and how easy it is to keep clean.

Le Creuset Stoneware Rectangular Dish

When it comes to the kitchen, few brands are as reliable and iconic as Le Creuset. These pieces will literally last a lifetime and can even be passed onto the next generation if taken care of properly. Whether the couple is learning how to bake or has already mastered it, they’ll appreciate the quality and craftsmanship of this Le Creuset Stoneware Rectangular Dish. It comes in the popular nine inch by 14 inch design and includes a platter, all of which can go from the freezer, to the oven or the broiler and to the dishwasher with ease.

Thrive Market Membership & Gift Card

For that couple that loves to cook, a membership and gift card to Thrive Market is a great gift option. With their Thrive membership, the couple can conveniently shop for healthy and high-quality groceries that suit their needs from the comfort of their home. It's a thoughtful and practical present that supports their well-being and offers an easy way to meal prep without having to go to the grocery store every week.

Estelle Colored Glass Hand-Blown Wine Glass 6-Piece Set

Classy and elegant, this set from Estelle would make the perfect wedding gift for any cocktail-loving couple. Crafted from hand-blown glass, each piece is a unique work of art, adding a touch of expression to any get-together. This piece is a thoughtful gift that newlyweds can enjoy for years to come—creating lasting memories with each toast.

Mark & Graham Wood and Marble Appetizer Serving Platter

The Wood and Marble Appetizer Serving Platter from Mark and Graham is an ideal wedding gift for elevating date nights at home. This elegant and versatile serving platter adds a touch of sophistication to their evenings, providing a stylish way to enjoy shared snacks and appetizers while cozying up together with a movie or board game.

Best wedding gifts for travelers

3 Piece Hard Shell Luggage Set by FOCHIER

A luggage set is one of those items a couple might not think about, but will always appreciate. Whether they need it for their honeymoon or quick weekend getaways, a hard shell luggage set will get tons of use and keep them stylishly organized while traveling. This set earns high ratings for being smooth rolling, lightweight, and sturdy–it looks quite impressive, too.

Personalized Push Pin World Map by HolyCowCanvas

Whether the couple has their travels already planned or they’re dreaming about their future adventures, this push pin canvas offers a creative and lovely way to keep track of their destinations, while fitting in with a wide range of decor styles. They can add a push pin each time they visit somewhere or make plans on traveling, while decorating their new home with a personal touch.

The Journey Travel Journal by Papier

For the couple who is always on the go, whether to the next town over visiting their family or setting off for a hike across the country, this stunning travel journal by Papier gives them an elegant way to capture their favorite memories. Not only can it be personalized, it even features travel games and a world map so they can see where they’re headed and dream about where the future will take them.

Matching Everywhere Bags from Away

For the couple that loves to take short weekend getaways, matching Everywhere Bags from Away are a great option. Large enough to hold a weekend’s worth of clothes, yet not so large that they will be difficult to carry, these bags are a sleek and high-quality way to travel in style. With several different color and customization options, you can get the new couple’s last name or initials monogrammed on their bags for a thoughtful, personalized present.

The Adventure Challenge Couples Camera Bundle

The Couples Camera Set from The Adventure Challenge makes an exciting and unique wedding gift for couples who love adventure and spontaneity, encouraging the newlyweds to create lasting memories together. It's a thoughtful way to kickstart their journey as a married couple, capturing moments of joy and excitement as they navigate the adventures of life side by side.

Best wedding gifts for their home

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Throw

Nothing says cozy and luxurious quite like the Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Throw, so any couple would be thrilled to add this to their bedding collection. Whether draped on a sofa or used for keeping warm at night, these blankets are generously sized and buttery soft. They’re available in multiple colors, too, so you can choose one that coordinates with their preferred style. Another added bonus is that these blankets are completely machine washable and safe in the dryer, making them super easy for cleaning and maintaining.

Terra Kaffe TK-01 Super Automatic Espresso Machine

The Terra Kaffe TK-01 Espresso Machine is a fantastic wedding gift for coffee lovers. It's sleek, modern, and brings the coffee shop experience right to their kitchen. With this machine, every morning can be shared over a barista-level brew.

Lazy Susan Cheese Cutting Board Set

Part lazy Susan, part charcuterie board, the newlyweds won’t have to choose between serving snacks and looking stylish with this updated serving tray. A lazy Susan offers a fun way to make entertaining a breeze by rotating around so guests can easily turn the tray towards them. This unique piece takes it a step further by adding a perfect open spot for a charcuterie board, so whether the couple is hosting a party for game day or opting for a quiet night at home, everyone can easily reach their favorite foods with this fun yet elegant option.

Ring Video Doorbell

Perhaps a security system isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you’re planning a wedding gift, but a Ring Video Doorbell is both practical and helpful. This technology can go a long way towards adding an extra layer of security, which the couple might not be too focused on right now, but will appreciate as they’re setting up their household. They can also add the optional monthly service for additional monitoring, adding even more security.

Pure Bamboo Sheet Set

Many couples face tighter budgets when they’re first starting out and setting up their homes, but a Pure Bamboo Sheet Set can make them feel like they’re living in the lap of luxury. These bamboo sheets are 100 percent organic viscose made from Bamboo and are fantastic for temperature regulation. The deep pockets can fit over a variety of mattress sizes, too, and will ultimately give the newlyweds a luxurious night’s sleep.

Cuisinart Elemental 11-Cup Food Processor

The Cuisinart Elemental 11-Cup Food Processor is a must-have wedding gift for any couple diving into kitchen adventures. This sleek stainless steel powerhouse makes meal prep a breeze, from chopping to slicing. It's the kind of practical gift that turns their kitchen into a fun and efficient culinary space, perfect for creating delicious meals together as they start this new chapter.

Dyson V8 Cordless Stick Vacuum

The V8 Cordless 2-in-1 Stick Vacuum is a practical wedding gift for those couples that always seem to have a spotless home. This high-performance vacuum offers the flexibility of a cordless design and versatile 2-in-1 functionality, making cleaning a breeze. As they embark on this new chapter, this vacuum is a high-tech way to simplify their household chores.

Best budget wedding gift ideas

Personalized Notecards by Papier

Give the gift of personalized elegance with any of these gorgeous notecards by Papier, who offer a wide assortment of designs that you can personalize with the newlywed’s name. They can then use these notecards when they’re writing their many thank you notes, or for any of their correspondence needs. These notecards feature classic, whimsical or more modern designs so you can tailor it to the couple’s personality (my personal favorite is the scallop notecard).

WÜSTHOF Gourmet 2-Piece Chef's Knife Set

No matter how beginner or advanced a couple’s cooking skills are, every kitchen needs a quality chef’s knife for the most basic functions. Whether it’s cutting up fruit and veggies or slicing meats, a gift like the WÜSTHOF Gourmet 2-Piece Chef's Knife Set ensures the couple has the most essential chopping and slicing needs covered. These knives include a lifetime warranty, too, so the happy couple will have plenty of use and enjoyment for years to come.

Love Lingual: Couple Card Game by FLUYTCO

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly gift for either a wedding or a shower, the Love Lingual Couple Card game may be a match made in heaven. The game includes thought-provoking questions for the couple to ask each other, which can lead to deep conversations and greater connection. No matter how well they think they know each other, this game encourages them to talk openly about a wide range of topics by answering one of 150 thoughtful questions.

How we selected the best wedding gifts

We looked at the latest trends for wedding gift-giving and created a list combining the latest and greatest with the tried and true. We selected wedding gifts based on a variety of budgets and shipment requirements. For this article I also relied on my own personal experience, having been married for several years and knowing what wedding gifts were most meaningful and stood the test of time for our household.

What to look for in a wedding gift

Consider these factors as you narrow down your choice for the couple:

Their wedding registry

If the couple has a wedding registry, then use that as a guide. You aren’t obligated to purchase a gift straight from the registry, but it can offer insight into their preferences and what they feel they need when starting out their married life.

Budget

Try to give thought to your budget beforehand, so you have a better idea of what to look for as you’re searching through the endless possibilities. There’s no set rule on how much you must spend on a gift, either: You should let your personal budget and the closeness to the friend or family member guide how much you spend.

A personal touch

Any time you can give a gift with a personal touch, it will make it even more meaningful for the newlyweds. Think of a connection you have with the couple and perhaps build on this—an example could be a framed menu from their favorite restaurant, a beautiful serving bowl because they love to cook together, or planting a tree in their name.

The wedding date

If you’re selecting a gift with a longer lead time, be sure to confirm the gift arrives either several days before the wedding or perhaps after the honeymoon. You can also take it with you to the wedding reception if you prefer.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How much should I spend on wedding gifts?

There’s no set amount anyone should plan on spending for a wedding gift, but you may choose to spend more if the couple is a close friend or family member. If you’re not particularly close to the couple then you may prefer to spend less, such as in the $50 range. Ultimately, it comes down to your budget and what you’re most comfortable with. There are numerous wonderful, meaningful wedding gifts you can give that fit within a variety of budgets: The Knot suggests between $50 to $75 for a friend or distant relative, but again, you’d normally prefer to spend more on a closer friend or family member.

What is considered a good wedding gift?

You can find a good wedding gift by first starting with the couple’s wedding registry, so you know you’re purchasing something they either need or desire. If they don’t have a wedding registry, try finding a gift that reflects the couple’s tastes or hobbies.

Is it okay to give money as a wedding gift?

It’s absolutely okay to give money as a wedding gift, as it can be a huge help for the couple just starting out. You may even see a form of money funds added to the couple’s wedding registry, which is another way a couple can let you know cash is appreciated.

What is the trend for wedding gifts?

Personalized wedding gifts seem to be a popular choice for couples now, from customized doormats to monogrammed towels. Couples are also requesting more experience-related gifts, such as gift cards or travel vouchers. There’s also an increased availability of sustainable wedding gifts, where couples can receive a gift that’s better for the planet, such as matching stainless steel reusable water bottles. best-wedding-gift-time-20