10 Questions to Help You Choose a Unique Wedding Gift

10 Questions to Help You Choose a Wedding Gift That’s Unique, Personal, & In Your Budget

 

“You got a car as a wedding gift?! How extravagant!” 

 

“No, not a car… Part of a car. A cylinder head, actually.”

 

That’s how we imagine the conversation went after newlywed David Tracy told his friends about the gift he’d been given by his pals Andreas and Lori — a coveted VM Motori “425” engine cylinder head, artfully mounted to a custom-built stainless-steel stand. His friends had even engraved the part with a message: “May your marriage be even more everlasting and ‘krass’ as this engine.”

 

Is this the car-nerdiest gift ever? Yes! Is it also the perfect present for David and his partner? Also yes! 

 

As it turns out, David had restored a manual 1994 Chrysler Voyager back in 2020, which his pal Andreas had purchased for him at a bargain price. That project culminated in a once-in-a-lifetime road trip adventure through Europe.

 

(Read David’s full story in The Autopian here: I Just Received The Most German Wedding Gift Of All Time, Part Of A Car Engine)

 

Given their backstory, Andreas and Lori’s unique wedding gift not only demonstrates the depth of their individual friendships, but a deep love and support for David and his partner’s new adventure in marriage. It's thoughtful, fun, and personal. It reflects on past joys while welcoming future joys. It’s everything a wedding gift should be! 

 

Which leads us to this timely proclamation...

 

 

(Photo: Vasil Dimitrov / iStock)

 

 

Get creative with your gift giving in 2025! 

 

A thoughtful gift can leave a lasting impression — something personal, creative, and tailored to the newlyweds’ tastes. And with everything else going on in the world, doesn’t it feel good to spread a little love? 

 

There are TWO big caveats here of course: 

 

• For some people, cash is king. Some friends will always prefer an envelope of cash or a gift card so they can shop for themselves and buy what they need. This makes cash the most thoughtful gift you can give those friends! If cash feels a little impersonal, pair it with a thoughtful card or a handwritten note.

 

• If there’s a wedding registry, use it. If the couple has put time and effort into creating a wedding registry, they’ve done the work for you! The best wedding gifts in this case will be something they’ve asked for. If you have a second gift in mind that’s not on the registry, you can bring that too. 

 

But in all other gift-giving scenarios, put some thought into it and get creative! Colored wine glasses and serving trays can be good wedding gifts for the right couple, but for others, these items will just be clutter at the back of a cabinet a week after the wedding. 

 

The 10 questions below will help you choose a creative gift for your loved ones — something they’ll remember for a lifetime. If you can’t answer some (or most) of these questions, don’t panic. Just choose one question that resonates with you, and go from there! 

 

A note on group wedding gifts: 

 

If the perfect wedding present is out of your price range, consider giving a group gift with others in your circle. Group gift-giving is a great way to purchase meaningful big-ticket items without going over budget, and puts luxury items in reach – a comfy new couch, a home speaker system, scuba diving lessons, or a romantic winery tour in Napa.

 

 

(Photo: AscentXmedia / iStock)

 

 

Stuck on Wedding Gift Ideas? 

Answer These 10 Questions to Choose Unique & Meaningful Wedding Gifts

 

1. What’s your budget? 

 

Start here! Sometimes the desire to give the perfect gift can lead to overspending, but it's never a bad idea to stick with something you can reasonably afford. According to Zola, the average amount spent on a wedding gift is around $100 to $200 (double that if you get a plus-one to the wedding).

 

But the sentiment is more important than the price tag; if you’re on a tight budget, then handmade gifts, baked goods, and meaningful experiences are wonderful options. You can also offer services as gifts, such as pet-sitting over the honeymoon, childcare on date nights, etc. 

 

How much to spend on a wedding gift?

 

According to Zola, most wedding guests spend around $100 to $200 on a gift (double that if you get a plus-one to the wedding). How much you spend usually depends on how well you know the couple: Spend less for distant relatives and coworkers, more for close friends and immediate family members. But respect your budget!  

 

 

2. How does the couple spend quality time together? 

 

Think about your loved ones’ perfect weekend — are they always working on a home improvement project, escaping on day trips to the coast, debating which new restaurant or club to visit, or curling up together to watch movies? Have they been talking about visiting a winery, taking dance lessons together, or signing up for a cooking class? Gifts that help them spend more quality time together are always a great idea! 

 

Wondering what to get for a wedding gift? Consider your budget, how well you know the couple, and how they spend quality time together. What hobbies and passions do they share? Are there any cultural traditions to consider? (Photo: shironosov / iStock) )

 

 

3. What are your loved ones’ personality traits?

 

Are your loved ones more introverted or extroverted? Sentimental or practical? Adventurous or meticulous? Couples can definitely be harder to shop for than individuals in this regard (opposites attract!), but consider your loved ones’ overall energy and what makes them smile. Playful and offbeat couples might love a 12 foot skeleton as a gift for example (like this Reddit user), while practical friends might love an air fryer or a new set of dishware. 

 

 

4. What are their values and beliefs? 

 

What do your loved ones’ value most? What causes and charities are most important to them? Are they spiritual, family-oriented, or environmentally-focused? For loved ones who value causes over possessions, consider socially conscious wedding gifts such as a charitable donation in their name; family passes to a theme park; meditation classes; or membership to a local food co-op.  

 

 

5. What do they love? (Besides each other!) 

 

What are your friends’ shared hobbies and passions? Do they love music, art, wine, history, literature? Are they both passionate about model trains, DnD, baseball or football, photography, or gaming? Give a gift that fuels their passions and keeps them inspired during their first year of marriage! 

 

For example: A framed map of Faerûn or custom 20 sided dice make fun DnD wedding gifts (suggested by this Reddit user), and an engraved cast iron pan is perfect for couples who cook. A custom painting of the couple with their pup is a sweet wedding present for dog lovers, and a monthly coffee subscription or personalized espresso tamper make unique wedding presents for coffee lovers. You get the idea! 

 

Related: The Best Anniversary Gift for Any Year, Whether It’s Your 1st or 50th

 

 

6. Will their wedding day be traditional or modern? 

 

Are your loved ones planning a traditional wedding or something more unconventional, like an adventure elopement or microwedding in a graveyard? This can tell you a lot about what they might appreciate receiving! Traditional gifts like champagne flutes, cashmere sheets, and luggage sets might be the best choice for traditional couples, while more unique wedding gifts like LEGO sets or a custom painting could be a great fit for nontraditional couples.

 

 

7. Have they mentioned wanting something, but haven’t gotten around to buying yet?

 

Is there something they've been talking about purchasing for a while, but haven’t pulled the trigger on? Maybe something out of their price range as newlyweds? This could be something fun, like a gaming console or home projector; something practical, like a stand mixer for baking or a new set of tools; or even something quirky, like matching lightsabers or a medical school skeleton (like the one this newlywed asked for).

 

 

8. Do they splurge on experiences or physical items for themselves? 

 

When your loved ones’ splurge on something, is it a vacation, or clothing? A class, or a piece of antique furniture? A meal, or a new collectible? An experience, or something tangible? This can give you some insight into what they’d like to receive!

 

Couples who splurge on experiences will appreciate ‘experience gifts’ that help them create new memories as a married couple, like a hot air balloon ride, a food tour, museum memberships, a family photo shoot, or ballet tickets. Couples who splurge on physical items will enjoy gifts that make their every-day life as newlyweds feel luxurious, like a towel warmer, plush personalized towels or robes, a pewter flatware set, a couple’s self-care gift box, or a high-end vacuum cleaner. 

 

 

In some cultures, a cash wedding gift is expected! In these cases, a thoughtful presentation matters - a decorative envelope, handwritten card, or heartfelt note can make cash gifts feel personal. (Photo: tylim / iStock)

 

 

9. Are there any cultural considerations? 

 

Do your loved ones take pride in their culture or cultures? You may want to consider culturally meaningful or traditional wedding present ideas! For example, red envelopes with money are a traditional Chinese wedding gift, and cash is also a traditional wedding present in Germany, India, Greece, and Ireland! A wooden wedding chest (called a cassapanca) is a traditional Italian wedding gift, while a beautifully carved ʻUmeke is a traditional Hawaiian wedding gift. Or consider personalized luxury chopsticks, handcrafted textiles and quilts, and other meaningful gifts.  

 

 

10. Do they have a wedding officiant? 

 

Last but definitely not least, do your friends have a wedding officiant picked out? If not, let them know you would be honored to do the job. Officiating a friend’s wedding is one of the most generous and thoughtful gifts you can give! It's one of the most meaningful ways to show your love and support for their new marriage.

 

(But don't take it personally if they have another officiant in mind -- you can offer to help out with wedding planning in lots of other ways to show you care!)

|* mop-button *|

 

Saying YES to officiating a friend's wedding or helping them prepare for the big day in other special ways are some of the most meaningful gifts you can give. (Photo: jacoblund / iStock)

 

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More Wedding Guest Ideas & Advice

 

• 5 Ways to Help an Engaged Friend Get Ready for the Wedding Day
   
• 7 Ultimate Engagement Gifts To Make a Couple’s Wedding Planning a Breeze
   
• My Friends Asked Me to Officiate their Wedding - What Should I Do?!
   
• 5 Jewish Wedding Traditions & What to Expect, for Couples, Officiants, & Guests

 

Learn about 5 Jewish wedding traditions you might see at the ceremony. Click the link above to read the article!  Photo: CREATISTA / iStock
 

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