We all love presents, right?! But we also understand that planning a wedding gift list can get a little overwhelming with so many options to choose from. Should you request luxurious homeware items, modern appliances, unforgettable experiences – or a combination of all three?
To help you narrow down the choices, our wonderful Sponsor, The Wedding Shop, is taking over the blog this afternoon. As a fee-free, multi-retailer gift list provider, these guys are experts when it comes to helping brides and grooms select their precious presents.
Couples can choose to build their wish list online, or alternatively within one of The Wedding Shop’s beautiful showrooms, including their recently launched Edinburgh store, as well as stores in London and Dublin.
To help get the present planning underway the team are sharing their gift list dos and don’ts followed by a speculative edit of what could be found on the hottest celebrity couples’ wedding wish lists this year to inspire your choices…
do
Plan ahead and notify guests:
- Guests will want to buy you something to mark your special day, so a gift list helps guide them in the right direction and takes the stress and worry out of buying that ‘perfect gift.’
- We recommend setting up your list before your wedding invitations go out so that you can include list notification cards with your invite
- Some guests will be very quick off the mark to look for your list once they receive their invitations so it’s best to have it all completed
Give guests plenty of choice:
- Create a list that is slightly bigger than you would expect to receive. Guests like to be inspired and have a large choice of gifts to choose from.
- Vary the price points; it’s important to include a good range of price points to allow for every guest’s budget.
- If there is a really special item that’s a little bit more expensive, why not ask your guests to contribute to it?
- Don’t forget some guests will be more traditional in what they want to buy you make sure you have options for all types of guests.
Get the groom involved:
- The groom should also be just as involved in creating a gift list
- We are seeing that men are starting to taking a much more active interest in ensuring the list reflects their personal preferences as much as the bride’s!
- Especially with gadgets and technology products that are generally more interesting to guys
Enjoy the experience
Most importantly have fun! These are gifts that you will enjoy and treasure during your married life together, so it should be a fun and exciting process that you should enjoy doing together.
don’t
Forget to think to the future:
- Take time before compiling your list to decide exactly what you need, what you would really love, and what would be useful to have in the future
- Always be mindful that your needs will most likely grow throughout your married life (e.g. A dinner service for four people may be sufficient at the moment but may not in years to come when entertaining extended family and friends)
Forget to make it personal:
- A gift list is a really good opportunity to choose items that will enhance and suit your lifestyle
- If you have certain hobbies that you both love, make sure you add items that will help you continue to enjoy your hobbies
- Guests will enjoy buying you gifts that they know are more fun and personal to you
Worry about asking for monetary contributions:
- If you already think you have all the ‘stuff’ you could possibly fit into your house, then don’t be afraid to ask for cash contributions – it is now become more popular and you shouldn’t be worried to offend guests
- This could be for home improvements, honeymoon contributions, or landscaping the garden
- Don’t just have cash only on your list – remember to give guests plenty of choice!
celebrity gift lists
From Hollywood starlets and pop princesses, to the cream of British society, The Wedding Shop predicts what would be on some top celebrity couples’ gift lists, to inspire you to shop A-List style…
The Hollywood couple: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley & Jason Statham
Believed to be planning to marry this summer, the LA-based British model and her action-hero fiancé are reported to enjoy fast cars, long walks with their beloved Daschunds and cocktails by the pool:
- Vogue The Covers by Hamish Bowles, £35 – After gracing her first Vogue cover aged 21, Rosie may enjoy looking back at her shared history alongside fellow modelling greats.
- Jonathan Adler Bar Cart, £1,450 – A sleek and glamorous drinks trolley, ideal for wheeling out the Martinis pool-side.
- Samsonite Liote-Cube DLX Aluminum Suitcase, £429 – Sturdy with stylish metallic and leather finishes, this lightweight deluxe suitcase should serve the globe-trotting couple well.
- Erik Magnussen Metallic Vacuum Jug, £129 – Perfect for keeping cocktails cool in LA or preserving Hot Toddies at Rosie’s Devonshire home.
- Drive Italy’s Amalfi Coast for two by Maserati Granturismo by Truly Experiences, £3,375 – With a penchant for gleaming supercars the couple might enjoy navigating one of Europe’s most fashionable coastlines.
- Dachshund Dog Ornament by The House, £43 – A fitting tribute to Rosie’s pet pooches, Peggy and Dolly.
The WAG wedding: Gareth Bale & Emma Rhys Jones
Despite achieving untold fame and fortune, footballer star Gareth Bale has hung on to his Welsh roots and plans to marry his childhood sweetheart in the Vale of Glamorgan this August. The Wedding Shop predict their gift list will have a ‘country house feel’ featuring rustic elements and traditional aesthetic:
- Astaire Floor Lamp by Pooky, £265 – Classic yet contemporary, this magnificent brass lamp will add warmth and cosiness to any home.
- Ralph Lauren Home Player Red Rose Towels, from £8.50 – A true Welsh ‘Red’, these Eqyptian cotton towels would be a luxurious addition to Gareth’s kit bag.
- Multiple Aperture Photograph Frames by The White Company, from £100 – For a stylish display of their precious family snaps.
- Nest of three Dachshund stacked bowls by Fenella Smith, £55, Rolling Pin by Victor Castware. £19, Burleigh Dinner Plate, £15 – A fan of classic traditional home cooking (corn beef hash and simple egg and chips are reportedly Gareth’s favourite foods) this classic marble rolling pin, dinner plate and practical bowl nest would make thoughtful and useful gifts.
Dive In: Tom Daly & Dustin Lance Black
Contemporary and clean living, we imagine this Olympic athlete and his Oscar winning partner would appreciate these stylish additions to their East London home:
- Traditional Cast Iron Range in flint by Le Creuset, from £10 – A keen cook, this classic and reliable range would make a great gift for Tom.
- Superfood nutrition extractor by Nutribullet, £99.95 – Nourish body and mind with superfood smoothies for the super-fit athlete.
- Chopping Board Set by Joseph Joseph, £75 – Modern and masculine, this set would suit the well-organised kitchen.
- Photography Classes Fund, From £10 – Nurture their shared love of photography with a couple’s photography class.
- Pair of old fashioned tumblers by Iittala, £29 – A pair of old fashioned glasses for the sophisticated gents.
- Fluted contrast mugs by Royal Copenhagen, £20 – Add a pop of colour to their kitchen with these striking mugs.
Pop princess: Miley Cyrus & Liam Hemsworth
These fun, bright and downright kooky items are perfect for the young, beautiful couple, who don’t take life too seriously:
- Hot Lips Ornament by Kosta Boda, £45 – Outrageously bold we think the fun-loving pair would love these hot pink lips.
- Alessi Love Spoon, £19.80 – Liam loves Vegemite so much so, that Miley dedicated a tattoo to the condiment. What better way to celebrate their dedication than with a dedicated silver spoon?
- Aqua Jug by Bobble Jug, £79 – Like Miley these are bright, colourful and perfect at parties.
- Monkey Lamp by Seletti, £230 – A swinging monkey for the wrecking-ball-swinging pop star.
- Camel Dinnerware by Alice Peto. From £14 – Cute and fun, just like the couple themselves.
- Surfing lesson for two fund, from £50 – A keen surfer we’re sure Liam would enjoy this bonding time with his free-spirited beau.
Sporting star: Serena Williams & Alexis Ohanian
Stylish and successful, The Wedding Shop’s gift list suggestions for the world’s number one tennis player and her online entrepreneur fiancé celebrates their individual achievements and love of the latest technology:
- Tennis Ball Paperweight by Culinary Concepts, £26.95 – A sentimental nod to Serena’s tennis success.
- Vase by Ittila, £125 – Where better to display her many competition-winning bouquets?
- Dyson Link Tower Fan, £449.99 – Perfect for keeping this uber-stylish couple cool in their Palm Beach condo.
- Sonos Wireless Speaker, £199. For when their pals Beyonce and Jay Z aren’t around to entertain acapella!
- Vitamix Blender, £499 – Set up the world champion and tech mogul for the day, with superfood smoothies to feed body and mind.
Kettle by Stelton, £139.00 – Sleek and strong we think Serena would love this minimalist set by Stelton.
