As much as we may dream about weddings, from our own to the ceremonies of others, the actual days leading up to said events can be a stressful shit-storm for everyone involved. Preparing for these momentous occasions is like chipping away at a Rubik’s cube — with gifts making up an entire side of the colorful puzzle. Whether you need to strategize your own registry or plot the perfect present for another couple, coming up with the right gifting material isn’t always a piece of [over-priced wedding] cake. So, to simplify the process, we went straight to the been-there-done-that hitched sources for their most experienced-giftee opinions.
We rounded up 18 wedding gifts that women not only received IRL but the ones they actually adored and still use to this day — tried-and-true registry classics that have stood the test of time AND wild-card guest surprises, too. We’ll save you one side of that wedding-prep Rubik’s cube struggle with the approved ideas ahead: there’s everything from first-class flight upgrades to unique ceramic dinnerware sets and even a fire-engine red fro-yo machine. Be sure to share the unwrapped favorites from your own big day in our form below for a chance to be featured in the story.
Submit your best wedding gifts, here.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Carry-On Suitcase Set
Jessica, 28
Gift Type: Registry
Why She Chose It: "Perfect for our honeymoon and all of our future travels!"
Away The Carry-On, Set of Two, $450, available at Away
First-Class Flight Upgrade
Jessica, 28
Gift Type: Surprise
Why She Loves It: "Our best man and his girlfriend surprised us with flight upgrades. Considering we flew to South Africa, it was such a thoughtful gift."
Photo: Getty Images.
Framed Wedding Invitation
Julia, 33
Gift Type: Surprise
Why She Loves It: "[Gifted by] my husband’s father’s cousins, which was very unexpected but it is truly my most cherished gift. It’s hanging in our bedroom and brings me joy every day when I look at it. "
R29 suggests Framebridge for professional framing services.
Ceramic Dinnerware Set
Carolyna, 31
Gift Type: Registry
Why She Chose It: "Love the minimalist design, mix-n-match nature of the sets, and the durability."
Heath Ceramics Issaquah Dinnerware Full Set, $144, available at Heath Ceramics
Cash
DG, 33
Gift Type: Surprise
Why She Loves It: "Multiple guests provided cash and it was great because we were so broke after the wedding!"
produced by Erin Yamagata; modeled by Khalea Underwood; photographed by Rachel Cabitt.
Cotton-Percale Sheet Set
Olivia, 31
Gift Type: Registry
Why She Chose It: "Because I sleep on them!"
John Robshaw Kama Gray Sheet Set (Queen), $295, available at John Robshaw
Diptyque Candle
Olivia, 31
Gift Type: Surprise
Why She Loves It: "[Gifted by] one of my best friends/bridesmaids — I love the candle and would never buy the large size for myself, but it’s a fun decorative piece and you can reuse the container as a vase or for kitchen tools."
Diptyque Baies Ceramic Indoor & Outdoor Candle (51.3 oz), $325, available at Diptyque
A Bottle Of Wine Every Month
Cara, 33
Gift Type: Surprise
Why She Loves It: "My bridal party chipped in and got us a 6-month wine club subscription. Each month we get a really nice bottle of wine which is a something we wouldn’t normally spend on ourselves. When they gifted it to me, they each wrote a note on a DIY wine glass-shaped card that said ‘cheers!’ the whole thing was so thoughtful."
Cellars Wine Club Bottle Club, $29, available at Cellars Wine Club
White Serving Bowls
Alison, 31
Gift Type: Registry
Why She Chose It: "It was part of set of all my plates. I like how simple they are and they work well for serving at parties."
Crate & Barrel Marin White Bowl, $6.36, available at Crate & Barrel
Ice Cream & Fro-Yo Machine
Alison, 31
Gift Type: Surprise
Why She Loves It: "[Gifted by] Mandy Mitchell, one of my best friends and a bridesmaid at my wedding — anyone who knows me knows I love ice cream."
Cuisinart Automatic Frozen Yogurt & Ice Cream Maker, $59.95, available at Walmart
Zola’s Airbnb Gift Card
Zoe, 29
Gift Type: Registry
Why She Chose it: "When you get cash for your wedding it’s easy to just throw it into your bank account and not bookmark it for the thing you actually wanted to use it for. With these Airbnb gift cards we were essentially forcing ourselves to use that money for a trip and now we associate that trip with the people who bought us the gifts."
Zola Honeymoon & Cash Funds, $50, available at Zola
Wedding Photo Book
Zoe, 29
Gift Type: Surprise
Why She Loves It: "My best friend and I got married in the same year and decided to get each other sentimental presents instead of trading expensive gifts. She asked our closest friends and family to send her pictures and stories about us and then created a photo book for us. Much more personal than a silverware set!"
Artifact Uprising Hardcover Photo Book, $59, available at Artifact Uprising
Sex-Toy Kit
Salky, 43
Gift Type: Surprise
Why She Loves It: "As we handed around the gifts for everyone to look at, as we had with all the other appropriate gifts, my then 80 year old father-in-law saw the piña colada flavored lube and took a big swig from the bottle. We had to pry the bottle out of his hand because he wanted more! He didn’t know it was lube."
Unbound The Kinkstarter Set, $122, available at Unbound
Champagne Glasses
Kristyn, 29
Gift Type: Registry
Why She Chose it: "There are a few different shapes/styles to choose from and I knew exactly what I wanted!"
Crate & Barrel Edge Champagne Glass, $10.36, available at Crate & Barrel
Smart Device Controller Hub
Kristyn, 29
Gift Type: Surprise
Why She Loves It: "[Gifted by] my old boss and now very good friend Eric—him and his wife knew I had an Alexa and knew I wanted to automate my home, but didn’t think I had the budget for it. This allows you to connect Alexa to other smart devices and it works great!!! Didn’t even know I needed it but now i use it every day!!!"
Logitech Harmony Hub, $69.98, available at Amazon
Wooden Serving Bowl
DG, 33
Gift Type: Registry
Why She Chose it: "My wife and I use it together weekly and it looks great in our kitchen."
Crate & Barrel Tondo 10.5" Bowl, $39.95, available at Crate & Barrel
Dutch Oven
Olivia, 26
Gift Type: Registry
Why She Chose it: "It was one of the few things from our registry that I would likely never buy for myself because of cost. I knew that it would be a beautiful piece that would stand the test of time—it still looks amazing three years later! Oh, and it’s also the best pot in the world."
Le Creuset Signature Round Dutch Oven, $150, available at Le Creuset
Stand Mixer
Olivia, 26
Gift Type: Surprise
Why She Loves It: "My mother-in-law bought it for us. She uses it all the time because she loves baking. I didn’t think I’d use it much but since receiving it I have seen how much easier it makes life in the kitchen! It’s also nice to be able to easily replicate some of her amazing desserts for myself!"
KitchenAid Classic Plus 4.5-Qt. Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, Silver, $199.99, available at Amazon
A Really Good Knife Set
Melissa, 39
Gift Type: Registry
Why She Loves It: "I got married (for the first time) in 2005 and this is one of the only items from the registry that I still own. Everything else I either gave away or who knows where it went. The J.A. Henckels knife set that I own is still sharp and I use them almost every day for cooking or just chopping up veggies. This is something I’ll have for life."
J.A. Henckels International Forged Premio 17 Piece Block Set, $135.74, available at Wayfair
Video Montage
Emily, 28
Gift Type: Surprise
Why She Loves It: "Probably the video montage my best friend made."
Splice Video Editor & Maker, $0.01, available at iTunesphotographed by Nina Westervelt.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Bobby Berk On His New Website, His Love Of Jones Bar-B-Q Sauce & Splurging On Bedding
4 People From Around The World On Keeping Up With KonMari Months Later
A Design Expert Solves Small-Space Renters’ Dilemmas
Source: Refinery29 – Elizabeth Buxton