Ellie and Katie’s Go-to Wedding Gifts That Are Guaranteed to Please

wedding gifts

For the couple who seems to have everything.

ICYMI, Katie’s daughter Ellie got married this summer! She and Mark had a beautiful wedding full of family, friends, fun, and emotion. (Take it from the mother of the bride herself, who said she couldn’t stop crying.) While the family was recovering all that celebrating, we picked their brains about everything wedding-related. One surprisingly tough part — for the guests at least — is gift-giving. Sure, couples create registries, but that process is complicated. So, as a guest, impressing the couple with your gift isn’t always a piece of [wedding] cake. 

Wondering what to get a happy couple for their wedding? We recommend not going rogue — take a moment to check the registry first. The whole point of the registry is to help guests shop for gifts and take the guessing out of the process.

But a wedding registry can be daunting. Filled with gadgets and gizmos aplenty! We often find ourselves looking at registries and wondering, “they really want that?!” or “who would spend that much money on a coffee maker?!” Do you get them the beautiful ceramic vase they’ll use once a year or the less glamorous but totally practical vacuum you’ve been eyeing yourself? It’s tricky! But, our rule of thumb is, if you’d want it, chances are they’d want it, too!

But before you click “buy,” the other complicating factor is that not everything on their wedding registry is necessarily something they actually want. So, what do they actually want and need from that massive list of gifts? We perused Ellie’s wedding registry and consulted with the bride (and mother of the bride, of course) to compile 10 wedding gift ideas that are guaranteed to please. And cut down on returns, of course. 

Wedding Gift Ideas

1. Cooking Set

For a lot of couples, getting married is a great excuse to start acting more like adults — and that means learning to cook! Whether they’re experts in the kitchen or just learning the ropes, cooking together is a great way for any newlyweds to bond. Having great cookware can make cooking together much easier and less stressful, and Ellie’s got great taste — she asked for the Le Creuset Signature 5-Piece Cookware Set, which comes in a variety of fun colors and includes cast-iron pots and pans, and a dutch oven.

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2. Measuring Cups

What better way to compliment a new cookware set than with measuring cups that look like…another cookware set? Ellie registered for these highly polished stainless steel measuring cups from All-Clad , designed to look like smaller versions of the company’s saucepans. The ergonomic handles are an underrated feature that make a huge difference in the cooking process. These are sturdy enough to last for years.

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3. Cash Fund

Ellie wedding day

Ellie and Mark registered for two cash funds: “We did one for an African safari honeymoon and one for our home renovation,” she said. If the couple you’re celebrating is registered for one, this is a surefire way to make sure your gift is put to good use!

4. Electric Wine Opener

Getting married means popping bottles, and this electric opener makes enjoying a great vintage as easy as pressing a button. Your favorite couple will never have to worry about slicing their fingers on a dull foil cutter or breaking a cork again. Ellie registered for one from Rabbit.

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5. Cutting Board

This wooden chopping block from John Boos is a cooking necessity and beautiful piece of kitchen decor all in one. Pair it with the Boos Board Cream and Boos Mystery Oil to make it easy to maintain the block’s shine and seal.

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6. Carry-On Suitcase

What else would you want to do but travel after your beautiful wedding? Ellie and her groom are off on a magical safari, so it made perfect sense to pick some updated (and hefty) Samsonite carry-on spinners that look sleek on a plane but hold up in the well in the bush.

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7. Camera

HD cameras, especially action cameras like a GoPro, are amazing for capturing adventures and memories, which is why the GoPro made Ellie’s list. Not only can they be used at the wedding itself, for another perspective of the celebration, but they can create HD pictures of the happy couple, friends, and family that’ll last and last.

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8. Gift Cards

For the guest who wants to ensure that the couple loves their gift and has plenty of shopping options, gift cards are a fabulous choice. They range in price point, but always provide the folks getting married flexibility to pick out something that they’re sincerely thrilled about. Ellie registered for gift cards at Home Depot, West Elm, and more!

9. Decanter

A wine decanter is a must for any wine-loving couple. The purpose of these vessels is to enhance the wine’s flavor through aeration…but they also make any tablescape look so much more elegant, and can make an average bottle of wine seem like a rare vintage. If you’re going to register for a decanter, you might as well get the best, and there’s no brand more classic than Ellie’s pick, Waterford. We love this style because not only is it a work of art itself, you can use it to serve wine or to store and serve spirits like whiskey.

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10. Picture Frames

Aside from a camera, picture frames are a less-expensive way to support the memories and experiences of the married couple. After the wedding, they’ll have tons of snapshots to display in their home, and picture frames are a lovely daily reminder that you were there to celebrate with them. Ellie selected some fabulous statement frames from Mariposa, with beaded trim.

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