Wedding Season: Going Off Registry

Love is in the air! Wedding season is upon us – that time from early spring to early fall where it seems like your refrigerator is completely covered in Save the Dates. In fact, I just returned from San Diego where I was a bridesmaid for a good friend’s big day! (Congrats to Emily and Adrian!) This means beautiful new dresses, fabulous memories with my family and friends, and a huge to-do list of wedding present buying! There is always that question of “is it alright to buy off-registry?” and I say of course! I enjoy buying both from registries AND spoiling couples with something they might not be expecting.  When looking for gifts, I try to find unique items that I think the couple wouldn’t necessarily think to buy themselves. I have a couple go-to items that I’ve found to be well-received over the years. The great thing about these gifts is that you can find them in any price range!

Think about the bling.  Nothing kills newlywed bliss like someone losing his or her new ring! It took my husband a while to get used to wearing a ring, but even as a practiced jewelry wearer, I am sometimes guilty of forgetting my ring on the vanity! Gifting a beautiful tray and stylish ring box is a great way to help a couple avoid this particular situation.  I especially love antique-inspired ring boxes – there is just something romantic about them!

Table set for two.  Yes, dishes aren’t a ground breaking suggestion for a wedding gift.  However, couples often register for whole sets for everyday meals.  I love to gift a specialty set for two that can be used during special date nights, anniversaries, or anytime they have something big (or small) to celebrate together.  Since you are only setting the table for two, you can go big on the unique touches that make a gift like this so fun!

Make it personal. I love gifting personalized items, especially to new couples! One that I find especially meaningful for a newly married couple is a monogrammed pillow.  Not only does it look stunning in their living room or bedroom, but there is a certain thrill that comes with seeing your new, combined initials embroidered.

Keep it cozy. Sometimes simple is better.  After planning and throwing a wedding, there is nothing better than some rest and relaxation with your new spouse.  To enhance the snuggling experience, a luxurious throw and heavenly candle are necessities! These items are perfect to present in a cute bundle or basket and can be monogrammed for an extra personal touch!

Stylish stationary. Once the wedding is over, the bride and groom get to tackle the fun task of present and card opening, followed by the less fun task of thank you notes.  To assist in both, gifting a letter opening set is helpful when opening their new goodies, and makes for a beautiful addition to their desktop afterwards! I love using letter sets as décor – they are functional and pretty! To pair with the kit, a fabulous stationary set is a great way to give them a head start on thank you notes. 

If you take one thing from this, I hope it is to have fun with the gift buying process. In the end, the best thing you can give a to a newlywed couple is your support! I hope everyone has a lovely time this season enjoying the flowers, beauty, and love that comes with it.  

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