Got all the pots and pans you need? Try these modern gift list options…

High street options

High street gift lists are still among the most popular. Most major stores like John Lewis, Debenhams and House of Fraser provide this service and it’s so much fun walking around the shops with your very own scanner, beeping the items you want! As part of the service, the department store will manage the list for you and send you a list detailing who bought what after the big day so you can send out your thank you cards.

Charity gift lists

One of our favourite options is giving to charity. If you already have everything you need, why not help a worthy cause? William and Kate chose this option, and you could follow in their royal footsteps. Cancer Research, for example, have their giveincelebration website where your guests can make much-needed donations.

Online gift lists

Perfect if you’re a busy couple with no time for strolling around the shops. Prezola, My List Is Here and Our Wishing Well are some of the most famous online gift list sites. You just send them a list of the items you’d like and they’ll set up the list for you. It saves your guests time, too, as they can browse your choices online rather than making a special trip to the store.

Honeymoon help

Another popular option is to ask for help towards the honeymoon. We love websites like Buy Our Honeymoon, that enable guests to buy a particular activity for you to try while you’re away – it could be anything from snorkelling to a dinner cruise.

Mix and match

If you want to mix and match presents on your gift list, why not use a website like the Bottom Drawer. They enable you to collate a personalised list, made up of gifts from high street stores like John Lewis plus more unusual options. One couple chose a garden makeover where each guest purchased a square metre of the garden and bought plants to fill that space.

Top tips

When planning a gift list, start at least three months before the wedding so there’s plenty of time for ordering and delivery. Also, don’t just think about the here and now. What type of items will you be using in the future? Do you want to use your gift list as an opportunity to aquire your ‘best’ items to bring out at dinner parties? Make sure, also, that you include items across a range of budgets so that guests with limited funds don’t feel left out. People will want to buy you a gift, so make it as easy for them as possible.

Anniversary gift planner

After the wedding, look forward to more amazing presents on each anniversary. Here’s a short guide on what to buy when…

1 year Paper
2 years Cotton
3 years Leather
4 years Flowers
5 years Wood
10 years Aluminum
20 years China
30 years Pearl
40 years Ruby
50 years Golden

The post Modern Gift List Ideas appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

Brenda from Zankyou reveals the modern way to choose your wedding gift list…

Myself and my fiancé will be tying the knot at the end of August this year, it will be the second time around for both of us and of course it has been a long time since we each organized a wedding. Things are so much different now to all those years ago, but most of all we have found that when it comes to wedding gift lists, people now ask what you would like! ‘Is there something specific? Would you like money?’ they ask! Long gone are the days of knives and toasters… now there’s a new wedding gift list etiquette to get your head around.

So how does it work these days? Well, most brides and grooms have already set up home long before they get married so no need for the more traditional presents and whilst money makes a great gift giving the bride and groom more freedom, it can be awkward to ask for, especially in these recessionary times.

Thankfully though, there are alternatives. The advent of an online wedding gift list like Zankyou mean couples can create their own personal wedding gift list unique to them. There are no limits to what you can list, from honeymoons and electrical goods to activities and charitable donations, You want it? You list it. Zankyou then transfers the funds contributed to your list to your personal bank account, giving you the freedom to list any gift you want and to use the money as you wish and all the while making life a lot easier for your guests.

Choosing your gift list is easy with Zankyou!

Probably the most popular use of the online wedding list by couples is to fund their honeymoons. Whether you are traveling independently or with a travel agency websites like Zankyou allow you to set up a virtual travel guide to the various parts of your honeymoon so your guest can make contributions towards your honeymoon, including flights, accommodation, tours and entrance to attractions. You then receive the contributions in your bank account and use the money before you go, while you are away or when you come back. Wherever you go in the world, you can register your honeymoon on a map and share your experiences with your guests.

The brilliant thing is, the wedding list is only part of the whole service, couples can now easily create their own free wedding website again unique to them and their wedding.

With the world being a much smaller place these days and with so much migration and emigration a lot of weddings now involve couples from different countries or different sides of the world. A wedding website can make the process so much easier and less daunting for the Bride and Groom and their family and friends from overseas.

A personalized website allows the couple to share details about their big day from photographs, maps and schedules to venue details and accommodation. Being able to put your wedding itinerary online makes life easier for everyone ensuring the couple doesn’t spend the morning of the wedding trying to organize their guests to the church or wedding venue and at the same time making your guests feel a little bit more involved in your big day.

The post Modern Wedding Gift List Ideas appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

With 6-4 months left on your wedding checklist, all the big things should now have been taken care of. Now it’s time to focus on the finer details.

Favours

Wedding favours are given to guests as a thank you for attending the wedding. Traditionally, five sugared almonds would be given in a small organza bag representing fertility, longevity, health, wealth and happiness. Many brides still choose this traditional option today but there are literally hundreds of alternatives to suit every budget and theme.

Judging by our real weddings, miniature bottles of alcohol, seeds and plants, and personalised cookies and biscuits are the most popular gifts right now. These can either be bought or made, depending on the amount of time you have. Making your own favours shouldn’t be a last-minute decision. If you’re going to DIY any part of your wedding, you need to plan it well in advance to give you time to practise and perfect your design. Think about how much you’re willing to spend on test items – DIY isn’t always the cheapest option. If you’re not a crafty bride, don’t worry, you can still give your guests unique wedding favours. Carefully chosen and personalised shop-bought items can be just as effective.

Remember that favours can also double up as place cards if you personalise them with each guest’s name. Use some coloured card and a heart-shaped hole punch to create your own tags. Alternatively old-fashioned luggage tags tied with brown string look authentic if you’re planning a vintage-inspired day.

Our top three tips for favours would be…

1. Think about time – if you want to create something bespoke, set aside time to get it right.
2.  Use your wedding cake – If budget is tight, buy some little boxes to match your colour scheme and ask your caterer to divide the cake into these so guests have a take-home treat.
3. Hand them around yourself – that way, they are less likely to be left at the end of the night and it also gives you the chance to thank each guest individually. This would be a nice thing for you and your new husband to do while the guests are eating dessert.

Gift list

Your guests will want to buy you a present to celebrate your special day, but what do you want? For many modern couples, the answer will be cash but how you say that? The short answer is, you don’t. Instead, you get your army of friends and family to tell guests via word of mouth about your preference, if and when they’re asked. Alternatively, we would suggest thinking of something you REALLY want, and ask guests to contribute towards that. A dream honeymoon, for example.

Honeymoon contributions are a brilliant idea for the couple who has everything. Sites like Buy our honeymoon enable guests to buy certain experiences for the couple while they’re away, from a private candlelit dinner on the beach to swimming with dolphins.

Or what about a new kitchen or bathroom? Some gift list websites enable guests to buy vouchers for popular high street stores. If you are given a lot of vouchers, though, do remember to check the ‘use by’ date so people’s contributions don’t get wasted.

Asking guests to donate money to a chosen charity is also a nice idea, especially if you have a personal link with a particular cause.

Have you asked for cash instead of a traditional gift? If so, how have you worded it in your invitations? Tell us now on our forums.

Shoes

They may not be on show as much as your other accessories but your bridal shoes are a key part of your wedding day look. These aren’t just any old shoes – they have to be multi-tasking. First of all, they have to be the right height. You need to feel confident when you’re walking down that aisle, so if you never wear super high heels, don’t start now. If you want height minus that wobbly feeling, go for wedged or thicker heels. Thin stiletto heels are the hardest to walk in and can get easily caught in uneven ground.

Secondly, you need to decide whether you’re going to complement or contrast. Complementary shoes will be a similar colour to your gown and probably be made of satin. They will also feature similar details to those in your dress, like lace, pearls or diamante. Contrasting shoes on the other hand make for fabulously fun photos and give your guests – and your groom – a big surprise! Bold coloured shoes are the perfect statement accessories but we would still suggest choosing them in a ‘bridal’ fabric like satin. Aruna Seth are the experts at creating coloured bridal shoes. Their Faralla design is a favourite of real brides and celebrities alike. For a more budget-friendly option try Rainbow Club’s dyeing service. Their Colour Studio can match any shade you care to think of.

Finally, you need to think about your venue and the time of year. Summer brides may be better with strappy sandals so their feet don’t swell up in restrictive courts. Winter brides may look for more security – shoes with straps perhaps? Or even a pair of back-up shoes – ivory wellington boots, for example, are pretty and practical to wear during outdoor photos. Are you getting married abroad? Then sparkly flip flops should be top of your list. Struggling across sand in high heels is never a good look.

And if you do choose the flip flop option, a pedicure is an absolute must.

Choose wedding rings

Six months before the big day you should also be thinking about your wedding rings. The most important things to consider are budget, durability, colour and sentiment.

Hopefully, you will be wearing these rings for the rest of your lives. Therefore, it’s worth allocating a good slice of your budget towards them. Platinum is one of the most popular choices for wedding rings because of its hardness, rarity and beautiful appearance. For those who want the characteristics of platinum without the price tag, Palladium is a great choice. Granted its own hallmark in 2010, Palladium is more hard wearing than white gold but softer than platinum pushing it into a less expensive price bracket.

Grooms now have more choice than ever before when it comes to wedding rings. If your man is looking for something a little bit different, why not choose the lightweight Titanium or striking black zirconium? You can even have wood laid into precious metals nowadays.

Whichever type of ring you choose, consider having a special message or your wedding date inscribed inside, to make them even more personal to you.

For more top tips about choosing the perfect wedding ring here.

Honeymoon clothes and vaccinations

The honeymoon may seem like a long way off but you need to start thinking about honeymoon destinations, and potentially, vaccinations. Ask your doctor if your chosen country requires you to have any injections and if so, get these arranged as soon as possible. You don’t want a nasty reaction close to the wedding.

Also think about what clothes you’re going to need and ask a member of the family to take your luggage to the reception venue if you’re leaving for honeymoon straight after the party.

The post Wedding checklist part 3 – Planning with 6 to 4 months left appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

Today we’ve asked our real brides to share with us some of the fab bridesmaid gift ideas they gave to say a great big thank you to their helpers.

Popular gifts

The most popular wedding gift idea for brides to give their bridesmaids is of course their bridesmaid dresses and jewellery – this is particularly special if you want all you girls to look the same. Our Details Editor Sophie says: “I gave my three girls their navy bridesmaids dresses from Coast, which they wore on the day, and also gift wrapped their jewellery which I gave to them on the morning of the wedding. It’s a really special part of the day where you can all relax together before the madness begins!”

Another very popular bridesmaid gift idea (that’s win win for all!) is a day at the spa. After all the stresses of wedding planning, we strongly suggest you take the week off before the wedding to completely chill out and relax. Two days before the wedding is NOT the time to be doing last minute shopping, so make sure you have everything done and dusted with time to spare. Why not use that week off for some pampering with your best girls – treat them to a spa day and you’ll all be fresh-faced and relaxed come the wedding morning. Real bride Liz did just that; “I took my bridesmaids to a local spa the day before the wedding we had mini-facials as well as our nails done – it was the perfect time to drink a glass of Champagne and get excited together about the following day!”

Keep the little ones entertained

“We had lots of little ones at our wedding who all sat on their own table for the wedding breakfast,” explains Rachel. “We bought a children’s puppet theatre and lots of little finger puppets based on the story Little Red Riding Hood and left it on their table. Within minutes all the kids had settled down and were re-enacting the story with the puppets – giving their parents some well needed peace and quiet,” she laughs.

Similarly, you may only be having young children or flower girls accompany you down the aisle, so will need to consider a gift appropriate to their age. For little girls we love Build A Bear – they can create their own stuffed toy – complete with adorable wedding outfits to match their own! Little boys of course love cars, a remote controlled car would be a great idea, especially if your reception venue has a big garden where they can play safely to their hearts content – without driving over Grannies toes or knocking over a glass of wine!

Personalised bridesmaid gift ideas

“I made my bridesmaids a really unique ‘photo-book’ using VistaPrint. There were photos of our time growing up, and our friendship together, as well as some truly fabulous shots from my incredible burlesque themed hen-party which they organised,” says Zoe.

Another really lovely idea would be to buy your bridesmaids something personalised – either with their name on or with your wedding date engraved. These are much more permanent gifts that will be remembered long after the wedding. A great idea would be to frame a cherished photo of you with that person, and have the wedding date or a special message engraved  to the frame.

What are your bridesmaid gift ideas?

We always love to hear from you! x

The post Bridesmaid gift ideas – Amazing suggestions from our real brides appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

Shelley Green shares with us her favourite honeymoon gift ideas for your dream romantic trip…

Personal honeymoon gift ideas that are special to you

You don’t have to be joined at the hip — but your honeymoon is all about you and your partner, so have your activities reflect your interests and personality. For music lovers, how about an evening jazz cruise along the Mississippi? Or for art fans, perhaps a trip to the Hermitage in St. Petersburg? Or if you’re adventurers, maybe take a jungle trek in Borneo. Express your shared passion!

 Getting from A to B

These are the very practical honeymoon gift ideas that get you where you need to go, but they don’t have to be dull. Travel by Tuk Tuk in Cambodia, ride the Transiberian Railway or let a SatNav be your guide as you venture through Death Valley.

 Gotta love a lover

This will be the most romantic holiday of your life, so indulge in all those gooey moments.  Relax with a candlelit dinner in a tratoria in Rome,  enjoy safari sundowners on the veranda in Tanzania, go on a lakeside picnic in the Alps.  These are the moments you   will always remember.

 Once-in-a-lifetime treats

It is your honeymoon after all, so why not splash out on those things you’ve always wanted to do?  A sunrise balloon flight across the Serengeti, a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon, chartering a yacht and sailing away.  Honeymoon gift ideas that will create memories to last a lifetime.

Wild and crazy days

For those adrenaline junkies who love a bit of danger, you could go bungee jumping, water skiing, or parasailing — or even dive with sharks!   You always knew your heart would be pounding on your honeymoon, but maybe you didn’t expect it to be like this!

Wild and crazy nights

Cocktails galore and dancing the night away. This is your time to be free and enjoy all your moments together as a newly-married couple.  Drink cosmopolitans in New York,  vodka in Moscow or a pint of Guinness in Dublin. Samba in Rio, salsa in Havana, or dance on a table anywhere!

Local culture

If you can drag yourself away from your resort there is a whole world to see. Tour the ruins, shop at the markets (don’t forget to haggle!) and get to know the local people.  You’ll get much more of a flavour of the ‘real’ place you are visiting!

The height of luxury

Now’s the time to indulge yourself!  Sip Champagne in the best restaurants,  hire a limousine transfer to your hotel, check out the VIP lounge at the airport — maybe even fly first class!  If you can’t spoil yourself on your honeymoon when can you?

Pampering

After all the stress of wedding planning, this is the time to relax and unwind.  Maybe you could convince your other half to join you in a couples’ massage,  or be served dinner on the beach by your own private butler in the Maldives.

Charity

Even though it’s your honeymoon, you can make it be about other people too.  Give a little back to the local area you are visiting.  Help build a school or spend some time working together at an orphanage. Donate clothes, books, toys and share some of your happiness with others.

Our thanks to Shelley Green from Buy Our Honeymoon

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Add a Kuoni honeymoon to your John Lewis wedding gift list…

John Lewis have teamed up with leading travel company Kuoni to allow couples to add a fabulous honeymoon to their John Lewis Gift list, meaning their guests can contribute to their holiday away.

“Kuoni are well-known for crafting memorable honeymoons for couples,” says Kuoni MD, Derek Jones.

“We have been doing this since we opened for business back in 1964. We frequently meet people who still thank us for getting their married lives off to a magical start. Now, we look forward to creating that special time together for couples who wish to have friends and family contribute towards their honeymoon”, adds Derek.

Would you use this service to ask your guests to contribute to your honeymoon fund?

The post High street store John Lewis has teamed up with honeymoon specialists Kuoni appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

High street favourites John Lewis scooped the Wedding Ideas Award for Best Wedding Gift List Service again in 2013.

“It’s amazing to win this Wedding Ideas Award yet again,” says Vanessa Besant from John Lewis. “We updated our systems in 2012, providing a more efficient service for our gift list holders and we have moved the gift list administration service into our call centre, so we can offer a more consistent level of service to our customers.”

This year, John Lewis have made registering a gift list even easier! Couples can order in store, online or over the phone and are then given a unique list number. Then their friends and family can pick the products on the gift list and the couple are constantly updated by the company’s administrations team on the progress of their list.

John Lewis also keep couples up to date with special offers and promotions, to make sure they get the most from their service. They also offer charity donations to Cancer Research so couples who don’t need household items can help a worthwhile cause instead.

“John Lewis has years of experience helping couples create a perfectly unique and memorable day,” adds Vanessa. “We’ve been voted the number one store for giving good customer service and provide excellent value for money and products at affordable prices.” And we couldn’t agree more! A big well done from us!

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When you’ve got everything you need, how are you meant to compile a wedding gift list? Anti-poverty organisation ActionAid provides couples with an alternative option for their wedding gift list – the option to donate money to charity. We take a look at three selfless couples who decided to use their big day to help such a worthy cause.

Carol and Matt

Carol and Matt Pennigton got married on 1st September 2012 after being engaged for a year. The proposal happened on Bonfire Night in front of an incredible fireworks display. Magical!

The wedding was held in a small chantry chapel and Carol described her big day as ‘perfect’. The most moving part of the ceremony, for her, was when they said their vows and made their commitment to each other.

Carol has supported ActionAid since the loss of her first husband, when she raised money and visited Peru with the charity. She has been a supporter ever since. Both Carol and Matt already had everything they needed so they decided to let their guests donate to ActionAid.

Fiona and Rob

Fiona and Rob Harrand were married in July 2012 and had an intimate wedding at the picturesque location of Castiglione del Lago, Italy. The most memorable part of the day for Rob was seeing Fiona walk down the aisle.

“We’ve done the whole buying toasters and tea towels thing already,” says Rob. “Plus, we asked people to travel to Italy for our big day, so we decided to ask our guests to donate to charity, instead of buying us traditional gifts. We came away with a good feeling, had an amazing day and managed to raise money for charity.”

Vanda and Steve

Vanda and her husband Steve wanted to have a wedding that felt like a festival. When they got married on June 3rd 2012, rather than hiring a standard wedding venue, they held their wedding at a local mill and spent the morning with their friends and families decorating it in bright colours and lights.

“It made the day last much longer and felt more personal to have everyone involved,” says Steve. “We decided to donate money to ActionAid as an alternative wedding gift because we already had much of what we needed. It’s such a positive thing to do, and we feel great that someone less fortunate will benefit from our happiness.”

Find out more

To find out more or to sign up to the alternative wedding gift list, visit www.actionaid.org.uk/weddings or call 02031220508

The post What gifts should you ask for when you already have everything you need? appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

When you ask your girlfriends to be your bridesmaids, you’re also asking them to take on quite a big responsibility. So how should you thank them for their time, effort and support throughout the whole wedding planning period? We’ve found nine nifty gifts you’re girls are bound to love!

9 perfect gifts for your girls

Vintage rose jewellery from Balagan

If you’re having a rose-themed wedding we think these pretty rose earrings would make a memorable gift for your girls. They’re gorgeous enough to wear for the big day and every day after that. Available in rose, violet or orange, prices start at just £11.70.

Lulu Guiness Lips evening bag from QVC

Lulu Guiness creates quirky handbags that are timeless classics. We’re loving this ‘Lips’ evening bag, it’s the perfect accessory for a night on the town with the girls. Available for just £52.50 from QVC.

Paul Smith Rose Perfume from TJ Hughes

If you’re having a vintage-styled wedding day, this delicate rose perfume by Paul Smith would suit the mood perfectly. Only £24.99 from TJ Hughes.

Macaroon make-up gift set from Front Cover

New make-up is always a treat, particularly when it’s beautifully presented. This ‘Macaroon’ box by Front Cover features the latest on-trend shades, influenced by the gorgeous pastel colours along with hints and tips for making up eyes, lips and cheeks. Just £20 from Front Cover.

‘My day as a flowergirl’ book from the Wedding Ideas Shop

For younger helpers, this ‘My day as a flowergirl’ book allows them to make their own memory book of your special day. It’s a great way of keeping them busy at the wedding reception too! Only £7.99 from the Wedding Ideas Shop.

Bridesmaid teddy from Confetti

Want to give your flowergirls something of their own to cuddle on your wedding day? This personalised teddy from Confetti is sure to be received with delight and makes a wonderful thank you present. Just £14.98 from Confetti.

Spa break vouchers

If you think your bridesmaids deserve some real pampering after your wedding day why not treat them to a spa break? Available in denominations of £25, your bridesmaids can choose from over 75 spas nationwide offering a variety of treatments.

Swarovski crystal bracelet from Lola & Grace

This cuff with a Swarovski crystal heart design will look fabulous on bridesmaids of all ages. It’s also the perfect accessory that works with any outfit, so you’ll know they’ll want to wear it all the time. Only £39 and available in ivory and shell pink from Lola & Grace.

Charm bracelet from The Wedding Party

Finally, a charm bracelet is a classic gift and they don’t get much more gorgeous than this. Wrapped up in a beautiful silk-lined presentation box, so your bridesmaids know instantly how special they’ve made your day. It features 12 assorted charms, from a large silver heart to silver and gold diamanté charms on a rope-style bracelet. Only £14 from The Wedding Party.

Are you looking for more fab ideas for your girls? Check out our amazing bridesmaid planning section today!

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If you’re looking for a way to treat your male wedding party members ahead of your big day, you can’t go wrong with these amazing gift ideas.

Personalised mementos

The Best Man is a key player at the wedding so he deserves a special gift. Technology is great but it’s outdated quickly so something that lasts as a memento is better. Get him a case of wine or a special bottle of whiskey then have a glass or glasses specially engraved for him or a corkscrew.

Cookery lessons

Fancy handing over some of the cooking responsibilities to your man once you’re married? Then book him onto a cookery course. Put him in charge of the Sunday roast or at least make sure that he can fend for himself if you have to go away for a few days. There are plenty on offer – from a day of basics to a weekend specialising in different cuisines. Watching Masterchef together will never be the same again.

Magazine subscription

What about a magazine subscription for the ushers? It really is a gift that keeps on giving all year round. We’re thinking titles like GQ, Top Gear, Esquire or Wired.

Cufflinks

For your pageboy, why not give him a pair of his very own cufflinks? Very grown up and essential if he’s going to be wearing a formal shirt with cuffs. Rather than a gift he’ll grow out of, he’ll be able to keep them forever as a memento of his big role on your big day. £8.99 from the Wedding Ideas shop.

Collar stiffeners

These sterling silver collar stiffeners are a beautiful memento for your wedding day. They can be hand engraved with a personal message and are something to keep forever and come in a beautiful presentation box. £79 from Not On The High Street.

Land Rover experience

Is your guy a bit of a petrolhead? Why not book him a Land Rover experience day? He’ll learn to handle off-road terrain and hone his driving skills whether it’s through snowdrifts, sand dunes, riverbeds or moorland. If he watches Top Gear and sighs then this is the perfect gift for him. You can also book a night driving experience. Vehicle choices include the elegant new Evoque, classic Defender, Freelander or Discovery.

Perfect fragrances

With a bit of research and digging you can find out what the best man and groomsmen’s favourite aftershaves are (suggest you ask the wife or girlfriend). Being presented with a bottle of a favourite scent shows a great deal of thought. The Perfume Shop has a good selection and offers frequent discounts on top scents.

The post 7 gift ideas that your guys will love appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

Over the years, people plans and priorities change when they get married and so have their wedding gift lists. We take a look at how a gift list has changed from when your grandparents got married, all the way up to present day.

Have you ever heard of a ‘bottom drawer’. Basically, it was a tradition where the unmarried girls in a family had a spare drawer in the parents’ home where they could start stockpiling items they would need when they were married.

So they might put away things they were given like table linen, glassware, crockery. Then take it all out when they got married and had their own home to use the items in. A sweet idea, don’t you think?

These days, most couples live together before they get married and so traditions like the bottom drawer have really been forgotten about.

You’ll probably have your own house and flat together before you tie the knot so you’ll already have a kettle, mugs and lots of cutlery – the more traditional wedding items.

A 1960′s gift list

When your grandparents got married and living together before marriage was almost unheard of, what would have been their must-have items on a wedding list? We asked grandparents, great aunts and uncles and this is what they were getting excited about receiving back in the day!

• A hostess trolley
• Electric kettle
• Towels
• Sheets and blankets
• A set of saucepans
• Formal dinner service
• Everyday china

Modern gift list items

These days, although couples may have everyday home essentials, they will probably use their gift list to upgrade to items that are better quality or ‘designer’.

According to JustTheThing these are the 10 most popular gift list items being asked for at the moment. And not a toaster in sight!

• Honeymoon accommodation
• Romantic dinner for two
• Loft extension contribution
• Honeymoon flight upgrades
• Kitchen make over
• Home deposit fund
• Garden goodies
• Department store gift vouchers
• Wedgewood dinner service
• Couple’s cookery lessons

As you can see the modern day gift list is quite different to a gift list from 50 years ago. Whereas partners in the 1960s asked for items that helped them begin their lives together, a modern gift list focuses on the continuation of the couple’s life, so keep that in mind when putting together your list. Would you rather than products or an actual experience? Come and chat with us in the Wedding Ideas forum and let us know what kinds of gifts are making the cut!

The post How have wedding gift lists changed from the past to present day? appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

These days you’re not just limited to household goods when it comes to choosing things to put on your wedding gift list, there are loads of fun alternatives to consider.

We asked specialist travel agents Turquoise Holidays and bridal registry company Buy Our Honeymoon for different gift ideas that couples have requested.

Here are 10 suggestions you might like to consider yourself.

1. A flight upgrade for your honeymoon from Economy to First Class
2. Cookery classes for your husband or both of you
3. A romantic candlelit Champagne dinner when on honeymoon
4. A couple’s spa treatment
5. Tickets to a top show in London’s West End
6. Entry to the airport VIP lounge for your honeymoon
7. Tango lessons for you and your hubby
8. One couple spent part of their honeymoon on a volunteer project working at a Romanian orphanage. Guests could donate to the cost of the project itself or give money towards clothes, colouring books, stickers and stationery as gifts through the couple’s registry
9. Contributions towards travel expenses could take a creative turn – like 100 miles of the your journey over the ocean
10. A luxury hotel to spend your first night in

One of the great things about a honeymoon gift list is that, as well as using it to fund your basic travel expenses, you can add special excursions, meals out and treats to help turn your honeymoon into the trip of a lifetime. Your guests aren’t just making a donation – they can get you a meaningful gift that you’ll always remember!

The post 10 alternative wedding gift list ideas you’ll love! appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

New research has revealed that 82 per cent of newlyweds admit to selling their unwanted wedding gifts on auction sites like eBay. But the couples involved aren’t as ungrateful as it might seem! The survey carried out by One4all, the leading gift card service from the Post Office, revealed that brides and grooms received very unusual gifts from a tarantula to a gift-wrapped banana!

It also seems that many guests give presents expecting them to be sold on. More than one in ten wedding guests (12%) said they were often embarrassed by their gifts and one in five fully expect their gifts to be left unused, returned or sold.

The research indicates that more practical gifts or even group gifts are the solution, perhaps contributions to the honeymoon or money for house improvements.

Should you really have a wedding list at all? Yes, says the research, as 42% of guests admit that they find buying a wedding gift ‘stressful’ and by having a list, at least they’ve got something to work from!

“It seems that many of us struggle with what to buy newlyweds, resulting in lots of unwanted gifts that end up getting sold on the internet,” says Declan Byrne, managing director of One4all. “The average spend on gifts for weddings is high, just under £38, so it would be much better if that money was spent on something that couples really want. We see a large number of wedding gift cards being used as a practical alternative to more traditional presents. These allow the happy couple to spend it in over 17,000 stores nationwide,providing plenty of choice and allowing couples to use the money as they see fit.”

Worries over what gift to purchase have even resulted in one in ten Brits declining a wedding invitation altogether, believing that a bad gift decision could cause an argument between friends. 6% even believe it could end a friendship.

The One4all gift card is available from Post Offices across the UK and online at one4allgiftcard.co.uk.

How much do you expect your guests to spend on your wedding gift? And do you expect a present at all? Let us know by joining the chat on the Wedding Ideas Forum now!

The post Would you sell your wedding gifts on eBay? appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

Around 60% of couples live together before they get married nowadays, and those that don’t may well have had their own flat or house before moving into the marital home – either way, each partner is going to be fairly well-equipped on the domestic front. Seeing as wedding gifts were traditionally meant to help couples kit out their home, what can you ask for instead?

Some couples ask for money towards the honeymoon or a contribution towards a house deposit, but not everybody will feel comfortable doing this. We asked wedding planner Liz Reed of Elizabeth Jane Events for her advice. She’s seen a lot of couples plan their big days and has been involved with a lot of gift lists, so if anybody knows about wedding gift ideas, it’s her! Here are Liz’s suggestions…

Making memories

“Think about asking for a special experience you’ll remember. You could ask for a trip in a hot air balloon for the two of you, or maybe a voucher to dine in an exclusive restaurant so you can treat yourselves,” says Liz.

We think this is a great idea – you and your new husband might be trying to save a bit of money after the expense of the wedding, so a delicious meal out would be something to enjoy in a few months’ time.

Come dine with me

“How about a cookery experience for the two of you?” suggests Liz. “Brush up on your culinary skills so you can create a dinner party together.”

At Wedding Ideas, we think that cooking together is an activity that can really bring couples closer – plus, you can both decide what your specialties are and treat each other!

The great outdoors

“Whilst you may not need anything for the inside of your home, what about the exterior? How about contributions towards getting the garden professionally landscaped or a garden water feature? These are gifts that will last the test of time – in fact, they’ll get better as time goes on.”

Getting personal

“Personalisation is often a way ahead for the couple who really honestly have everything. How about a piece of personalised artwork – a watercolour of the exterior of your home? Or your dog?”

Art attack

“Many art galleries will take contributions towards a piece – so if you don’t want a painting, how about a piece of sculpture for your home? Think of the fun you’ll have browsing for a piece you like. Guests don’t mind clubbing together to buy you something really special you want, whereas they may not want to contribute towards a honeymoon or holiday,” says Liz.

If this sounds like something you’d like, we recommend you take a look at The Affordable Art Fair. There are shows a couple of times a year in London and Bristol, and prices start at £40.

Giving back

“If you’ve decided that you really do have quite enough belongings but still want to do something meaningful, then why not ask all your guests to donate to a charity of your choice that has special meaning for the pair of you? Your home won’t end up filled with unwanted clutter and you’ll get a warm feeling from knowing that you have helped those who really need it,” says Liz.

We agree – plus, it’s really easy to set up a page on Just Giving for a charity or charities of your choice.

Life’s little luxuries

“My final suggestion is to get something that will grow old with the pair of you, like vintage wine,” says Liz. “Of course, you could always drink it or you could set it aside to mark special occasions. Other ideas are a selection of luxury cigars for a man or an indulgent hamper for a woman filled with pampering treats.”

Get it in writing

Other ideas we think might work well are personalised stationery – it’ll come in handy for writing the wedding thank-you letters for a start! Ask for your new names and address at the top of the letterhead, and maybe get some notecards done at the same time. Letterpress has a selection of formal stationery that any bride and groom would be delighted to receive.

Another idea is to ask for a photo session with a photographer for a year after your wedding day. On the day itself you’ll have masses of photographs taken and you may have had an engagement shoot too – but having some shots for your first wedding anniversary is a lovely idea.

For more Wedding Gift List ideas, take a look here – or chat with other brides on the Wedding Ideas Forum for more inspiration!

The post No more toasters! 8 alternative wedding gift ideas appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

Do gift lists still have a place for the modern bride and groom? After all, over half of you will live with your partner before you get married, so you’ll already have a lot of your homeware sorted.

Well, we still think gift lists are a great idea. Giving a thoughtful and welcome gift is still a big part of a celebration, whether it’s a wedding, a significant birthday, a new baby or an anniversary.

It’s just that the whole structure of gift lists is changing. Recently, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) did a little research on the decline of the wedding gift list, as more and more couples start to ask for cash gifts instead. Here’s what was discovered.

Less than a quarter (21%) of recently-married couples asked for gifts from a wedding list.

Instead, almost half (40%) asked for money towards:

• The cost of the wedding/honeymoon (23%)
• A house (7%)
• Another purpose (16%)
• Charity donation (7%)

Money, money, money

The main reason why money is taking precedence over the gift list is because many couples already live together, and don’t need to furnish their home with traditional wedding gifts. 62% of those who ask for money state this as the main reason, with 12% saying they are saving for a deposit for a home.

If you’re asking for money, you may end up with quite a substantial sum, and the FSCS advises that you need to make sure you are investing it in a safe place. You might like to use the FSCS online protection checker for this.

Feel uncomfortable asking for cash?

About two-thirds (63%) of guests who have attended a wedding in the past five years are comfortable giving money rather than buying something from a gift list. Just a quarter (26%) wouldn’t be happy making a financial contribution, according to the FSCS research.

Just remember that in some other cultures giving hard cash isn’t seen as a problem. In fact in Cyprus, the Philippines, Poland and Cuba, money is pinned directly to the bride’s wedding dress. In Hungary it’s dropped into her shoes! Marry in Italy and you’ll probably get a satin bag filled with notes, whilst in China the bride and groom would receive a red envelope. It’s a practical understanding amongst the guests that the money will help to offset the cost of the wedding, the honeymoon and help the couple start their new life together.

As the FSCS research showed, guests appreciate why couples ask for money, with 63% recognising that most now live together already and so do not need household items. Just 7% think people are greedier.

So we say, if you really want money as a wedding gift, then you should just take a deep breath and go for it, as you’re unlikely to offend the majority of your guests.

But what to do with the cash whilst you’re waiting to spend it?

“It is important that couples who do receive money keep it safe, whatever they’re deciding to spend it on,” advises Mark Neale, Chief Executive of FSCS. “Depositing the money in a UK-authorised bank, building society or credit union will give couples reassurance that their money is FSCS protected. These savings are protected up to £85,000 by FSCS, in the unlikely event of the provider going bust.”

“Many of the couples I work for face a dilemma when it comes to wedding gifts,” says Alexandra Moseley, a professional wedding planner. “In a number of relationships the couple already live together and have everything they need for their home. They mainly want to make sure that their guests feel as much a part of their big day.

“With many couples now taking their honeymoon months after their wedding, some newly-weds prefer donations to their honeymoon fund. The fact that the majority of guests feel comfortable giving cash will reassure a couple that they can ask for it, if that’s what they feel is most appropriate.”

So how do you ask for money?

Well, if you’re using it to fund a honeymoon, then you can set up a fund directly with an established company like Turquoise Holidays or Kuoni and put details of it in with your wedding invitations. Do make sure whoever holds your funds is insured, because if they go bust, you’ll lose your honeymoon. The same applies to gift vouchers – if your wedding gifts are held with vouchers and the supplier goes broke, you’ll end up with nothing. Always go for established retailers like John Lewis.

And if you want to set up a deposit account for your funds, use the FSCS checker to make sure they are in the best and safest place for you. To find the best rates of interest and home for your money use a comparison website like MoneySavingExpert.

Asking for money can still be a tricky business – why not discuss it with other brides in our Forum and see what they think?

The post Show me the money! How to ask for cash as a wedding gift appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

It’s lovely to give your mum and dad a gift on your wedding day, to thank them for bringing you up and being there for you on your big day. You may also be thanking them for helping to finance your wedding day and put up with all your moods and stresses over the months spent planning it!

So what can you give them to show your appreciation? Well, whilst we love flowers here at Wedding Ideas magazine, we always think it’s nicer to opt for something a little more personal for your parents than a traditional bouquet. Here are some of our suggestions for thank-you gifts!

Alternatives to flowers

If you want to give your mum and dad something floral, how about a small tree for the garden instead – a flowering cherry or a lilac? Choose something that will grow and flourish over the coming years and be a reminder of your happy wedding day. Have a look at Trees By Post, who have cherry blossom trees starting at £7.95.

If your mum loves her garden then we think she’d be bowled over by these pieces from botanical artist Bridget Chetwynd. There’s nothing stuffy or old-fashioned about her work, we love the colours and the pieces are gifts that you won’t see all over the high street. Mugs are £13 each, the tea towels are £10 and the apron is £18. These blooms will certainly last longer than a bouquet!

And what about dads?

Fathers often get left out when it comes to gift-giving at weddings, which we think is a real shame – now’s the time to spoil them!

Does your dad love to barbecue? Is he never happier than when he’s got his apron on and he’s turning the steaks? Let him put his own stamp on them by giving him this steak branding knife, which you can personalise with his name. £19.95 from The Handpicked Collection.

There’s a saying that ‘Great oaks from little acorns grow’, and your dad will have seen you grow from a child to the adult you are today. Remind him that you were once his little baby with these acorn cufflinks from Glover & Smith at Not On The High Street  – we think they’re a charming modern day classic.

Give them a getaway

If your budget will stretch to it, why not give them a night in a hotel? They’re probably exhausted themselves after all the build-up to the wedding day and would welcome a bit of time off together. Try Mr & Mrs Smith for some ideas. If they like the theatre, maybe combine an overnight stay in a hotel with a theatre break in London – Superbreaks has some great offers for West End shows with accommodation starting at £182 for a couple including breakfast.

If your parents are the type that like to spend quality time walking with the dog, reading books, relaxing and eating in the local pub, you could hire a cottage for them for a weekend. Look for availability in term time and you’ll find prices much more reasonable and a wider variety of choices. Country Cottages Online has some properties with fabulous views, and pets are welcome.

Alternatively, a voucher for a delicious dinner in a Michelin star restaurant would be a real treat and something to look forward to – they could use it for their own wedding anniversary maybe. Smartbox has a Michelin star dining experience (with a choice of restaurants) for £169.

If they’re outdoorsy and would prefer something a bit more energetic than a meal, how about a joint clay pigeon shooting or archery session? At £39.95 for an hour’s lesson with all the equipment, we think this offer from Smartbox is very good value.

The real art of present-giving is to give somebody something that they would love to receive, but would never feel they could buy for themselves.

If you’d like some more inspiration, we’ve a discussion going on at the Forum on gifts for mums and dads – it’s interesting to see what other brides and grooms are choosing to give their parents. Have a look here and dive right in yourself if you have a question you’d like to ask.

The post 9 thoughtful thank-you gifts to give your mum and dad appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

You’re almost certainly going to want to give a present to your bridesmaids and pageboys on your wedding day, to say thank you for being such an important part of the wedding party.

There may be other children at your wedding you also want to give a little something to. Maybe there’s a new baby in the family and you’d like to present a gift, or a young one is celebrating their 18th birthday around your wedding day.

We’ve put together a selection of present ideas for you to consider, for both boys and girls of all ages.

Precious pieces

Get your young bridesmaid’s jewellery collection off to a stylish start with one of these sweet little pendants from Alexis Dove featuring kittens and bunny rabbits. You can choose from silver, rose gold or gold vermeil, and you can personalise the piece by writing the recipient’s initials on the base. Prices start at £75.

Pearl bracelets are a classic gift that will have any little girl feeling very grown up – it’s a piece of jewellery she’ll be able to wear forever. We think this one is a snip at £16.96 from The Handpicked Collection.

If the girls at your wedding are the crafting types, you could give them these little wooden hearts with a Scandi design by Hanna Francis. Just push out the heart and use the supplied ribbon ready to hang as a decoration (RRP £8.50). This would look lovely on a bedroom wall. After the wedding they could be decorated and painted in different colours – we think silver or gold would look fabulous. Order direct from the Hanna Francis website.

Cupcakes, anyone?

With the popularity of The Great British Bake Off, baking has never been more popular. Why not give your bridesmaids and the pageboys a cookery day learning how to make cupcakes? We’ve found numerous venues around the place offering day courses (children need to be 12 and over) and prices start at just £29.

One for the boys

A lot of little boys love cars and building things. How about combining the two and giving them a Lego Technic car to make? Lego is always popular and it’s good value. This Mini Off-Roader comes with all the pieces they’ll need and they can sit and make it quietly (well, there’s always hope!) whilst the wedding speeches are going on. We think it’s a bargain at £7.99 from the Lego Shop.

What about paintballing? The boys will be kitted out in special overalls and supplied with a semi-automatic gas-powered paintball gun. Buy a Gift currently has an offer on at £10 for a group of eight people, which we think sounds like a complete bargain – all you have to buy on the day are the paint balls themselves. This activity is available all over the country and it’s suitable for children aged 12 years and upwards. You can always get the girls involved in this one too – they’ll love the opportunity to show up the boys at their own game!

For younger children

Make the place settings at your wedding reception extra special by organising these named mats from Scarlett Willow. Have the name picked out in green or pink, whatever suits. Sure to give a thrill to the child as they find their particular place and a reminder of your wedding day afterwards. It’s also a practical gift as the mats are large so parents will be delighted at the chance of keeping the family table that bit cleaner!

For older kids

A Junior Driving Experience can make a seriously exciting gift for teenagers. This is a bit more expensive at £69, but they do get to drive an Aston Martin! The session lasts about two hours in total and is available in numerous locations around the country. Suitable for ages 11-17 years.

Don’t forget!

Have a photograph taken of yourself and your new husband with all the kids at the wedding, as well as your bridesmaids and pageboys. If you want, you can then get copies printed out and framed and send to the children involved – it will really make them feel they played a special part on your big day and it’s a lovely keepsake.

Hopefully these ideas have inspired you! We also have some great children’s favours in the Wedding Ideas Shop, including activity books and animal-shaped sweet boxes – take a look!

The post 9 perfect presents for children at weddings appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

The big day is fast approaching – there are just 6 – 4 months left to go before you tie the knot, but if you’ve been following our tips so far, you’ll be well on track with your plans.

You’ve made decisions about the big things – the venue, your dress, the groom’s attire. Now it’s time to focus on the smaller – but still important! – details.

Do me a favour

So what exactly are wedding favours? You’ll almost certainly have come across sugared almonds in bags given to guests -  traditionally, this favour represents fertility, longevity, health, wealth and happiness. Many brides still choose this option today but if you’d like to say thank you in a different way, then there are literally hundreds of alternatives to offer as wedding favours.

Right now we’d say that miniature bottles of alcohol, seeds, plants, and personalised cookies and biscuits are popular with our real life brides and grooms. Depending on your talents, the time you have available and your inclination, these can either be bought or made. Making your own favours shouldn’t be a last-minute decision – far too stressful! If you’re going to DIY any part of your wedding, you need to plan it well in advance to give you time to practise and perfect your design. And DIY isn’t always the cheapest option – you’re going to have to budget for a few test items.

If you’re not confident about your DIY skills, don’t worry; you can still give your guests unique wedding favours.

We always like the idea of favours doubling up as place cards by being personalised with each guest’s name. Use some coloured card and a heart-shaped hole punch to create your own tags. Alternatively old-fashioned luggage tags tied with brown string look authentic if you’re planning a vintage-inspired day.

Our three top tips for favours

1. Give yourself time – if you want to create something unique and personal, build in the necessary time to get it right.
2.  Use your wedding cake – Buy some little boxes to match your colour scheme and ask your caterer to divide the cake into these so guests have a take-home treat. (Of course, if you put your favour budget into your cake, you could afford to spend more on it.)
3. Hand around your favours yourself which gives you the chance to thank each guest individually. A great time to do this is with your new husband whilst your guests are eating dessert.

A gift for your wedding day

Your guests are almost certainly going to want to buy you a special wedding present to start you off on married life together – but what do you ask for? You may have all the domestic kit you need but would love some financial input towards your honeymoon, your mortgage or just for a rainy day.

The way around asking for cash – short of having money pinned directly to your wedding attire! – is to get your friends to put the word around before your big day. It’s becoming increasingly the normal to ask guests to contribute towards something relevant to your wedding – like a dream honeymoon for example.

Sites like Buy our honeymoon enable guests to buy certain experiences for the couple while they’re away, from a private candlelit dinner on the beach to swimming with dolphins. Writing a thank-you letter about such a fabulous experience won’t be difficult!

Or what about a new kitchen or bathroom? Some gift list websites enable guests to buy vouchers for popular high street stores. If you are given a lot of vouchers, though, do remember to keep an eye on the ‘use by’ date.

Asking guests to donate money to a chosen charity is also a nice idea, especially if you have a personal link with a particular cause.

Walk this way

What girl doesn’t love a fabulous pair of shoes? Your wedding day is the perfect time to really indulge your love of footwear – in fact getting your bridal shoes right is a key part of your wedding day look. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that they won’t be on show much so they don’t matter. These aren’t just any old shoes – they have to be multi-tasking.

First of all, they have to be the right height. You need to feel confident when you’re walking down that aisle, so if you never wear super high heels, don’t start now – just buy a pair for your honeymoon instead. If you want height minus that wobbly feeling, go for wedged or thicker heels. Thin stiletto heels are the hardest to walk in and can get easily caught in uneven ground – be sure you’re buying the right type of shoe for you, as a wobbly walk down the aisle isn’t a great look!

Secondly, you need to decide whether you’re going to complement or contrast. Complementary shoes will be a similar colour to your gown and probably be made of satin. They will also feature similar details to those in your dress, like lace, pearls or diamante. Contrasting shoes, on the other hand, make for fabulously fun photos and give your guests – and your groom – a big surprise! Bright, bold shoes look fabulous peeking out from beneath your dress or making a statement with a shorter vintage-style number. Aruna Seth are the experts at creating coloured bridal shoes – their Faralla design is a favourite of real brides and celebrities alike. For a more budget-friendly option try Rainbow Club’s dyeing service – their Colour Studio can match any shade you care to think of.

Finally, you need to think about your venue and the time of year. You don’t want to wear strappy sandals in winter and in summer you may find that your feet swell up uncomfortably in restrictive courts. Winter brides may look for more security, so we recommend shoes with straps, or even a pair of back-up shoes – ivory wellington boots, for example, are pretty and practical to wear during outdoor photos.

Are you getting married abroad? Then sparkly flip-flops should be top of your list. Struggling across sand in high heels is not the way to go. Plus, it goes without saying that for a beach wedding, a pedicure is an absolute must!

A symbol of your love

An unbroken circle, your wedding ring represents the unity you have together. Now is a good time to choose your wedding rings – think about budget, durability, colour and style.

You’re going to be wearing your rings for many years to come, so it’s worth allocating a good slice of your budget towards them. Platinum is one of the most popular choices for wedding rings because of its hardness, rarity and beautiful appearance. For those who want the characteristics of platinum without the price tag, palladium is a great choice. Granted its own hallmark in 2010, Palladium is more hard-wearing than white gold but softer than platinum, pushing it into a less expensive price bracket.

Grooms now have more choice than ever before when it comes to wedding rings and don’t have to opt for a coloured gold band. If your man is looking for something a little bit different, why not choose the lightweight titanium or striking black zirconium? You can even have wood laid into precious metals nowadays.

Whichever type of ring you choose, consider having a special message or your wedding date inscribed inside, to make them even more personal to you.

You’ll find more tips about choosing the perfect wedding ring here.

Start planning your honeymoon

The honeymoon may seem like a long way off – particularly when you’re busy wedding planning – but you need to start thinking about honeymoon destinations, and potentially, vaccinations. Ask your doctor if your chosen country requires you to have any injections and if so, get these arranged as soon as possible – you don’t want to have a reaction that leaves you feeling lousy just before the wedding. You may also need to take anti-malaria tablets if you’re going somewhere tropical.

Once you know where you’re off to, consider what clothes you’re going to need and ask a member of the family to take your luggage to the reception venue if you’re leaving for honeymoon straight after the party.

The post Your year in wedding planning: what to sort 6 – 4 months before the big day… appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

The great thing about being able to add any item from any retailer to your wedding gift list is that lots of you do. Some even see it as a challenge! Here, Annie Stiles who heads up personal shopping at Prezola shares a few weird wedding gift lists…

Leather rhinos

These fabulous footstools don’t come cheap at around £300, but after featuring one on Facebook last year we’ve been inundated with requests for Omersa’s animals. They do a hippo, too!

Tattoo vouchers

We were pretty surprised when one couple asked for vouchers from their local tattoo parlour to be added to their wedding gift list. We were even more surprised when they were the first thing to sell out!

Aston Martin Vantage

We thought we were managing Jordan’s latest wedding when ‘Kate from Essex’ added an Aston Martin to her gift list. Sadly it was never purchased and so we didn’t get to give it a spin around the warehouse. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of ambition (or humour) with your wedding gift list!

Your very own tree

You’d be amazed how popular these are and we had to change our delivery terms and conditions last year after an eight foot Japanese Maple arrived at Prezola HQ. Very romantic to plant a tree in memory of your wedding day and we’re more than happy to oblige. We just like to have them delivered directly to you now!

Matching flippers

Our honeymoon fund is unique in that couples can add specific honeymoon elements such as cocktails at the beach or a romantic dinner for two. Adding physical gifts alongside honeymoon contributions helps to accommodate guests who’d rather give you a physical gift and we often see luggage and travel accessories being added. One lucky couple just received matching fluorescent flippers for their honeymoon in Dubai!

Posh wellies

We do like wedding gifts that can last a lifetime and we’ve seen a good few people adding Hunter wellies to their gift lists recently; possibly due to the atrocious weather we’ve been having. Best to choose different colours unless you want to look like your parents!

Pet accessories

Lots of you are including pets in your big day, and we’ve seen that reflected in your gift lists, too. Guests seem more than happy to oblige with a good number of diamond dog collars coming through the doors at Prezola HQ recently!

Mini saucepans

A relatively new phenomenon is really tiny saucepans. We’re not talking milk pans, but literally so small that you couldn’t get a whole egg into it! Not entirely sure what they’re used for but they’re certainly very popular. We blame Nigella!

Winner of Wedding Gift List of The Year at the Wedding Ideas Awards 2014, Prezola is now the UK’s leading independent wedding gift list service. Couples can add any item from any retailer to their gift list alongside a honeymoon fund, cash contributions and donations to any UK retailer.

Need some more gift list inspiration? Check out our gift list pages today!

The post Leather rhinos, please! Weird wedding gift lists revealed… appeared first on Wedding Ideas.

Real-life couple Siân and Callum had an incredible honeymoon travelling around California – and best of all, their guests helped pay for it with Buy Our Honeymoon! Read on to find out more about their trip and why they chose to have their guests contribute…

Where did you go?

For our amazing honeymoon we went on a road trip of California over 22 days, visiting San Diego, Palm Springs, Anaheim (Disneyland!), Los Angeles, Pismo Beach, Monterey, Yosemite, Napa and finishing off in San Francisco.

Why did you choose California?

We originally set out looking at Hawaii as our honeymoon destination, but after finding out that to get there you have to change planes in California, we thought “ooh, California! That could be interesting!”

We have always loved the idea of visiting all of America so what better way to start than our honeymoon. What started out as a two-week holiday turned out to be a 22-day tour of one of the most amazing places we could ever imagine.

The more research we did, the more places we wanted to visit and things we wanted to see – I don’t think we even scratched the surface. It was months and months of planning and we changed our itinerary so many times! We would do exactly the same trip again in a heartbeat — the planning really did pay off!

What did you do there?

How long have you got?! We did anything and everything you could think of – dining in the most amazing settings, watching the sunsets, visiting the world famous San Diego Zoo, hiring a private speedboat (Callum got very accelerator-happy!), going to a drive-in movie and sheltering from the 120-degree heat in Palm Springs (!).

We spent far too much money in Disneyland (one of the highlights of the trip), and we also got to see the Hollywood sign, the Walk of Fame and Universal Studios in LA. We spent the most amazing 4th July in Santa Monica cruising Venice Beach on a tandem! We also drove along the Pacific Coast Highway and saw some of the most unbelievable views, and managed to catch a glimpse of a blue whale while whale watching.

We visited the Monterey Bay aquarium, climbed waterfalls in Yosemite, travelled on the wine train and had a private lunch and wine tasting in a vineyard in Napa, saw the sights of amazing San Francisco including Alcatraz, visited the giant redwood forests and Sausalito – and, finishing off with probably the best moment, flew UNDER the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge in a helicopter! I could carry on for days but they are the highlights….

What was your most romantic moment?

For a bit of downtime we had a stop off in Pismo Beach to break up the journey up the coast. We researched things to do in the area and came across a little spa in the middle of nowhere in a town called Paso Robles – we hired a private hot tub, bought a bottle of fizz and just relaxed together. It was amazing and is bringing a lump to my throat just writing about it now. It’s the little things you find away from the crowds that made us realise just how lucky we were.

It’s great for honeymoons because…

Its great for honeymoons because there is so much to do and see. It’s not a beach holiday, so if you want to just relax it’s probably not the place for you (though we did get a lot of relaxing in too!), and best of all you can then say you’ve done all these amazing things and experienced everything with your new husband or wife. It was the best start to married life and has made us want to do more travelling together. What more could you want?

Why did you use Buy Our Honeymoon?

We’ve been living together for years and, as clichéd as it sounds, we had everything we needed in the house. So instead we thought we would focus on a dream honeymoon and after finding the Buy Our Honeymoon website I was adamant that it would be perfect. Callum was unsure at first but, as a good fiancé does, he trusted me!

Building the site was so easy, and you can make it look exactly as you want. We think by finding things to put on our list we ended up doing more than we would have done without it and it genuinely made our honeymoon. When the invites went out we were anxiously waiting for RSVPs but the excitement started when we started receiving emails about people buying things off the list!

The generosity of our guests was unbelievable and every single person has said what an amazing idea it was. When we returned we put photos of what each person had paid for in our thank-you cards so they could see where their money went. It was so much more personal than people just giving money towards a holiday and our guests loved seeing everything we had planned. Our best friends are getting married next year and they have already started setting up their list!

Want more honeymoon inspiration? Check out our Honeymoon section for more planning advice – or go to Buy Our Honeymoon to start setting up your list!

The post This real-life couple had an amazing Californian getaway with Buy Our Honeymoon appeared first on Wedding Ideas.