The Best Wedding Gifts To Buy Now
Searching for a wedding gift that will secure you ‘best guest’ status during 2025’s season of nuptials? Below, the NET-A-PORTER buying team weigh in on how to choose the perfect present for the newlyweds in your life
Think outside the box and beyond the registry
“With people getting married later in life, long gone are the days of toasters and kettles – most couple’s homes have never been better stocked,” says buyer Joey Germaine of a challenge that comes with wedding gifting now. “Without such formulaic registry options to fall back on, today’s wedding guests really need to think outside the box for something fresh, while also keeping in mind the couple’s aesthetic.”
Prioritize timelessness, but consider the unexpected
“I tend to favor pieces that stand the test of time, so that the couple can have them in their homes for decades to come,” continues Germaine. “Christofle’s iconic silverware is usually my go-to. The brand offers all of the sensible options, however I prefer to gift the unexpected luxuries that one is less likely to purchase for oneself, like the caviar serving sets or silver chopsticks (perfect for elevating a mid-week takeout).”
For traditionalists, go classic and heirloom-worthy
“Sticking to classic silhouettes and clean colorways is the best way to go for the traditionalists,” Germaine adds. “I would gravitate towards some of L’Objet’s white porcelain dinner sets and espresso cups or a beautifully impactful Astier de Villatte vase.”
“All homes need vases – often multiple!” concurs buying editor Abbi Minchin. “Particularly if you know the couple well, as well as their personal tastes and space – then a vase is a perfect gift. I love Louise Roe vases – they marry the modern with traditional; their pieces have a vintage-like quality to them. You can also consider the history of the brand: Christofle is so rich in heritage that it’s perfect for traditionalists. Any one of their objects is an heirloom in the making, so will be fitting for a wedding gift that can be handed down for generations.”
Embrace a playful twist
“For couples with more contemporary taste, lean into the idea of functionality with a twist,” suggests assistant buyer Ella Hoyle. “Whether a Natalia Criado silver-plated and rose-quartz teapot or a Reflections Copenhagen crystal backgammon set, these will leave a lasting memory – and aren’t something the newlyweds may think to buy for themselves.”
“More and more, we are seeing pops of personality throughout the home – and these pieces with a twist really allow us to set our home apart,” says Germaine. “For a couple who tends to favor something a little different, I would suggest some of Louise Roe’s mid-century steel coffee cups, Gohar World’s more surrealist creations or Completedworks’ brightly colored glassware sets. These pieces are an instant conversation starter.”
For Minchin, it’s the fun, surprising details that sets a gift apart. “Rosh Mahtani’s Alighieri knows how to do it well. A playful piece of cutlery or lobster-shaped bottle opener feels like the perfect finishing touch to a wedding gift.”
Give yourself time
“My one rule is to take the time to really think about a gift – because it truly is the thought that counts,” says Minchin. “Top tip: I make notes whenever my friends mention anything that would be in the realm of a good gift. I ask, what kind of aesthetic do they have and how does that translate to their home? Think about it, and relate it back to yourself: What would I really appreciate as a meaningful gift?”
Keep an eye out for clues
“There is a way to be considered in all gifting situations,” she continues. “Look at the couple’s wedding invitation and interpret it in relation to their personal preferences. You could buy something that directly correlates to the color palette or design interpretation. That is a very personal way to approach gifting – and a story to tell for the future.”
Make it fail-safe
“Every couple needs a game selection – whether to pull out on the occasion of a games night or to display as an object in itself. Look to Brunello Cucinelli and Ralph Lauren Home for the most luxurious of options,” Minchin suggests. “And, when in doubt, a striking candle (particularly a large, long-lasting one à la Diptyque and Loewe) never goes amiss.”
Add a personal element
“A hand-written and heartfelt note to accompany a gift will always be the cherry on the top that makes your offering truly memorable,” Germaine concludes.