Brace yourselves: wedding season is about to kick off. If you're of a certain age, that likely means multiple weddings to navigate, and by the time you've cordoned off the weekend, booked in accommodation, and established a transport plan, you can't be blamed for lacking the mental energy to work out what to buy as a gift.
Many couples will have a gift list or ask for money, but what if you want something a little more personal? What if you know them well enough that going off-list is the only way forward? Below, I've rounded up a selection of gifts I think would make a welcome addition to any newlywed couple's household. I spent two years as TechRadar's Homes editor, and many of these are gadgets and appliances that I tested during this time, or come from brands that consistently impressed me with their designs and build quality.
It's much more common for couples to live together before they marry these days, so rather than asking for 'starter' items for setting up house, we're seeing a shift towards more premium buys from heritage brands. Think Le Creuset cast ironware, KitchenAid stand mixers, and decent coffee machines. These picks will replace the appliances that might have been carried over from student days, and continue on with them into adult life. In my roundup, I've also thrown in plenty of curveball options for couples that already seem to have everything.
I've tried to find options that are useful but still feel like a gift — I've steered clear of things like Dyson vacuums, for instance (although if you know a clean-freak couple, I wouldn't rule one of those out). Oh, and this list might also be useful if you yourself are getting married this summer and are struggling for ideas of what to include in your registry. Scroll down for my hand-picked wedding gift list.
Winning wedding presents
Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 wakeup light
KitchenAid Artisan Mixer Tilt-Head 5qt / 4.7L Yeti French Press Philips Hue Gradient Signe smart table lamp
Pros
- Mega-easy to set up
- Beautiful and varied choice of colors
- User-friendly app
Cons
- Expensive
- App control is the only option
- Longer power cable would be useful
SMEG KLF03 electric kettle Le Creuset Cast Iron Round Casserole Ninja Creami ice cream maker
Philips Baristina coffee maker
Pros
- Simple to use, even for beginners
- Much easier to clean than most bean-to-cup coffee makers
- Smart, sleek design
- Very reasonably priced
Cons
- Grind size can't be adjusted
- No steam wand (although there's an optional standalone milk frother)
Dualit 4-Slot Classic Toaster
Gozney Roccbox pizza oven
Pros
- Quick heat time
- Quick back-to-back pizza turnaround
- Restaurant quality
Cons
- Heavy
- Max 12-inch pizzas
Philips Hue Play Wall Washer
Pros
- Compact, subtle design
- Very smooth color gradient
- Easy to set up
- Versatile enough to use in any room
Cons
- One of the more expensive Philips Hue lights
Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill
Pros
- Creates tasty, smoky flavors with minimal mess and hassle
- Very intuitive to use
- Only requires a small scoop of pellets
Cons
- Not big enough for larger gatherings
- Accessories can’t go in dishwasher
Sage / Breville Luxe Brewer Thermal drip coffee maker
Pros
- Smart, modern design
- Very small footprint
- Excellent insulated carafe
- Removable water tank
- Well-designed interface
- Traditional-style cold-brewing
Cons
- Handle on water tank is very small
- Printed instructions could be clearer
