The best wedding gifts 2018

The best wedding gifts

If the happy couple have already been living together since time immemorial, you know they’re probably pretty well-stocked. But without a gift registry, what on earth do you get them so they’re not up to their ears in toasters? Not to worry: we’ve brought together a list of the best wedding gifts for all budgets, and all types of couples, to help spark some inspiration. 

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For food-lovers, it doesn’t come much more luxurious than a gift from the venerable food hall of London institution Fortnum & Mason, and with its combination of consumables and keepsakes, we think

is the best of the lot. Of course, that’s if you’re really looking to treat them. For a more low-key but no less thoughtful gift, consider treating them to an or . Oh, and if you’re feeling extravagant, there’s always that ... 

The best wedding gift

1. Fortnum & Mason The Honeymoon Hamper

With fizz, nibbles, keepsakes and (you guessed it) honey

Specifications

Best for: Foodies
Type: Hamper
Material: Wicker, leather
Pieces: 17
Personalised?: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
 Excellent variety of sweets, savouries and drinks 
+
 Gorgeous hamper and teapot to keep 

This Honeymoon Hamper is specially curated for couples who are partial to a nibble and a sip of something nice, featuring an all-star lineup of savoury and sweet treats to give them the tastiest start to married life. Standouts include a personalised bottle of Blanc de Blancs Champagne, Royal Blend tea and Akbar coffee, Marc de Champagne Truffles, and an amphora of decadent Welsh honey, but the inclusion of a glass teapot and, of course, that wonderful hamper, means they can still enjoy the gift after the last morsel has been hoovered up. 

Red Letter Days Revolution Bar Cocktail Masterclass

2. Red Letter Days Revolution Bar Cocktail Masterclass

Shake things up post-wedding with a mixology experience for two

Specifications

Best for: Quality time
Type: Gift experience
Locations: Brighton, London, Manchester, Leeds
Duration: 1½ hours

Reasons to buy

+
 Lets them learn a new skill together 
+
 Four locations around the country 

You know what they say: the couple who shake together, stay together. If they’re likely to be scratching their heads over where to store a host of beautiful new homewares, why not buy them an experience instead? This Revolution Bar Cocktail Masterclass from Red Letter Days gives them some quality time together in the wake of all that wedding chaos, and teaches them a new skill too – even better if they can replicate it when you next pop round for drinks. They can master mixology, as well as testing out some fun drinking games, at one of four venues around the country, so you can pick the one nearest to them. 

DJI Spark Mini Drone

3. DJI Spark Mini Drone

Incredible footage of unforgettable trips? All par for the course with this high-tech mini drone

Specifications

Best for: Taking on the honeymoon
Type: Drone
Flying time: 16 minutes
Video resolution: Full HD

Reasons to buy

+
 Takes full HD video 
+
 Awesome new perspective on destinations 

As offbeat gifts go, a mini drone is undoubtedly one of the best. While it’s unlikely many others will have thought of it, clearing you for landing on the present table, a drone with video recording capabilities is a great twist on the GoPro for adventurous couples, and ensures they’ll get some epic footage of the honeymoon, as well as any other trips they’ll take together. Reviewers said the quality of this DJI drone was tangible, and that it had great power for the pocketable size. Despite the temptation though, there are certain rules, so you might want to encourage them to check out the guidance from the CAA first

GPO Attache Record Player

4. GPO Attache Record Player

What’s that about music being the food of love?

Specifications

Best for: Vinyl lovers
Type: Record player
Speeds: 33, 45, 78RPM
Speakers: 1.5W

Reasons to buy

+
 Lets them back up vinyl to USB 
+
 Portable suitcase design 

This Dansette-style suitcase record player is ideal for vintage-obsessed couples, twinning retro looks with all-modern functionality. Its smart red casing has built-in speakers, so they needn’t worry about clearing a corner of the living room to set it up, and the carry handle means they can take it wherever they go, ideal for garden parties and picnics. Playing at 33, 45 or 78rpm, it gives them full rein over their entire record collection, and they can even back up their favourite vinyl to the digital realm using the included USB stick. 

PR Home Luxury Garden Bistro Set

5. PR Home Luxury Garden Bistro Set

Help them get the best out of every bit of the marital home with this stylish and sturdy set

Specifications

Best for: The garden
Type: Outdoor furniture
Material: Teak, synthetic rattan, aluminium
Includes: Two chairs, table

Reasons to buy

+
 Comfortable, durable seats 
+
 Lovely contrasting design 

While globetrotting and exciting days out have their merits, hanging out at home is undoubtedly one of the greatest pleasures of married life, so ensure they do it in style with this two-seater garden set by PR Home. Made from a combination of woven seagrass and rustic teak, the comfortable chairs are both good-looking and durable enough to keep out even in the unpredictable British weather, and the slatted-top table is just the right size for two. If you’re after a practical present that they’ll use time and time again, this is a great thoughtful option. 

Sonos Play:1

6. Sonos Play:1

Ambient dinner soundtracks and riotous parties: sorted

Specifications

Best for: Music lovers
Type: Speakers
Wireless?: Yes
Inputs: 10/100 Mbps ethernet

Reasons to buy

+
 Compatible with loads of music sources 
+
 Control direct from smart devices 

Not everyone’s got a vinyl collection the size of the spare room, but that doesn’t mean the music-loving couple can’t jam out together. This Sonos speaker might have a compact design and a small footprint, but it gives out a big sound to please any audiophile (those very picky about their setup can build a home theatre system using Sonos Bridge too) and is superbly easy to pair with other speakers around the house for a multi-room musical experience. Compatible with iOS and Android, they can use it to listen to their iTunes library, favourite streaming service, or even podcasts and internet radio stations. 

Dawes Duet Twin Tandem Bike

7. Dawes Duet Twin Tandem Bike

If they’d look sweet upon the seat… well, you get the idea

Specifications

Best for: Outdoor types
Type: Tandem bike
Frame: 6061 alloy
Gears: 21

Reasons to buy

+
 Rear rack for luggage 
+
 High quality build 

Nat King Cole was onto something when he sang about a bicycle made for two, and whether or not your giftee’s name happens to be Daisy, they’re sure to get a kick out of this tandem bicycle. Way more sociable than cycling alone, and way less dangerous than riding two abreast on a road that is definitely not made for two, the Dawes Duet Twin Tandem features a light but rigid alloy frame, 21-speed Shimano Revoshift gears, Tektro alloy V-brakes, and a luggage-ready rear rack, all of which come together in a thoroughly charming, great value, capable bike.

Oliver Bonas Luxe Bar Table

8. Oliver Bonas Luxe Bar Table

For your most glamorous friends, look no further than this gorgeous bar table

Specifications

Best for: Entertainers
Type: Bar table
Material: Iron, marble
Colour: Gold, white marble

Reasons to buy

+
 Sleek art deco styling 
+
 Small footprint 

The ideal gift for frequent entertainers, or simply those who take their evening tipple seriously, this luxurious bar table adds a touch of pageantry to proceedings whether they’re throwing a fabulous soiree or kicking back in their matching pyjamas with a bottle of plonk. Its combination of marble surfaces and gold hardware is both on-trend and timeless, giving off seriously swish art deco vibes as well as providing a practical home for their glassware, bar accessories and favourite spirits, and one that doesn’t take up too much space, either. 

KitchenAid 175 Artisan 4.8L Stand Mixer

9. KitchenAid 175 Artisan 4.8L Stand Mixer

Hey good lookin’, whatcha got cookin’?

Specifications

Best for: Cooking together
Type: Mixer
Capacity: 4.8L
Power: 300W

Reasons to buy

+
 Lots of handy attachments 
+
 Looks fantastic 

The ultimate kitchen lust-have, especially if one or both of them happen to be big Bake-Off fans, a KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer is one of those things that many want, but few can justify buying for themselves. So, if you really want to spoil them, look no further. With a choice of elegant neutrals, smart metallics, delicate pastels and standout brights, there’s something to suit every sort of kitchen, and its range of attachments include a dough hook, two beaters and a whisk to help with everything from fluffy meringues to crisp pizza bases. 

MapSnappy Custom Map Print

10. MapSnappy Custom Map Print

The ultimate thoughtful gift, a personalised print is sure to impress

Specifications

Best for: Keepsake
Type: Print
Personalised?: Yes
Material: 180gsm matte paper

Reasons to buy

+
 Stylish personalised gift 
+
 Excellent value 

Wall art is a notoriously tricky corner of the gift pool to navigate, but personalised prints are sure to be a hit. These stylish city prints are a great option for casual guests or those without a big budget, as they’re very inexpensive and give a nod to the couple’s story without having to know too many ins and outs. Choose their hometown, where they met, or their most unforgettable holiday destination for something that’ll give them a smile every time they look at it, and whatever their chosen interior scheme, the clean lines and minimal black and white colourway are sure to fit in seamlessly. 

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Shopping for a coffee-loving couple? Skip straight to our best coffee machines to give them the gift of barista-style joe every morning