You may think you’re ready for your wedding, but we have some news for you. You have one more present to buy! Not only do you need to promise to love them for better or worse, but you have to get them a wedding day gift. After all, it’s tradition for a bride and groom to exchange gifts on the big day. So, it’s time to start searching for the perfect present. Whether you two want to keep it practical or sentimental - that’s up to you. Here’s our advice regarding the bride and groom gift exchange.
*This post may contain affiliate links. While we can receive commission through affiliate links, opinions are entirely our own.*
Photography by: Sarah Olfelt Photo; Wedding Dress: Wedding Shoppe
Bride & Groom Gift Etiquette
Unique Bride & Groom Gift Exchange Ideas
Gifts for your bride or groom are so much fun to buy. After all, you two have a lot to celebrate! Now you get the chance to solidify that commitment with a gift. While it doesn't have to be expensive, it must come from the heart. Here are some of our favorite wedding gift ideas for the bride and groom gift exchange!
Groom to Bride Gift Ideas:
So, you're searching for the perfect wedding gift for your wife? We've got you covered! Whether you need last minute wedding gift ideas or are looking for something sentimental - here are our favorites.
1. The 'Story of Us' Map
Shop: BasketfulOf Grace
This adorable gift for your bride will make for the perfect decor! She will love how sentimental this present is, and it will take you back through memory lane. Plus, it’s an amazing keepsake. Be sure to double check to make sure you have your locations correct!
2. Beautiful Jewelry for the Bride
Shop: treasures570
A bracelet, pair of earrings, ring (not her wedding band), a necklace… something special. Jewelry is never a copout, especially when you’ve put thought into it. If you’d like her to wear it on the big day, get some input from her mom or MOH. She may have already purchased her bridal accessories.
3. 'Just Married' Honeymoon Hat
Shop: ModParty
What better way to let the world she’s married than with this cute beach hat? If you two are honeymooning somewhere tropical, your wife will love this ‘just married’ hat. Plus, you may get some extra perks if people know you’re on your honeymoon!
4. Personalized ‘Mrs.’ Ring Dish
Shop: Simple Sentimental
If you two are opting for smaller gifts for the bride and groom gift exchange, this is perfect! This personalized ring dish will be a thoughtful gift to go along with her new ring.
5. Anything That Says “Wifey” or “Mrs.” On It
Shop: ModParty
You’ll find jewelry, T-shirts, coffee mugs, and so much more out there. Shop from trusted artists on Etsy and make sure you order anything custom-made well in advance.
6. Anniversary Journal
Shop: PenInkNeedleThread
A wedding gift that keeps on giving! Show your bride that you're looking forward to your future together. An anniversary book will be the perfect way for you to remember future celebrations of this special day. Start by filling out a page on your actual wedding day!
7. A Message on the Bottom of Her Shoes
Shop: DinkiDs
Steal her bridal shoes and add something sentimental. It could be a quote, lyrics, a short poem. “As we walk this journey from beginning to end, I’m glad to have my true love and best friend,” is a perfect saying. Warning: If your fiancé bought Louboutin’s or another pair of designer shoes, permanent marker may not be welcome. Grab these stickers instead!
8. Wedding Card for Your Bride
Shop: WeddingAffections
Whether you’re giving a gift or simply exchanging messages, a card is a must! Jot down the reasons why you love her, and everything you’re looking forward to during marriage. Your bride-to-be will be blown away by your thoughtfulness.
9. Personalized Wedding Spoons
Shop: HearthandTableCo
For if she loves to cook - or simply wants an adorable kitchen! This wedding gift for your bride will brighten any meal. I mean, just look at how cute these custom wooden spoons are.
Bride to Groom Gift Ideas:
We can't forget about gifts for the groom! Show your soon-to-be hubby that you care by choosing the perfect wedding gift for him. Here are some of our favorite unique wedding presents for the groom.
1. A Personalized Watch
Shop: BadgerWatches
Get him that fancy timepiece he’s always wanted! Maybe even a personalized pocket watch—dapper, no? Attach a little note to it that says, “See you at 3:00,” or whatever time you’re saying “I do.” You can even add a personal note on the inside of this watch below!
2. Leather Wallet for the Groom
Shop: ShenDoah
This gift for your groom doubles as sentimental and practical! This gorgeous engraved wallet will remind your hubby of this moment for years to come. This is one of our favorites!
3. Personalized ‘Property of’ Underwear
Shop: 78MagnoliaLane
If you’re on the hunt for a funny gift for your groom, these personalized undergarments will be a hoot! He’ll love the thoughtfulness, and get a kick out of the saying.
4. Custom Wedding Handkerchief for Groom
Shop: PeoniesandBells
If you’re looking to take a more traditional route, a wedding handkerchief is a must. You can personalize a heartfelt message for your husband to carry with him. This wedding keepsake will be passed on for generations to come!
5. Engraved Wedding Compass
Shop: HeirloomGiftsCO
Are you a couple that loves to travel? If so, this will be the perfect gift for your groom on the wedding day! Have a special message engraved into the compass to make it even more heartfelt.
6. Groom Wedding Survival Kit
Shop: WildFlowerOK
If you’re looking for a laugh, this ‘New Husband Survival Kit’ will do the trick. Fill this box with fun little gifts to make his day even more fun! What a perfect wedding day gift for your groom.
7. 'Cold Feet' Wedding Day Socks
Shop: NoColdFeetCo
Get your groom some socks - just in case he gets cold feet! This is a fun little gift for your groom that you know he'll appreciate. Plus, they're super cute!
8. Wedding Day Cufflinks
Shop: MonogramNecklace2014
Every man needs one nice pair of cufflinks, and you know he’ll cherish them forever. This wedding gift is both thoughtful and practical! What groom doesn't love that?
9. Personalized Cigar Humidor
Shop: MagicWoodShop
Give your husband an excuse to sit back and relax before the ceremony—he’ll thank you for it. Make this wedding present even cooler by personalizing it with wedding details!
Gift Exchange Ideas for the Groom or Bride:
But wait, there's more! Here are some wedding gifts that either the bride or groom can get for one another. You can either buy or DIY these creative wedding gift ideas.
1. Personalized Wedding Pillow
Shop: WillowCreekCompany
Let's be real - anything with your wedding date is something you instantly love! Show off your favorite day of the year with this personalized pillow. This makes for a great gift for the bride or groom.
2. Custom Wedding Mug
Shop: FrumpyAcres
For the adventurous couple, or any newlyweds heading for a mountainous honeymoon! This unique wedding gift will be an adorable keepsake. Plus, you know you'll use it!
3. Bucket List Book for Newlyweds
Shop: DragonForgedStudios
What better way to start out your life together than by writing down your hopes and dreams. Whether you want to travel the world or build a business together, map it out in this book! Having a bucket list together will keep you excited and motivated.
4. Engraved Wood Cutting Board
Shop: RusticFlitch
This is the perfect wedding gift for your soon-to-be spouse. It's especially great if they're a bit of a chef (or if you want them to be!) This personalized wedding gift for the husband or wife will look absolutely amazing in your kitchen.
5. DIY Love Story Scrapbook
Shop: TheCustomiseCompany
Create a scrapbook filled with memories. Notes, photos, movie stubs, plane tickets, and anything else that tells your love story. Your soon-to-be spouse is sure to get emotional.
6. Hand-Written Love Letter
Shop: WarwickSunday
A handwritten note is one of the easiest wedding gifts that often turns out to be the best. Save some money and simply let your fiancé know why you love them so much and can’t wait to spend the rest of your life with them. Find a 'to my bride' card here.
7. Night Sky of Your Wedding Night
Shop: OurLoveWasBorn
This thoughtful wedding gift will touch the heart of your significant other. Whether you choose the night you met, fell in love, or your wedding night - you can't go wrong! Pick a night that means a lot to the both of you, and reminisce about that night sky for years to come.
8. Custom Wedding Photo Drawing
Shop: PrettyPrintedCo
An adorable way to remember your wedding day! This custom wedding drawing is such a cute wedding gift for the bride and groom gift exchange. Your spouse will love this - and the fact that you can include your pet!
9. Personalized Wedding Whiskey Decanter Set
Shop: The WeddingPartyStore
If either or both of you are whiskey fiends, this makes for the perfect wedding gift! This personalized whiskey decanter set will be a fun way to celebrate your marriage.
10. Wedding Charcuterie Board
11. 'Reasons I Love You' Jar
Shop: DefineDesign11
For a sentimental wedding gift, consider this jar of 'reasons why I love you.' Your future husband or wife will be so touched by this thoughtful present.
12. Framed Wedding Vows
Shop: EmmaAndTheBean
Wedding vows are forever - so why not frame them? If you're looking for a unique wedding gift for the bride or groom, this is it! Framed wedding vows also make for a gorgeous decoration in your home together.
13. Engraved Beer Glasses
Shop: EverythingEngravedAZ
A little liquid courage never hurt anyone! Buy your bride or groom their favorite booze and a few personalized glasses to go with it. (This is especially great for couples who love to hit the breweries.) Personalized wine and beer glasses, growlers, flasks, and even whiskey barrels are available.
14. # of Days You’ve Loved Them
Shop: EmmaAndTheBean
It’s small, but sweet. Whether you include this in your letter, art, or whatever wedding day gift you decide to give them, letting them know how many days you’ve loved them will bring a tear to their eye.
15. Engraved Family Tree
Shop: MarkedMoments
With your marriage, two families are becoming one! Why not celebrate that with this custom family tree wedding gift? It's heartfelt and will remind you of family that came before you.
Are you ready for the bride and groom gift exchange?
Need some more help? Shop our selection of wedding presents >>




Love the night sky frame! My parents have one of their wedding night!
So many ideas, my brain!
Love this! I’ve been struggling to figure out what I want to get my guy.
Love all of these ideas, the shoes were great
Such a wonderful ideas can’t wait to surprise the bride.
This is so sweet.
The custom wedding photo is so beautiful and creative!!
The custom wedding photo is so beautiful and creative!!
I loved all the ideas , So many good options!
Loved the survival kit! My fiancé and I have a relationship full of humor so that’s great.
Love the cold feet socks idea how cute!
Definitely a great article and very helpful! I’ll be needing this help when it comes time to purchasing thoughtful gift for my husband to be!
All these are SO cute..now to make a choice.
Love all of these ideas very cute
Thanks for the ideas! Love it!
Thanks for the tips!
Love the survival kit box! Great idea!!
I love the personalized ring dish!
Such great ideas!. I can’t wait I want to give them all to my special person!! ❤️❤️❤️
Great ideas!
This is one thing I hope I can make very special. I live all of the ideas and I’m looking forward to picking and using the best one!
Definitely using a lot of these!!!
Definitely using a lot of these!!!
I love the idea of the anniversary journal
I love the idea of framed vows
These are great ideas..I love the message on the bottom of shoes by DunkiD’s!
Omg such great ideas! 😍
Love these ideas so much! Very helpful
I love the ‘story of us map’, so cute!
I love the idea of having a newlyweds bucket list!! Too cute!
Will definitely be using this for gift buying! Such cute ideas!
These gave me some great ideas!
I have been looking for the perfect gift for my bridesmaids I’ve gotten so many ideas just from this blog I’m so excited to continue my search and pick the perfect gifts!
Wedding gifts are very important rather than getting a gift that may already be given or a gift that is not useful to them. It will be great if the couple can create a wedding registry and we can also get it without any gifts being wasted. To know more check on : https://www.weddingwishlist.com/gift-registry
I’ve been looking for a perfect gift for my best friends wedding, I really like this idea. My best friend and her fiancee love to travel so maybe I will look for a perfect picture frame for them.
Thank you :)
I love the bucket list book. What better way to start your new life together?
Is it bad to forward this to my soon to be? ;) SO many good ideas!
Wow! what wonderful awesome Idea. It’s really so helpful for me.These fancy and wedding style reuses feels me glad.thanks for Sharing.
This is great! I didnt realize this was a thing so Im glad I read it!
I like the gift idea of anything that says wifey or hubby
This was very helpful. Fiancé didn’t know gifts were a thing so I’m sure he will look at this again.
Love the ideas!
I love the ‘Open Later’ letter ideas. I actually ordered cufflinks for a holiday gift so he can plan to wear them on our wedding day. One less thing he needs to coordinate and I know he would want something special.
These are great ideas! I think I have mine in mind, but it’s a secret!
These are such great ideas! I love the cufflinks!
awesome ideas thank you so much
This is the hardest part for me! My fiancé is wearing an engagement ring, so I’m giving him a watch as a ‘wedding band.’ Now I need to think of something else good for a gift!
Amazing ideas!! I never know what to get my fiancé and I’ve been stressing so much over what to get him for the wedding. This really helped!! Thank you.
I love all these ideas! I’ve been thinking about these for awhile.
I’m so glad I found this article. I wasn’t sure where to start with gift ideas for my fiancé but this article definitely gave me a good starting point. Hanks for the ideas!
Awesome ideas!! Thanks!
Cute ideas!
So cute!
This came at such a good time for me! Thanks for the ideas
Thank you for posting this blog! What great and unique ideas to think about to give my future husband!
I love the idea of stitching hidden messages onto clothing. It’s such a sweet gesture and special because only the two of you know about it.
So many good ideas! I love the little gifts through the day idea. I’m going to do that one, maybe custom watch as the topper! See you at 4 my love
Love the travel map and scrapbook ideas!
LOVE the idea of a watch for the groom’s gift! My fiancè is a total watch guy!
Such cute ideas! Thank you for the inspiration!
Wow, I love how personalized these are!
Thank you for these amazing ideas!!! I love the note on the watch and simple handwritten letters.
Some of these ideas are becoming more common but cute and classy nonetheless!
I personally love the idea of exchanging letters to read just before you see each other for the first time on your wedding day. Having letters to “open when…” is another great idea!
I can’t wait to put a few of these to use on our wedding day!!! Great ideas!
I love the “cold feet” sock idea! I might end up doing this one.
So many cute ideas!!
These are so helpful, and so cute. Sharing this with my fiancé, as I know hes going to have a hard time thinking of a gift hahaha. Thank youuu for sharing ?
It’s so hard to buy something for someone who goes out to buy things if they want it. This is a great article with great ideas.
I loved all of these ideas! Thank you Wedding shoppe for sharing! I have had multiple great experiences at the Wedding Shoppe!
Such good ideas!
Thank you Wedding Shoppe for such a wonderful experience! I love these ideas!
So many cute ideas!! I love the mugs :)
So many cute ideas here! thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the ideas!
We love traveling together so the scratch of map is such a perfect idea, thanks!!
I was just thinking about what to give my fiance… great advice!
These are some really great ideas!
Aww, I love these ideas. Is it too much to do them all! ;)
I love the mugs! Such a cute idea!
So many great gift ideas! My fiancée and I love to travel, so I love the scratch-off map idea!
Love these ideas!
I love the idea of little gifts throughout the day!
I love these ideas! My fiancé hates when I buy him gifts so it’s great to see many DIY-ish ideas. Meaningful and memorable.
I love love love this blog! My fiancé and I were thinking about doing custom gifts that we’d only get to see in person on our honeymoon- on the wedding day we were thinking we’d give each other small hints as to what was going to happen. We love surprises, so it’ll be exciting and fun!
Very awesome article! I love the diy photobook!
Even a pair of socks for the groom with a cute note is a good gift.
Very helpful! Love these ideas. Thank you!
This was great, I love the idea of the Hidden stitching in the tie it’s so unique and I also love the fact that I can show him this article to give him a few ideas for my presents as well ;)
I absolutely LOVE the idea of writing a message inside the band of a watch!! I also really, really like the idea of a bucket list book. This list is exactly what I have been looking for!
I’ve been looking for ideas and this is extremely helpful. :) I ended up with some cute little shoe stickers that say “SoulMates”… but the engraved watch is an absolute must have. He will cry… in a good way!
I often read your article for getting a clear idea. A Unique idea thanks for sharing. This post is really useful.
Looking for a gift. I love anything about “letters” or “words of expression” My husband surprised a beautiful glass love letter from EliteGlassCards. Something to cherish for a lifetime. Love the ideas and articles you have posted.
This is the first time I am seeing your full post.Very insightful and well-researched article.
It’s really helpful. Thank you so much for giving the important information.
Giftformenwomen
What does a third ring mean in a wedding set?
Looking for a present for my hubby and this post popped up. ^^ Dreamlines…. my husband gave me one of your sketches of my dress and his suit on our wedding day! It was a perfect gift. Love. Love. Love.
Very insightful and well-researched article.
Love your work, Sara! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Tom! You can find different versions of the frame on Etsy! I hope that helps! Thanks for reaching out!
was made by my Etsy shop CaraCrafty. Find my other work at www.etsy.com/shop/CaraCrafty
Can someone please link me to where I can get #17, the creative “met, engaged, married” frame?