Nicole’s Got a Question: “What Wedding Gifts Should I Buy for My Parents?”
Spoiler alert: if you are Nicole’s dad or future in-laws, CLICK AWAY. On the off chance that I do happen to pick something she thinks might be perfect, I would so dearly hate to ruin the surprise! Stop scrolling. Stop it! Click away! Resist temptation!
Okay, so if you aren’t Nicole’s future in-laws: do not click away. I have a feeling I’m going to need all the help I can get-- I mean, you were there the last time I tried to answer one of Nicole’s pressing wedding questions and you saw how THAT went. She’s really stumped me this time, leaving this in my inbox to find: "What should I buy for my dad!?!?!?!!? And mother-in-law?"
I’ll concede that Nicole is definitely not the first person to ever ask a question like this. When you Google “wedding gifts for parents,” over 322,000,000 results pop up. Uh… because that much information seems a bit ridiculous to sort through-- especially when you’ve got a whole wedding to plan!-- I’ve taken it upon myself to narrow things down. Fingers crossed that together, we manage to find something that sparks Nicole’s imagination!
Wedding Gifts for Your Mom & Mother-in-Law:
As with any gift, the more personalized the present is, the better. Try to consider the personality of the giftee before making any decisions! Is your mom likely to tear up mid-ceremony? Etsy has lots of great options for embroidered handkerchiefs. A thoughtful message from you is sure to get the waterworks going.
DIY Handkerchief Tags via SomethingTurquoise
If you want to surprise your mom and mother-in-law with something special to walk down the aisle with, consider gifting them jewelry that coordinates with yours. Do you have pearls in your belt? Think freshwater pearl earrings! Did they pass down a necklace or bracelet to you as your “something old?” Get them something new and have a bracelet engraved!
Custom Mugs via Mugsby
Are the ladies in your life not much for jewelry? It’s all good! Ditch the custom jewelry boxes and get them an engraved glass or custom mug instead. They’ll think of you every time they sip their morning tea or evening wine! You might even have a label made to wrap around their favorite bottle of wine-- you can even find a bottle for your parents to share from their anniversary year.
Custom Wine Labels via Label With Love
If your mom is anything like mine, she is all about a cute container. Pack their gifts into a basket that they can reuse for anything they want. It may even end up being their favorite part of the present!
Wedding Gifts for Your Dad & Father-in-Law:
I can’t be the only one who finds their dad absolutely impossible to shop for. I can’t even begin to imagine what I would get my dad as a wedding present, so I completely understand why Nicole might be a little lost as well. I do know one thing, though: dads always appreciate the opportunity to embrace their soft side. Your dad might be a tough guy mine on the outside, but trust me… they’re practically filled with Build-a-Bear stuffing when it comes to your big day.
Tie via Shannah J. Smith
So it goes without saying, then, that the dads in your life would doubtless appreciate an embroidered handkerchief, too! Think of the teary-eyed look he’s gonna give you when he first sees you in that wedding gown.
If your dad is always running behind-- or always 15 minutes earlier than he needs to be, just like mine-- keep him on schedule with an engraved watch. Match the metal to some custom cufflinks and you’ve got one fly detail shot. There’s also a whole wide world of tie options out there. To make this accessory EXTRA special, hand write a teeny-tiny note or draw something funny on the flipside just to make him smile!
Keep it cool by getting him a cooler complete with a custom-designed sticker that matches the theme of your wedding. Want to get major bonus points with your bonus dad? Gift it pre-stocked with his favorite beverage of choice and an engraved bottle opener. You’re the fishing trip hero!
Engraved Hammer via CarolinaHighCotton
Got a handyman in the fam? You guessed it: you can TOTALLY get tools customized too. What dad doesn’t love a toolbox of his own?! It’s a great excuse for your hubby to get him over to help with check off those honey-do’s, too.
Wedding Gifts Perfect for Both Parents:
If you’re looking to get something perfect for both presents and can stand to wait until after your honeymoon to get the ball rolling, you might want to consider pressing some flowers from your ceremony and including them with a handwritten note in a custom-made shadow box for their mantle or wall. Want to keep it lively? Get them a plant that they can nurture and grow-- just like they nurtured you as you were growing up! You could even put it in a pot that you and your fiance painted yourself.
Frame via Beach House Dreams Home
Let’s be real here: your parents were an instrumental part in making your big day happen. They deserve to be pampered! Stock them a kit with their favorite snacks, a nice bottle of wine, candles, some robes, slippers, and a pair of fluffy socks for some post-wedding R&R sesh.
If all else fails, look for decor. Keychains, coasters, and wall art are great go-tos if you want to gift your parents with something that will make them think of you every time they walk past. (And yes-- you can also get ALL of those things customized. Isn’t the internet a great place?!)
Flower Pot via Flowers in December