The content in this blog post first appeared in my monthly newsletter in December of 2024. Sign up here for first access to more content like this!
Hi Friend!
Can you even believe that it’s already December?! I’m not sure if it is because the weather was so warm for so long this year, or because we had such a dry fall with poor colors, or because Thanksgiving is so late in the month, but I had a hard time getting into the holiday spirit this year. Luckily, that all changed when I got to go home to Texas for Thanksgiving, and now I am in full holiday mode!
And since I’m in holiday mode, I thought it would be so fun for this month’s wedding planning newsletter to do a sustainable gift guide – bride and groom edition! A while back I wrote a blog post on a similar topic, “How to Have A Sustainable Wedding Gift Registry”, but my recommendations for bride and groom gifts are so different that this topic deserves its own spotlight.
What are Bride and Groom Gifts?
First off, what even are bride and groom gifts? These are gifts that the engaged couple give to each other and are usually exchanged the night before the wedding or even on the wedding day. This is a chance to present your future spouse with a thoughtful gift that represents your love for them and your excitement for your upcoming marriage. It can be as small or as big as you want it to be; the important thing is not how much it costs, but how much thought you put into it. And of course, you know me, I had to make this list sustainable
Gift Guide
So here are my best recommendations, in no particular order:
Boudoir Photo Album
As a photographer, I am of course a huge fan of this option! One of my brides from a few years ago did this, and the album turned out so beautiful. Be sure to check out my blog post “Preparing for a Boudoir Photo Session: Expert Tips and Advice”, and if you would like to view the photos from her boudoir session, all you have to do is sign up for my monthly wedding planning newsletter and you will gain access to that gallery on the freebies page!
With the cost of the boudoir session in addition to the cost of a high quality album, the price for this option can definitely be on the higher side. That’s why with my wedding and elopement photography packages I have options for bundling additional sessions at a discount, and a boudoir session can definitely be one of those sessions! Check out my Pricing Guide for more info.
Sustainability
Sustainability isn’t just about deprivation. Buying high quality products that will last for generations is way more sustainable than purchasing a lower quality (lower price) product. Read my blog post on prints and albums for more information!
Handwritten Love Letter
There is nothing more romantic than a handwritten love letter. It will be something your spouse can save and reread for years to come. Bonus points if you write it on quality stationary.
Vendor Upgrade
Now don’t get me wrong, I would never recommend changing something major about your wedding day without talking to your partner. But maybe there is an aspect of your wedding day that you and your fiance decided to scale back on due to budget that you know they were really wanting, so you decide to gift it to them as a surprise. This could be adding extra hours of photography coverage, hiring a videographer, hiring a live musician for the ceremony music, etc.
If you don’t know where to start when searching for Wedding vendors, I have a few blog posts to help! Check out “Keywords to Search for Wedding Vendors”, “How to Find Your Perfect Photographer”, and “How to Choose Elopement Vendors”.
Honeymoon Experience
I absolutely love all of the gift options that I’ve listed here, but I think this one is my top favorite. I am such a huge fan of experience gifts, so this is right up my alley!
A few ideas include booking a couples massage or spa treatment, upgrading your flight to first class, scheduling a class such as dance or scuba, or planning an excursion like a helicopter tour or a sunset catamaran cruise. Of course, your honeymoon destination will largely dictate the options you have.
Heirloom Jewelry
There’s something so classy about giving your partner an engraved watch or high quality jewelry on your wedding day. That piece will always be cherished as “the one you gave me on our wedding day” and can be handed down from generation to generation. *Bonus sustainability points if you buy it secondhand*
Final Thoughts
I truly can’t say this enough, but the gift you give is not as important as the thought behind it. This is by no means an extensive list, but my hope is that it will at least get your creative juices flowing. Just know that whatever you give your partner for their bride or groom gift, they will love it because they love you and they know that you have given it lots of thought.
*All my blog posts contain a selection of images that I’ve taken. If you are interested in booking a wedding or session with me, I am more than happy to send you a full gallery upon request!
I’m a wife, a dog mom, a foodie, a wanderer, a registered nurse, and a couples/intimate wedding/elopement photographer … and this blog will cover it all! If you enjoyed this post, first of all thank you, and second of all please follow me on Instagram + Facebook and sign up for my monthly newsletter to get exclusive wedding planning advice and access to all of my new (and old) freebies! If you have any questions about elopement photography, my journey from nursing to photography, or my time spent as a full-time RVer, drop a comment and I just might write a blog post answering your question (but I definitely will)!
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