Tag: wedding gifts

A The Wedding Painters wedding gift card, also called a wedding gift voucher in the UK, is a gift towards a couple’s own wedding art. TheWeddingPainters is a marketplace of independent wedding artists in the UK, Europe and the USA. You choose the amount and when it arrives, and the couple put it towards eligible wedding art with an artist on the site, to bring an original piece to life. It is built for groups as well as individuals. Typical guests give £76 to £100 for a close friend in the UK and $130 to $150 in the US, so most people reach a bigger gift by pooling.

• Give together. Make the first contribution, then invite up to 20 friends and family by email. Ten people giving £50 or $50 each give £500 or $500.
• The couple choose. They pick the artist and the piece, so you never have to guess their taste.
• Easy to send. Send it straight away or schedule an exact date and time. For a group gift you can also decide later. You don’t need an account to buy.
• Nothing is wasted. Unused credit stays on the card, and several gift cards can go towards one booking.
• Worth knowing. A gift card doesn’t reserve a date or guarantee a particular artist, and gift credit and the booking must be in the same currency.

At a glance

What it is	A gift towards eligible wedding art with an artist on TheWeddingPainters
Who can buy it	Anyone, as a guest, with no account
Who uses it	The couple, who choose the artist and arrange the booking
Group gifts	One person starts it and invites up to 20 people by email
Delivery	After payment is verified, or at an exact date, time and time zone. Group gifts can decide later.
Currency	Gift credit and the booking must be in the same currency. It isn’t converted.
Unused credit	Stays on the card
Not included	It doesn’t reserve a date or guarantee a particular artist
Terms	See the terms and conditions

How a wedding gift card works

TheWeddingPainters is a marketplace of independent wedding artists, from live painters and guest illustrators to artists who paint from wedding photos, across the UK, Europe and the USA. The gift card turns that into a present anyone can give.

1. Choose the amount and write a message. Pick what you want to give and add a few words of your own.
2. Choose who it is for and when it arrives. Enter your own email for purchase updates and the couple’s email for their gift. Send it after payment is verified, or schedule an exact date, time and time zone. Choosing a delivery date doesn’t set or change a wedding date.
3. Check and pay. You’ll see the recipient, amount and delivery details before you pay. You can buy as a guest, with no account.
4. The couple choose their artist. They put the gift towards eligible wedding art with an artist on the site, so the choice of style and piece is theirs.
5. They book. The couple arrange the booking with the artist. Artist availability, the chosen service and the booking terms still apply, and a gift card doesn’t reserve a date or guarantee a particular artist.

For wedding art ideas, see our UK studio commissions or US studio commissions.

Why a gift card works as a wedding gift

Gift cards have a reputation for being impersonal, and a generic store card can be. What changes that is where the card points. A card towards a couple’s own wedding art points at something lasting, and the couple choose it themselves.

If this is your problem	How the gift card helps
They have everything	It goes towards wedding art, something they are unlikely to buy for themselves.
You don’t know their taste	The couple choose the artist and the piece.
The gift you’d like to give costs more than you can spend	Friends and family give together, so the total reaches the bigger gift.
You can’t be at the wedding, or live far away	You buy online without an account and schedule the exact date it arrives.
You’d rather not give cash	It gives the money a purpose, and the couple get to enjoy choosing.
You’re giving after the wedding	A gift card works at any stage, from the engagement to the weeks and months after the wedding.

In The Knot’s guest data, about 10% of US guests give a gift card, against 40% who give cash and 50% who give a physical gift. A gift card with a clear purpose stands out.

Giving together: how a group gift works

A group gift turns several small gifts into one that means something. Five separate gift cards of £100 or $100 are five nice gestures. Pooled, they are a single gift of £500 or $500 that the couple can put towards a real piece of art.

1. One person starts it. Choose a group gift and make the first contribution.
2. Invite the others. Add up to 20 email addresses, or skip invitations for now and add them later.
3. Everyone gives in the same currency. Contributions are pooled in the currency of the gift.
4. Choose how it is delivered. Group gifting and delivery are separate choices. You can send the card now, schedule it for an exact date, or decide later.

Here are two examples. The maths is the same in pounds and dollars.

• In the UK: ten friends each give £50, and together they give £500.
• In the US: eight friends each give $125, and together they give $1,000.

For a bigger gift, add more people. Twenty friends giving £50 each give £1,000, and you can invite up to 20 people by email.

A few tips for the person organising it. Agree a rough share before you invite anyone, so no one feels pressed to give more than they can. Start a few weeks before the wedding so people have time to join. And keep the group to the people who would otherwise each give a gift, so the group gift replaces several small ones instead of adding to them.

How much to put on a wedding gift card

Give what you would give in any other form. A gift card isn’t a smaller or bigger gift, just a different way of giving the same amount. Here is what guests typically spend in each market.

	UK	US
Typical close friend or family	The median Briton says £76 to £100 (YouGov, August 2026)	About $160 on close friends and family (The Knot)
Typical average	£87 on a physical gift and £102 on cash (Prezola, 2024)	$150 (The Knot, 2024) or $130 (Zola’s 2026 survey, via SoFi)
Less close or a coworker	£26 to £50 (YouGov)	$75 to $100 (Zola, via Scripps News)
Gifts above £150	Fewer than 3% of guests (Bloom & Wild, June 2025)	Not measured the same way

If you want to give more than your share, give with others. Ten people giving £100 or $100 each give £1,000 or $1,000. That is a gift most guests could never give alone, from a group of people who each gave a normal amount.

When to give a wedding gift card

Occasion	How it can work
Engagement	An early gift the couple can keep for when they plan the day and choose their wedding art.
The wedding	Schedule it to arrive on the day, with a card you write yourself.
Bridal or wedding shower	Gifts are expected at a shower, so a smaller card here pairs well with a larger gift at the wedding.
Anniversary	A gift they can put towards art that marks the day, years after the wedding.
From parents or the wider family	Invite up to 20 relatives to give together, and send it as one gift from the whole family.
From the wedding party	Friends who would each give a small gift can pool one larger gift instead.
You can’t attend	Buy online without an account and schedule the exact date it arrives.

If you are splitting a budget across an engagement party, shower and wedding, a common rule is 20% for the engagement, 20% for the shower and 60% for the wedding. See our guide to what is a good wedding gift for more ideas.

What to write in a wedding gift card

A few warm lines make a gift card feel chosen. Keep it short, say why you are giving it, and use your own words where you can. These are starting points to adapt.

Situation	Message
The wedding	To two people who make the rest of us believe in it. Choose something beautiful, and enjoy every minute of the day.
From a group	From all of us who love you both. We each gave a little so you could have something that lasts. Pick the piece that feels like you.
Engagement	Congratulations! This is for the day to come, so you can choose something that holds a little of it forever.
You can’t attend	We’re sorry not to be there in person, but we’re raising a glass from afar. Please put this towards something that reminds you of the day.
Anniversary	Happy anniversary. Here’s to the day, and to every day since. Choose something to remember it by.
From parents	With all our love. Your day, your artist, your choice.

Gift card, cash or registry?

None of these is wrong. In The Knot’s guest data, about 50% of US guests give a physical gift, 40% give cash and 10% give a gift card. Here is where each one fits.

Option	Best when	Worth knowing
Cash	The couple are saving for a home or honeymoon, or have said they’d like it.	It is easy, but it carries no story and is quickly absorbed into everyday spending.
A registry gift	The couple have a list and you want to be sure of their taste.	In a UK survey, 58% of guests said they don’t stick to the registry anyway.
A store or prepaid gift card	You want flexibility and speed.	It can feel impersonal, and some cards are limited to one shop.
A TheWeddingPainters gift card	You want to give something lasting and personal without choosing it, or you want to give with a group.	It can only go towards wedding art on the site, and it doesn’t reserve a date or a particular artist.

If the couple has asked for cash towards a specific goal, respect that. If they haven’t, a gift card towards something lasting is a gift they will remember.

How to choose the right wedding gift card

The right card depends on what you know about the couple and what you want the gift to say.

If you…	Consider	Watch for
Know where the couple shops	A card for that shop	It can only be spent there
Know little about their tastes	A flexible prepaid Visa or Mastercard card	Purchase fees and expiry dates, which vary by card
Are in the UK and want to give a day out	An experience voucher, such as the Newlywed Experience Voucher from Red Letter Days, seen at £99.99 on 20 October 2026	What is available depends on the experience chosen
Want to give something lasting and personal	A TheWeddingPainters gift card, towards wedding art the couple choose	It only goes towards eligible wedding art on the site
Want to give more than your own share	A group gift, such as a TheWeddingPainters group gift card	Everyone gives in the same currency

Frequently asked questions

What is a wedding gift card?

A wedding gift card is a gift of money the couple can spend on something specific. A TheWeddingPainters gift card goes towards eligible wedding art with an artist on the site, and the couple choose the artist and the piece. In the UK you may also hear it called a gift voucher.

Is a gift card an acceptable wedding gift?

Yes. Cash and gift cards are both widely accepted as wedding gifts. A card with a clear purpose, and a few warm words from you, feels more considered than a generic one.

What is the best wedding gift card?

It depends on the couple. A store card suits a couple whose shops you know, and a flexible prepaid card suits one you don’t. A TheWeddingPainters gift card suits a giver who wants something lasting and personal, or a group that wants to give together. See the table above.

How do I make a gift card feel personal?

Write a few warm lines of your own, say what you hope they’ll use it for, and have it arrive on the day. Pairing it with a small physical gift, such as a bottle of wine or a frame, also helps.

How much should I put on a wedding gift card?

About what you would give in any other form. Typical guests spend $130 to $150 in the US and £76 to £100 on a close friend in the UK. See the table above.

Can several people give one gift card?

Yes. One person starts a group gift and makes the first contribution, then invites up to 20 people by email. Everyone gives in the same currency.

Do I need an account to buy one?

No. You can buy as a guest. You’ll see the recipient, amount and delivery details before you pay.

When will the couple receive it?

You can send it once payment is verified or schedule an exact date, time and time zone. For a group gift you can decide later. Payment checks can delay delivery, including scheduled gifts, so buy a few days before you need it to arrive.

What can the couple use it for?

Eligible wedding art with an artist on TheWeddingPainters. They choose the artist and arrange the booking. A gift card doesn’t reserve a date or guarantee a particular artist.

What if the booking costs less than the gift card?

The rest stays on the card. Several gift cards can also go towards one booking, as long as they are in the same currency.

Can the couple use it in a different currency?

No. Gift credit and the booking must be in the same currency, and it isn’t converted.

Do gift cards expire, and can they be refunded?

Check the terms and conditions for validity and refund details.

How we put this guide together

The description of how the gift card works comes from the live gift cards page and its terms, read on 20 October 2026. Spending figures come from the surveys linked in the text, and we’ve kept the UK and US figures separate because they measure different things. TheWeddingPainters has no affiliate links, and nothing in this guide is sponsored.

Sources:

• TheWeddingPainters: gift cards
• The Knot: how much to spend on a wedding gift
• SoFi: how much money to give as a wedding gift (reports Zola’s 2026 survey)
• Scripps News: wedding and graduation gift spend
• YouGov: The Big Survey on Weddings
• Bloom & Wild: how much should you spend on a wedding gift
• Prezola: how much to give for a wedding gift

Quick answer

A luxury wedding gift in the UK starts at about £250, and from £1,000 upwards it is usually given by a group. The median Briton thinks £76 to £100 is right for a couple they’re close to, so most people reach luxury by pooling. Ten guests giving £100 each give £1,000.

The simplest way to do that is a TheWeddingPainters gift card, a group gift towards the couple’s own wedding art:

• Start it, then invite others. Make the first contribution, then invite up to 20 friends and family by email, now or later.
• Reach £1,000 or more together. Everyone contributes in the same currency, so ten people at £100 or twenty at £50 put £1,000 towards their wedding art.
• The couple choose their artist. They put the gift towards eligible wedding art with an artist on the site, so it is something they actually want.
• You choose when it arrives. Send it straight away or schedule an exact date and time. For a group gift you can also decide later. You don’t need an account to buy.
• Nothing is wasted. Unused credit stays on the card, and several gift cards can go towards one booking.

Prefer to choose the gift yourself? The picks below run from a £265 leather album to a hand-painted portrait from £1,499.

What counts as a luxury wedding gift?

In the UK, a luxury wedding gift starts at about £250 and is at its most generous from £1,000 upwards. Those lines are ours, but the spending data backs them. The median Briton thinks £76 to £100 is right for a couple they’re close to, and fewer than 3% of guests spend more than £150 on a gift.

So a £250 gift is two to three times what a close friend typically gives, and a £1,000 gift is around ten times. Luxury at that level is either something a few very close people give, such as parents or siblings, or something a group gives together.

• £250 to £1,000: an heirloom-quality object, such as a handbound leather album, a pair of Baccarat flutes or a Fortnum & Mason hamper.
• £1,000 and above: a hand-painted portrait of the wedding, or a wine cellar to start a collection.

Every pick below is chosen independently. There are no affiliate links, and nothing here is sponsored.

What UK guests actually spend

Three recent UK sources give a consistent picture. Most guests give far less than £250.

Source	Finding
YouGov Big Survey on Weddings (1,784 UK adults, August 2026)	The median Briton says £76 to £100 is right for a couple you’re close to, and £26 to £50 for a couple you’re less close to.
Bloom & Wild with Censuswide (2,001 UK adults, June 2025)	The most common spend is £25 to £49 (33%). Under 3% spend more than £150. 76% would rather choose something personal than stick to a registry.
Prezola (its own gift lists, 2024)	Guests spent £87 on average on a physical gift and £102 on cash.

That is why a luxury gift is usually a shared one. Ten close friends giving £100 each, which is right in the middle of YouGov’s range, can give £1,000. Alone, none of them would reach it.

Luxury wedding gifts from £250 to £1,000

These suit a close friend, a sibling or a small group. Each is made to last, and none is the kind of thing a couple usually buys for themselves.

Gift	What it is	Price
Aspinal of London leather wedding album	A 14-inch album handbound in England from full-grain leather, with 50 acid-free pages and silk ribbon markers. Names and the wedding date can be added.	£265 at The Wedding Shop
Fortnum & Mason The Marylebone Hamper	A wicker hamper with Blanc de Blancs champagne, Fleurie, preserves, honey and a musical biscuit tin.	£285 at The Wedding Present Company
Baccarat Harcourt Eve champagne flutes	A pair of French crystal flutes with a hexagonal foot and a blue or red knob, made to be handed down.	£440 at Harrods
Berry Bros. & Rudd, The Luxury Wedding Gift	Three bottles in a wooden box, each timed for an anniversary: Bollinger Special Cuvée for year one, Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape for year three and Le Clarence de Haut-Brion for year five.	[Check price on the page]

The album is the quietest of the four, and often the one a couple ends up treasuring most. It holds the photographs from the day, and it improves with handling. The Berry Bros. box suits couples who enjoy wine. It gives them something to look forward to on three separate anniversaries.

Luxury wedding gifts from £1,000 upwards

At this level the gift is usually from parents, siblings or a group. These are the ones worth the money.

A hand-painted portrait of their wedding day

An artist paints the couple’s favourite wedding photo by hand, as an original piece for their wall. You don’t need the couple’s help. Use a photo from the photographer’s preview, social media or another guest, and ask the artist to deliver to you or straight to the couple. If it’s a surprise, tell the artist so they don’t contact anyone else. Three of our UK artists start above £1,000. Prices were checked on 13 October 2026.

Artist	Style	From
Dorian	Classical or highly realistic oil portraits. A member of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers. Detailed pieces can take up to three months.	£1,499
Jacob	Oil, from soft and dreamlike to finely detailed. Based in Shropshire.	£1,950
Rob	Oil and acrylic, professionally framed, with more than 20 years of private commissions. Can travel overseas.	£3,000

Most of our artists say four to six weeks, so order well ahead of an anniversary or a deadline. You pay a deposit, usually 30% to 50%, through TheWeddingPainters, and the rest when the painting is done. See all ten UK artists on our studio commissions page, or read our guide to commissioning a wedding portrait.

Other gifts at this level

Gift	What it is	Price
Berry Bros. & Rudd, Gift of a Cellar	A fine wine collection started with a fine wine specialist, including an appointment at the shop at 3 St James’s Street in London. Reported by The Drinks Business at three price points.	£2,500, £5,000 or £10,000 [check current price]
Fortnum & Mason, The Sovereign Hamper	A 58-item hamper with vintage champagne, whisky, truffles and puddings. It was Fortnum’s top Christmas hamper in 2025.	£2,500 [check the 2026 range]

Luxury personalised wedding gifts

Personalisation is what turns an expensive object into a gift. In the Bloom & Wild survey, 76% of guests would rather choose something personal than follow a registry. The same survey found that finding something personal and thoughtful is guests’ biggest worry, at 32%.

The most useful rule is to personalise things that last. Aspinal’s leather albums can be embossed in gold foil with the couple’s names and the date, and the result stays on a shelf for decades. A hamper is eaten and a bottle is drunk, so the personal touch there is the card you write.

The most personal luxury gift of all is a painting of their own wedding, because no one else has it. It’s the only gift on this page made from the couple’s own photograph, and it can be given by someone who wasn’t at the wedding at all. For anything above £1,000, it is the gift that is hardest to find anywhere else.

How to give a £1,000 gift as a group

Here is what each person pays toward a portrait from the artists above, split between 8, 10, 15 or 20 people. Amounts are rounded to the nearest pound, and delivery is extra where the artist charges for it.

People chipping in	£1,000	£1,499 (Dorian)	£1,950 (Jacob)
8	£125	£187	£244
10	£100	£150	£195
15	£67	£100	£130
20	£50	£75	£98

Twenty people giving about £98 each buys a £1,950 oil portrait, and that share sits inside YouGov’s £76 to £100 range for a close friend.

Using a TheWeddingPainters gift card

If you’d rather the couple chose their own artist, a TheWeddingPainters gift card puts your gift towards eligible wedding art. You choose the amount, add a message and pick when it arrives. You don’t need an account to buy one.

For a group, make the first contribution and invite up to 20 people by email, or add invitations later. The couple then use the gift towards a booking with an artist on the site. A few details are worth knowing:

• The couple choose the artist and arrange the booking. A gift card doesn’t reserve a date or guarantee a particular artist.
• Several gift cards can go towards one booking, as long as they are in the same currency.
• If a booking costs less than the available credit, the rest stays on the card.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a luxury wedding gift in the UK?

Starting at about £250. That is two to three times what most close friends give, and the point where a gift is clearly a step up. From £1,000 upwards, a gift is usually from parents, siblings or a group.

What is a good luxury wedding gift for a couple who have everything?

Something they would not buy for themselves and will keep: a handbound leather album, a pair of crystal flutes, a case of wine timed for their anniversaries, or a hand-painted portrait of their wedding.

Can a group give a luxury wedding gift?

Yes, and it is the most common way to reach one. Ten people giving £100 each give £1,000. See the table above for what each person pays toward a portrait.

Can I give a painting of their wedding without the couple knowing?

Yes. Send the artist a photo from the photographer’s preview or from a guest, tell them it’s a surprise, and choose whether it is delivered to you or to the couple.

How long does a wedding portrait take?

Most of our artists say four to six weeks. Detailed oil portraits can take up to three months, so order early if you have a date in mind.

What is a luxury personalised wedding gift?

Anything made for the couple rather than bought off the shelf. A leather album embossed with their names and date is one example, and a painting of their own wedding is the most personal.

Should I check the couple’s gift list first?

Yes. Many couples have one, and luxury items are often on it. If you go off-list, choose something lasting.

In short, the best engagement gifts are the ones a couple will still be using or looking at years from now. For the home, a David Austin rose to plant costs between £24 and £35, and a Welsh wool throw from Melin Tregwynt is a bigger present that a group can give together. For a memory, a painting made from their engagement photographs is the gift they are likely to keep longest. If you would rather give something to do, wedding dance lessons or a hotel stay suit a couple who already have plenty of things.

Many engagement gift lists are long and sorted by price, and a lot of the suggestions, such as candles and champagne flutes, are things a couple may well be given several times over. This guide is shorter and sorted by what the gift becomes afterwards: something for the home, something that holds a memory, or something to do together before the wedding.

Every product here is one we would be glad to receive, and each link goes straight to the seller. We do not use affiliate links and nothing in this guide is sponsored. Prices were checked on 19 October 2026 and can change, so look at the seller’s page before you buy.

Do you have to give a gift when someone gets engaged?

No. An engagement gift is a kind gesture and not an obligation, and a handwritten card is a perfectly good way to say congratulations. Bridebook’s engagement gift guide puts a typical spend for friends and family at between £15 and £40, and says a card is enough for colleagues and acquaintances. The larger gift is usually saved for the wedding itself.

There is no fixed moment to give one. Some people send a present when they hear the news, and others wait for a celebration. If you have been invited to an engagement party, our guide to engagement party gift ideas covers what to bring on the night.

Gifts for the home they will keep

A David Austin rose

The roses in David Austin’s wedding anniversary collection cost between £24 and £35 each. A rose such as Olivia Rose Austin marks the engagement and then keeps growing, so it suits a couple who have just bought their first home, or who have a patio and a few large pots. Potted roses can be bought all year round, and bare root roses are delivered from November to April, which makes this a good gift to order now for winter planting. Standard delivery is £4.95 and usually arrives within five working days.

A Welsh wool throw from Melin Tregwynt

Melin Tregwynt weaves wool throws and blankets at its mill in Castlemorris, Pembrokeshire. Its classic tapestry designs are reversible, and the mill describes its wool as hard wearing and easy to care for, which is what you want from something that will sit on a sofa for a decade. Prices depend on the design and size. A 120 x 200cm throw was listed at around £185 and a larger, made to order throw at around £380, so this is a present for a group to give together or for close family. The mill says despatch takes five to seven working days.

Gifts that hold the memory

A painting made from their engagement photographs

If the couple have had an engagement shoot, or have one photograph they love, the picture already exists and a painting turns it into something to hang. At The Wedding Painters, couples commission original portraits from independent artists, and artists will work from engagement photographs as well as wedding ones. Our portrait commissions page shows commissions from £450 to £3,000 (checked on 13 October 2026), and a piece typically takes four to six weeks, depending on the artist. Our guide to how to commission a wedding portrait painting explains the process.

If you would like to start smaller, Hannah offers a wedding gift package from £355 that pairs a digital portrait with a matching card design. Patrick paints wedding photo commissions in watercolour from £599, and Amber paints realistic oil portraits from £500. If the party is what you are buying for, our engagement party gift ideas guide covers guest illustrators.

The Wedding Painters gift card

You do not have to choose the artist or the photograph. The Wedding Painters gift card is digital and starts at £25 (or $25 in the US). It can be used with any artist on the platform, for a live painting, a commission or an illustration, and it works in any country. You can have it delivered to the couple on a date of your choosing, send it to yourself, or print it and put it in a card.

It also works as a group gift. If ten people each give £50, that is £500 towards a commission, and the couple choose their own artist and piece. On a £1,000 commission, the card covers £500 of it. To collect the contributions, you can send round an email that invites people to chip in, or share a link that anyone can use to add their share.

A card can be worth more than the commission it is used for. If it is, the balance stays on the card and can go towards a later commission or booking. Cards stay valid for five years, so there is no pressure to use one by a particular date.

Gifts for the two of them to do together

Wedding dance lessons

Wedding Day Dance sells gift vouchers for three, four or five 90-minute lessons, priced at £285, £370 and £450. Lessons take place across the UK, either at the couple’s home or in a studio. You download the voucher after checkout, and the couple scan its QR code to arrange dates and a location. It must be used within 24 months and at least ten weeks before the wedding, so it suits a couple who have a date in mind but have not yet thought about the first dance. At these prices it is a good present for close family or a group.

A hotel stay with Mr & Mrs Smith

The Mr & Mrs Smith e-gift card is emailed as soon as you order it, and you can send it to yourself or straight to the recipient. It can be used for hotel and villa bookings made within 24 months of purchase. Mr & Mrs Smith’s own terms say gift cards cannot be redeemed when booking directly with a hotel, so the couple book through Mr & Mrs Smith. It suits a couple who would like a weekend away before wedding planning takes over.

Choosing by who is giving

Friends

Bridebook’s guidance is that friends typically spend between £15 and £40. A David Austin rose, at £24 to £35, fits that range. If you are one of several friends, you can also pool your money and give one larger present instead of several small ones.

Family and parents

Close family often spend more, and the wedding is a natural moment for a larger gift. Dance lessons suit a larger budget. A commission, or a contribution towards one, is a gift we see parents give before the wedding.

A group

A group is where the bigger gifts become possible. A Melin Tregwynt throw, a package of dance lessons or a group Wedding Painters gift card all work well when ten people share the cost. Our guide to group wedding gifts explains how to organise one without it becoming awkward.

Colleagues and acquaintances

A card is enough. Bridebook says the same.

What to skip

In our view, it is worth skipping anything the couple are likely to be given several times over, such as candles and champagne flutes. It is also worth skipping anything printed with their married name or the wedding date, because plans change and not every couple take the same name. If you are not sure what they would like, a gift that lets them choose, such as a Wedding Painters gift card, is a safer bet than a guess.

If you are choosing a Christmas present for a recently engaged couple, our guide to Christmas gift ideas for a couple covers gifts sorted by budget, and the ideas there will not repeat the ones here.

Frequently asked questions

What are good engagement gift ideas?

Something the couple will keep or use, rather than another gift they have to find room for. A rose to plant, a Welsh wool throw, or a painting made from their engagement photographs are all gifts that last. If you would rather give an experience, wedding dance lessons or a hotel stay work well.

What do you give an engaged couple?

A card is always welcome, and a small gift is a kind extra. For friends and family, Bridebook’s guidance is to spend between £15 and £40. If you are giving as part of a group, you can spend more between you and choose something larger, such as a contribution towards a commission.

What are good engagement gift ideas for friends?

A David Austin rose is a good fit for a friend’s budget and gives them something to plant in their first home together. If several friends are giving, a group gift towards a painting or a Welsh wool throw is a stronger present than several smaller ones.

How much should you spend on an engagement gift?

Bridebook’s guidance is that friends and family typically spend between £15 and £40, and that a card is enough for colleagues and acquaintances. Close family often spend more. Pooling with others is a common way to give something bigger, and our guide to group wedding gifts explains how.

Can you give an engagement gift as a group?

Yes. A group gift card lets everyone chip in towards a commission. Contributions are collected either through an email invitation or through a shared link.

Can an artist paint from engagement photos?

Yes. Artists on The Wedding Painters will paint from engagement photographs in their studio, as well as from wedding photographs. Commissions run from £450 to £3,000 (checked on 13 October 2026) and a piece typically takes four to six weeks.

How does the Wedding Painters gift card work?

It is digital and starts at £25 or $25. You can use it with any artist on the platform for live painting, commissions or illustrations, in any country. You can send it to the couple on a date you choose, send it to yourself, or print it. It stays valid for five years, and any balance left after a booking stays on the card.

Do you need to buy both an engagement gift and a wedding gift?

Not necessarily. Many people give a card or a small present for the engagement and save the larger gift for the wedding.

In short, the best Christmas gift for a couple is something they can use or enjoy together. Under £40, a pair of Le Creuset mugs or a Papier photo book is a safe choice. From £40 to £100, a personalised bottle of Fortnum & Mason champagne or a larger photo book works well. Above £100, an Art Pass for two or a pasta class for two are both options, and a group gift towards a painting gives the couple something to keep.

Buying a Christmas gift for a couple is harder than buying for one person. You are choosing for two tastes at once, and if they are newly engaged or newly married, they have probably been given a fair few candles and champagne flutes already. This guide sorts ideas by what you want to spend, from a small present under £40 to a group gift towards a painting they will keep.

Every product here is one we would be glad to receive, and each link goes straight to the seller. We do not use affiliate links and nothing in this guide is sponsored. Prices were checked on 19 October 2026 and can change, so look at the seller’s page before you buy.

Do you need to give an engaged couple a Christmas gift?

You do not have to. Engagement gifts are optional, and a handwritten card is a perfectly good way to say congratulations. Bridebook’s engagement gift guide puts a typical spend at between £15 and £40 for friends and family, and notes that the gift for the wedding itself is usually the larger one. If the couple got engaged this year, or married recently, a Christmas present can simply do both jobs at once.

Gifts under £40

Le Creuset stoneware heart mugs

A pair of Le Creuset stoneware heart mugs costs around £36 and comes with a ten year guarantee. Each mug holds 350ml and they are dishwasher safe, so they are made to be used every day rather than kept on a shelf. Le Creuset’s free delivery starts at £50, so you may want to pair them with something else.

Papier mini hardback photo book

A Papier mini hardback photo book is £26 and holds between 24 and 100 pages, with one photo to a page, so it suits the pictures from a proposal weekend or a favourite year. It is printed on textured paper, and Papier says its hardback photo books were recently named a Which? Best Buy for photo albums. Photo books are made to order, so check Papier’s estimated delivery date at checkout before you rely on it for Christmas.

Gifts from £40 to £100

A personalised bottle from Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason will put a personal message on a bottle of its Blanc de Blancs champagne, with up to three lines of text on the label. It was about £55 at the time of writing. It suits a couple who would rather have something to open on Christmas Day than something to store.

A larger Papier photo book

If you want something more substantial than the mini, Papier’s large hardback photo book costs between £50 and £54 depending on the size, and also holds up to 100 pages. It suits a couple’s year in photographs, or their first Christmas together as a married couple.

Gifts of £100 and over

An Art Pass for two

The Art Fund’s National Art Pass in its double version costs £130 for 2026 and includes named cards for two adults who live at the same address. It gives free entry to more than 250 museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK, and 50% off major exhibitions. Gift passes can only be paid for by card and the pass is sent by post, so order early and check Art Fund’s delivery times at checkout.

A pasta class for two

Pasta Evangelists runs pasta making classes in its London restaurants. They last about two hours, include unlimited prosecco or soft drinks, and end with you eating the pasta you made. Classes start at around £68 a person, so a class for two comes to about £136. It is a good fit for a couple who would rather do something together than receive another object.

The gift they will keep: a contribution towards a painting

Most of the gifts above get used, drunk or eaten. If you would like to give something a couple will still have long after Christmas, a painting is worth considering. At The Wedding Painters, couples commission original work from independent artists, whether that is a painting made from a favourite wedding photograph, an illustrated piece, or a live painter at the wedding itself.

The Wedding Painters gift card is digital and starts at £25 (or $25 in the US). It can be used with any artist on the platform, for a live painting, a commission or an illustration, and it works in any country. You can have it delivered to the couple on a date of your choosing, send it to yourself, or print it and put it in a card.

It also works as a group gift, which is often how a bigger present becomes possible. If ten people each give £50, that is £500 towards a commission, and the couple choose their own artist and piece. On a £1,000 commission, the card covers £500 of it. To collect the contributions, you can send round an email that invites people to chip in, or share a link that anyone can use to add their share.

A card can be worth more than the commission it is used for. If it is, the balance stays on the card and can go towards a later commission or booking. Cards stay valid for five years, so there is no pressure to use one by a particular date.

From what we see on the platform, commissions are bought in a few recurring ways: as an anniversary gift, to turn a favourite wedding photograph into a painting after the wedding, as a surprise from one partner to the other, and by parents who want to give something to the couple before the wedding. We have also had a commission from a client in New York, bought as a gift and painted by an artist based in the UK.

The painting itself takes time. The couple choose an artist after they open the card, and how long a piece takes depends on that artist’s availability. We would not promise one by Christmas. The card is what they open on the day, and the painting follows. You can find out more and buy a card on the gift card page.

Choosing for the couple

An engaged couple

Planning a wedding means a lot of admin and a lot of spending, so gifts that are either practical or something to keep tend to land well. A contribution towards a live painter at their wedding is something parents sometimes give before the wedding. Our guide to engagement gift ideas goes into more detail.

A newly married couple

This is a good year for a photo book, or for a painting made from a favourite wedding photograph.

A couple celebrating an anniversary

A commission is a gift we see bought for anniversaries, and it suits couples who already have most things.

A couple who have everything

An experience, or a contribution towards something they would not buy for themselves, usually works better than another object. Our guide to wedding gifts for couples who have everything has more ideas.

Your own fiancé or fiancée

If you are buying for your own partner in your first Christmas engaged, the same ideas apply, with one difference. You are both already spending on the wedding, so it can be worth choosing something that is clearly a present rather than a wedding purchase. A Papier photo book of the proposal and the months since is one option. Another is a gift card towards a painting, made either from a favourite photograph or by a live painter at the wedding, given as a surprise.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good Christmas gift for a couple?

Something they can use or enjoy together. On a smaller budget, that could be a good set of mugs or a photo book. With more to spend, it could be an experience for two or a contribution towards a piece of art.

What is a good Christmas gift for an engaged couple?

Something that marks the occasion without adding to their wedding to-do list: a photo book, a personalised bottle, a good pair of mugs, or a contribution towards a painting. If the engagement is very recent, treat the gift as your engagement gift and add a handwritten card. Personalised items take longer to make, so check the seller’s order dates.

How much should you spend on a Christmas gift for a couple?

Bridebook’s guidance is that friends and family typically spend between £15 and £40 on an engagement gift, and that a card is enough for colleagues and acquaintances. Close family often spend more, and pooling with others is a common way to give something bigger. Our guide to group wedding gifts explains how.

Is a gift card an acceptable gift for a couple?

Yes, as long as it is for something they will actually want. Bridebook’s guidance makes the same point. A gift card that lets them choose their own artist and piece is a more personal option than a general voucher.

Can a group give one gift to a couple?

Yes. A group gift card lets everyone chip in. Contributions are collected either through an email invitation or through a shared link.

How does the Wedding Painters gift card work?

It is digital and starts at £25 or $25. You can use it with any artist on the platform for live painting, commissions or illustrations, in any country. You can send it to the couple on a date you choose, send it to yourself, or print it. It stays valid for five years, and any balance left after a booking stays on the card.

Will a gift card arrive in time for Christmas?

It is digital, so nothing needs to be posted. You can schedule it to be delivered on a date you choose, including Christmas Day.

Do you need to buy both a Christmas gift and a wedding gift?

Not necessarily. A Christmas gift for an engaged couple can stand in as your engagement gift, and many people save the larger gift for the wedding.

Twenty-five years of marriage is a big deal. It deserves a gift that matches.

The 25th anniversary is known as the silver anniversary. The tradition dates back centuries — husbands once presented their wives with a silver garland to mark the occasion. Today the theme is still silver, but the best gifts go beyond a set of photo frames.

Here are the most meaningful 25th wedding anniversary gift ideas — and one option that most people haven’t considered.

What Is the Traditional Gift for a 25th Anniversary?

The traditional gift for the 25th wedding anniversary is silver. It represents brilliance, resilience, and a love that has grown strong over time.

That doesn’t mean the gift has to be made of silver. It means the spirit of the gift should reflect what silver stands for — something that lasts, something that shines, something worth keeping.

The best anniversary gifts do exactly that.

A Commissioned Wedding Painting

This is the gift most people don’t think of — and the one couples remember most.

A commissioned painting takes a favourite photo from the wedding day and turns it into a hand-painted work of art. The couple chooses the moment. An artist paints it in their studio. The finished piece arrives ready to hang.

It’s personal in a way that jewellery and experiences aren’t. It puts their actual wedding day — the venue, the people, the moment — on their wall.

For a 25th anniversary, it carries extra weight. The couple has been married for a quarter of a century. Going back to the day it started, and having it painted for the first time, is a genuinely moving gift.

You can commission a wedding painting from an artist on The Wedding Painters. Browse portfolios, choose a style, and send an enquiry. Read our full guide on how to commission a wedding painting if you want to understand the process before you reach out.

Give a Commission as a Group Gift with a Gift Card

A commissioned painting is a lovely anniversary gift, but it’s hard to buy for someone else. You’d need to know which artist and style they’d choose, and whether they have the right photo to hand. A gift card from The Wedding Painters takes care of both.

Choose an amount, add a message and pick the day it arrives, so it can land on the anniversary itself. The couple then chooses their own artist and style, and puts your gift towards a commission from their wedding photo.

It also works well as a group gift. If you’re buying for your parents, for example, you and your siblings can pool together. Start a group gift with your own contribution, then invite up to 20 people by email to add theirs. Everyone gives what suits them. Cards start at £25 and go up to £1,500, and you can buy more than one if you’d like to give more.

A gift card doesn’t reserve a particular artist, and the price of a commission depends on the artist they choose. If there’s credit left over, it stays on the card for another commission. To see the range of styles before you give, browse our wedding commission artists or visit our gift cards page.

Silver Jewellery

Jewellery is the classic choice — and a good one if you know the person’s taste well.

For something truly personal, consider commissioning a bespoke piece. A handmade silver pendant or ring can be designed around something that matters to the couple — a place, a date, a symbol that’s significant to them.

If a commission isn’t the right fit, sterling silver bracelets, necklaces, and earrings work well. Engraving a date or short message adds something a shop-bought piece can’t.

An Experience

Some couples would rather make a new memory than receive an object.

A weekend away, a cooking class, a wine tasting, a concert — anything that gets them out of the house and doing something together. After 25 years, that can be more meaningful than anything you could wrap.

If you’re buying for someone else’s parents or friends, ask anyone close to them what they’ve talked about wanting to do. The best experience gifts are specific, not generic.

A Piece of Art for the Home

A painting, a print, or a sculpture that suits their home is a gift that stays visible.

The advantage of art over most anniversary gifts is that it doesn’t get put away in a drawer. Every day they walk past it, they see it. That’s a different kind of presence to a piece of jewellery worn occasionally or an experience that’s over in a weekend.

A commissioned portrait of their wedding day is the most personal version of this — but any piece of art they genuinely love works.

Personalised Keepsakes

Personalised champagne flutes engraved with the couple’s names and anniversary date are a popular choice — practical enough to use and personal enough to keep.

Photo books, framed prints of meaningful places, and custom maps of where they got married all work on a similar principle. They take something real from the couple’s life and make it into an object.

These are lower cost options and work well as accompanying gifts alongside something bigger.

What to Avoid

Anything generic. Silver-coloured items that aren’t actually silver. Gifts that feel like they were chosen in five minutes.

A 25th anniversary deserves thought. The couple has been married for a quarter of a century. The gift should reflect that — not just the milestone, but the specific people celebrating it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the traditional gift for a 25th anniversary? Silver. The 25th is known as the silver anniversary. Traditional gifts involve silver jewellery, silverware, or anything with silver as a theme. The best gifts use silver as a starting point, not a strict rule.

What is a meaningful 25th anniversary gift for parents? Something that connects to their wedding day carries the most weight. A commissioned painting from an old wedding photo is one of the most personal options. A framed photo, a piece of jewellery with engraving, or an experience they’ve talked about wanting all work well.

How much should I spend on a 25th anniversary gift? There’s no set amount. For a spouse, most people spend more than they would for a standard birthday — it’s a major milestone. For friends or parents, a thoughtful gift in the £50–£150 range is appropriate, though a commissioned painting sits higher and is often shared as a group gift.

Can I commission a painting from an old wedding photo? Yes. As long as the photo is clear enough to work from, the age of the image doesn’t matter. Many artists work from film photographs and older digital shots without any issue.

Is a commissioned painting a good group gift? It’s one of the best options for a group gift. The cost can be split, and the result is something the couple would never buy for themselves — which is exactly what a good group gift should be.

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Looking for a gift that lasts? Browse wedding commission artists on The Wedding Painters and find someone whose style fits the couple you’re buying for.