10 Wedding Gift Ideas for the Bride *And* the Groom 💒

Over the last century, we’ve generally thought of weddings as a bride’s big day – an event paid for by the bride’s parents, and a chance to see her vision come to life.

But the times, they are a-changing… and so is the etiquette surrounding who pays for the wedding.

These days, nearly half of couples pay for the entire wedding themselves, with family members and friends perhaps taking over one element here or there (flowers, the cake, photos) as a gift. The grooms are paying for the wedding alongside their bride, and they’re more likely to be planning alongside their bride, too! Sure, many grooms still prefer to take a backseat on planning on the basis that they don’t much care whether the invites are cream or vintage lace, more and more couples are planning the big day together.

Not to mention, these days nearly 70% of couples in the US live together before getting engaged, so they probably already have lots of those household-starting staples that used to be all over wedding registries 50 years ago. When the happy couple already has silverware and blenders and wine racks and decor, what makes a good gift for a couples that live together?

All of this is simply to say, weddings are shifting more and more from being “all about the bride” to celebrating the couple as a unit and partnership.

So if you’re looking for wedding gift ideas for the bride and groom – one that they can use together, that both parties will enjoy – you’re definitely not alone! That’s the way the whole wedding industry is headed.

Finding the perfect thing might feel like a tall order, but our gifting experts have lots of amazing ideas for you, including:

• Experience gifts for couples that will help them build memories together from the earliest days of their marriage
• Nerdy wedding gifts that speak to their inner child
• Funny wedding gifts that will have them both laughing out loud

So buckle up! We’ve got a lot to get through before those wedding bells ring 💒

1. Text a Digital Gift Card with GiftYa

Text or email an egift card in just a few clicks

First up on our list is the humble gift card. Wait, you might be thinking, that doesn’t sound like a thoughtful gift at all? And if you sent the happy couple an ordinary gift card, you might be right.

Luckily wedding traditions aren’t the only things that have gotten an update – digital gift cards make it possible to give the bride and groom a monetary gift after the financial drain that is wedding planning with more heartfelt customizations and convenient ways to redeem than ever before.

With GiftYa, you can choose from thousands of local and national brands, customize with a photo or video clip and message, and send it to their email or texts in just a few clicks. From there, they can use it, exchange it, or cash it out – the choice is totally up to them.

But what kind of gift card would actually be a good wedding gift? Here are a couple of ideas that the bride and groom can enjoy together:

• Buy an Airbnb gift card they can use for their honeymoon or simply a weekend adventure building memories together
• Send an REI gift card to the outdoorsy couple who might want to refresh their hiking, biking, or camping gear before their next getaway
• Grab a Lowe’s gift card for the new homeowners, especially if they moved into a fixer-upper with plans to really make it their own

Or you can opt to send a GiftYa Select gift card, which lets them enjoy the experience of “unwrapping” their digital card, but lets them choose from any vendor in the catalog. No matter which option you choose, this one is the perfect balance between personal and practical.

Text or email an egift card in just a few clicks

2. Nintendo Switch 2

Whether they’ve been speedrunning retro platformers on their own for decades or they just enjoy a casual game of Mario Party with friends, there are few consoles so perfectly suited for couples as the Nintendo Switch. With two joy cons (controllers) included, lots of couch co-op games, and a whole catalog of games for every skill level, it’s the perfect way for newlyweds to relax and unwind together.

Whether they build a world of their own in Minecraft or Animal Crossing or get competitive on Rainbow Road in Mario Kart, this gift promises hundreds of hours of entertainment they can actually engage in together, unlike an evening watching tv.

Wanna complete the gift with a great game they can play with their forever player 2? Try titles like:

• It Takes Two - a couple on the verge of divorce is transformed into toys by their daughter’s wish and must work together to get back to normal… and reach new levels of love, appreciation, and teamwork along the way
• Unravel Two - two connected yarn dolls must navigate through their world as they chase the spark of adventure
• Cat Quest II - a cat and dog must work together to power up their armor, learn spells, and navigate dungeons together

…which are all designed for exactly two players with unique challenges that can only be solved by working together. But there are plenty of other multiplayer games available as well.

3. Camping Gear

Quality tents, cozy sleeping bags, portable cooking equipment, and even a travel coffee maker can transform a weekend getaway into an adventure they’ll never forget.

Camping invites them to disconnect from the hustle of daily life and reconnect with each other, working together to set up camp, cook meals, and explore new surroundings. Adding a National Parks Pass or a gift card for outdoor gear makes the present even more thoughtful and encourages them to unplug, connect with each other, and create some shared memories in nature!

4. Pickleball Gear

There used to be a running joke about how in your 30s, you could choose between a couple of stereotypical hobbies to base your personality around: craft beer, hitting the gym, or getting back into reading. But these days, I’d venture to add pickleball to the list. Despite being practically unknown a decade ago, pickleball courts are cropping up everywhere.

It’s the perfect sport for couples because it can be played in pairs and – take it from someone who did not excel in gym class, particularly when paddle sports were involved –  it’s surprisingly easy to get started. In terms of materials, they’ll just need a net, a couple of pickleballs, and a pair of paddles.

From there, the whiffle-ball-like balls make it pretty beginner-friendly – but if they’re good, they can always sign up for a local league and get competitive.

It’s a great way for couples to stay active, work as a team, and it’s a hobby they can continue together long after the wedding.

5. Dance Lessons

Their first dance is just the beginning! Dance lessons are a timeless gift for couples, and it keeps on giving for years after they waltz their way out of the classroom.

Whether it’s ballroom, salsa, or swing dancing, learning a new style together is both fun and romantic. Dance builds physical coordination, communication, and confidence, all while creating shared moments of joy.

Pairing the lessons with a gift certificate to a nearby restaurant can turn a dance class into a full date night, making it a gift that blends learning, activity, and romance seamlessly.

6. Laser Tag Session

For couples who enjoy playful adventures, a laser tag session is a surprisingly fun gift. Laser tag brings out their competitive side while creating sweet, silly, unforgettable memories.

Engaging in a friendly, fast-paced challenge allows them to laugh together and embrace a sense of teamwork.

Tickets for two, or even a package that includes friends, can make it a social and interactive experience that the couple will remember for years.

7. Personalized Travel Map

Is the happy couple counting down the days til their honeymoon?

Do they have tickets booked for another trip or two (or five) already?

Are you packing your bags to attend their destination wedding, or did the question get popped in an exotic locale?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, a personalized travel map is a great gift idea for the bride and groom. Whether they’re marking past trips or planning future adventures, a push-pin map or custom piece of wall art celebrates some of their greatest adventures… plus, it will look great on the wall of their home!

8. Cooking Class for Two

Attending a local cooking class is both practical and fun, giving the couple the chance to learn a new cuisine together. From pasta-making to sushi, they’ll get hands-on experience and enjoy the delicious results.

Cooking together strengthens teamwork, encourages creativity, and ends with a rewarding meal. Pairing the class with a relevant cookbook or a set of kitchen tools allows them to continue practicing at home, extending the gift wayyyy beyond a single experience.

9. Couples’ Spa Day

Planning a wedding can be stressful!!

From juggling finances, trying to balance expectations vs reality, dealing with vendors and guest lists, keeping track of timelines… it’s a lot. And when the day itself arrives, many brides and grooms find it flies by so quickly they hardly even have time to enjoy all of their hard work paying off.

That’s why a gift that centers around relaxation makes a great gift for newlyweds. Massages, facials, saunas, and other pampering treatments provide the bride and groom a chance to unwind and enjoy some luxury together… which is just what they need after the marathon of events and big purchases involved in planning their big day.

Consider a trip to Hand & Stone for a deep tissue, Swedish, or himalayan salt massage, or for a more unique experience consider gifting them a couples session in a float tank or hot-tub-to-coldwater-plunge (and back 🥶) experience of a Nordic spa.

10. Subscription Box for Couples

Lets face it – after the wedding, checking the mail gets pretty boring. No more RSVPs, no more wedding cards or gifts from the registry. It’s back to real life with its boring junk mail and bills.

That’s where this gift idea comes in! From wine clubs to gourmet food or date night kits, subscription boxes keep delivering excitement to their door long after the wedding. Here are a couple of ideas to get you thinking!

• Hunt a Killer is a serialized murder mystery they can work together to solve
• Tabs aphrodisiac chocolates offers a date night box for promoting intimacy
• The Adventure Challenge gives them fun, mystery date ideas ranging from romantic homemade dinners to spinning pottery à la Ghost
• Coffee subscription boxes can make their morning ritual more interesting, but you don’t have to settle for boring with options like Comics on Coffee (for the geeky couple), Bones Coffee (for the spooky duo), and Kittytown Coffee or Grounds & Hounds (for the animal lovers – both of these great gifts give back to shelter pets!)

How to Choose the Perfect Gift for the Couple

When picking a wedding gift, it’s important to consider the couple’s shared interests and hobbies.

Experiences often create longer-lasting memories than physical items.

Adding a personal touch, such as a monogram or custom element, makes the gift even more meaningful.

But no matter which way you look at it, gifts that both the bride and groom can enjoy encourage the newlyweds to spend quality time together, promote shared hobbies, and create lasting memories that go beyond the wedding day 💕

Choosing a wedding gift for the bride and groom doesn’t have to be stressful.

By focusing on shared experiences, hobbies, and fun activities, you can give a gift the bride and groom will truly enjoy together. Personalized touches and thoughtful extras make the present memorable, ensuring it will be remembered long after the wedding day. From playful and adventurous options like laser tag or pickleball gear to romantic and relaxing experiences like spa days or dance lessons, there’s something on this list for every couple!