Great, Inexpensive Wedding Gifts

'Tis the season of giving – so we wanted to explore some thoughtful, affordable wedding gifts, since you’ll be a guest more often than you’ll be a bride. 

Couples register for a reason, though you may want to give something more sentimental or personal.  Unique vintage pieces and family heirlooms are always appreciated.  
 

Mom may pass down Grandma's china, though gifting a set of salad plates or a serving dish to a sister or cousin is a thoughtful gesture.  None in the family?  Consider starting the tradition with a set from Ebay or Etsy (above, $23.50 for 6)

While gift certificates are great (and fit snuggly in a suitcase), don't be afraid to step outside the box.  Post-wedding, it’s nice to see objects around the house that remind you of your special day. 

While vases and other decorative items are riskier unless you know their style (and home’s color scheme), serving pieces are the gift no one thinks they need until they do.  Traditional white or ivory as well as gold will always be in fashion, while well-made wood pieces are classics. 

Original artwork can be a great idea if they have art hanging now. 

Amazon even has a "Suggest a Gift" feature where you can "gift" an item without it shipping, so you can express your creativity while the couple can still easily choose something else if they prefer.

Hopefully it goes without saying that a gift designed for both people is best.  It’s much less fun to open something clearly directed at only one half when you’re celebrating your new life together (save those for his/her birthday.)

What might be most helpful: think about your favorite wedding gifts – why were they so dear?  Did you ask for them specifically? 

Still need some inspiration?  Check out our recommendations below:

1. Membership

To a museum, Costco or Amazon Prime.  Other good bets: Spotify, a yoga studio, NPR, botanic gardens, a ski mountain, Netflix/Hulu or a driving range.

2. Tool Kit

Everyone needs a full tool kit and a spare is great for the garage or to fill-in lost pieces

3. Champagne Flutes

Champagne flutes say ‘Celebrate!’ and can be used for their wedding toast (if you send in advance) and for countless celebrations in the future.

4. Personalized Gift Certificates

To the restaurant of their first date, their favorite wine store or a certain movie theater if they're fans of the big screen.

5. The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Clubs and subscriptions continue long after the wedding bells ring; the happy couple will thank you throughout the year.  There's everything from bacon to bagel of the month clubs.  Some favorites:
 
 Murray's Cheese begins at $200
Norman Love Chocolates start at $240
Craft Beer Club packages begin at $37.75 per month

What about a BarkBox for the couple who incorporated their pup in the wedding? A reoccurring gift out of your price range?  Consider a nice gift basket from one of the above (though make sure it arrives after the honeymoon if perishable.)

6. Favorite Cookbooks
If they spend any time in the kitchen cookbooks are a nice gift, with one caveat: give those you’ve tried out yourself.  The ease and quality of recipes varies greatly.

The books I gift: Tartine, The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook and anything by Ina Garten, in particular How Easy Is That

7. For Travel

Luggage tags, postcard frames, passport holders, travel blankets or a suitcase if you can splurge will all be appreciated on the honeymoon and beyond.  Grooms will love gadgets like electronic adapters and portable charger.  And everyone could use noise-cancelling headphones sometimes.    

8. Memory Keepsake Box

Relatively inexpensive, these are a great way for the happy couple to protect and organize the little details from their big day

Tell us your favorite wedding gift in the comments! 

Pomona College Weddings

When it comes to on-campus weddings, Southern California can’t be beat.  So why not have your wedding at Pomona College, the best-of-the-best if I do say so myself.

Tracy Kumono Photography

Pomona hosts private events during breaks (first two weeks of January, Spring Break, Fall Break and Thanksgiving Break) as well as summer (mid-May through mid-August) and has facilities for 50 to 300 guests. 

For the ceremony Little Bridges (Hall of Music) is a stunning yet intimate concert hall setting for your ceremony.  With capacity for up to 500, you could fit your all your Sagehen friends in here (go figure.)  The Hill Memorial Organ, commissioned in 2002, can be used for weddings and adds a storied, romantic component to your rites. 

Assuming perfect Pomona weather (the norm), the Sontag Greek Theatre provides a casual, timeless outdoor space in which friends and family can surround you as you say your vows in a sunken garden setting.  Built in 1910 and renovated in 1997, the open-air theater has a classic feel with its structured, circular design and topiary landscaping.  It can seat up to 500 in its built-in benches. 

Breathtaking gardens scatter Pomona’s campus.  The Memorial Garden can accommodate up to 250 for a wedding ceremony.  
 

For the reception, Edmunds Ballroom – you may recall from the annual ‘Death by Chocolate’ holiday party?! – can seat 300 at round tables (or up to 500 theater-style for your ceremony), less with a dance floor.  For less formal cocktail parties it can accommodate 600 standing.  Rental includes a portable stage for your vows or a band.  

Tracy Kumono Photography

The Steele Forum just outside the Ballroom works well for a Welcome area (cocktail as guests enter?) and can be reserved privately.