Our rule for gifts is simple: make it something the person will enjoy, and by that we mean, something they will experience rather than something they will look at. No one enjoys a hoover or a toaster (unless it’s one of these) and choosing a great piece of art or a beautiful set of glasses, unless they specifically pointed them out to you in the shop, is a matter of taste and potential awkwardness. No, we hold true to our rule and particularly when it comes to wedding gifts – if you don’t want to give cash, the wedding gift should be a useful and enjoyable experience.
But beyond the standard department store, oneforall and restaurant vouchers, what can you give? It turns out there are actually a lot of great options. From learning how to make their own gin to monthly deliveries of bespoke books, an add-on to their honeymoon or a mini-break in a unique landmark in Ireland, here are 17 amazing wedding gifts for memories that will long outlast the cash (and the toaster!)
Thoughtful Wedding Gifts That Aren’t Cash
1. Create Your Own Gin at The Pearse Lyons Distillery Gin School
Given gin is such a craze right now, this is a fun wedding gift for a couple who share a love of the juniper. At The Gin School at Pearse Lyons Distillery you learn all about the techniques used in gin distillation, do some tastings (!) of different gin profiles and then set about creating your own personal gin to take home with you. And while you’re working hard crafting your spirit, you are rewarded with refreshments and G&T’s throughout the class. Sign us up now!
Two tickets cost €240 at pearselyonsdistillery.com
2. Become Shareholders in a Beehive
Imagine enjoying honey straight from your own hive, without having to tend to the bees yourself. Hiveshare by Brookfield Farm lets you share in the joy of beekeeping, offering a unique opportunity to invest in an apiary. You’ll receive raw honey directly from the beekeeper, along with natural handmade beeswax products crafted by happy, well-cared-for bees.
Costs from €85 from brookfield.farm/hiveshare/
3. Send them Whale Watching in West Cork
One of the most original wedding gifts you could give – how about a trip to watch whales, dolphins and all of the amazing marine life in West Cork. Setting sail from Kinsale or Courtmacsherry, the whale and dolphin watching tours last around four hours, sometimes a little longer, as they venture west to the Seven Heads or east toward the Old Head of Kinsale, depending on the latest sightings. Enjoy a meandering journey along the spectacular West Cork coastline and around the islands — a truly magical experience to give.
From €80 for two people from atlanticwhaleandwildlifetours.com
4. Learn to Cook up a Storm at Ballyknocken Cookery School
Getting married means a fresh start so how about learning some new skills in the kitchen as a couple. A fun weekend half day course at the reknowned Ballyknocken Cookery School in Wicklow with Catherine Fulvio is the perfect include a tasting plate of light lunch or supper, depending on the time of the class you opt for.
€396 for two places on a half day cookery class ballyknocken.ie
5. The Ultimate Wedding Gift for Coffee Lovers
If your pals are part of the cool coffee crowd and enjoy sampling all the different brews around town, then help them in the home barista skills with a monthly subscription for coffee from Cloudpicker, a Dublin-based roastery who offer a wide variety of blends and options for coffee lovers.
1 year subscription costs €210 cloudpickercoffee.ie
6. Nights in Sponsored by You with a Netflix Gift Card
If the couple are already complaining about being broke after the wedding then here’s a cheeky idea – help them enjoy those nights in with a Netflix voucher. Even if they have an account already they can use a gift voucher against their subscription. They’re available in retailers all over the place including Tesco and on paypal and are available in various denominations from €15. They also work in different countries as long as the currency is the same, and they never expire. Handy for those friends living abroad!
7. Happy Honeymooning with Mr & Mrs Smith
While most couples these days organise their own holidays, a honeymoon is a special occasion where it’s lovely to place your trust in an expert. Mr & Mrs Smith is one of the most popular travel agencies, offering access to over 2,200 of the world’s best boutique hotels and villas. You can even give the gift of this experience with a beautifully hand-illustrated Mr & Mrs Smith gift card.
I received one of these for my own wedding, and I can say from personal experience that it was money well spent. Mr & Mrs Smith curate the finest boutique hotels across the globe and specialise in crafting bespoke luxury honeymoon experiences. A gift voucher with Mr & Mrs Smith opens up a world of hidden gems. A gift that the couple will truly thank you for!
From €50 at mrandmrssmith.com
8. Be a VIP with Platinum Services at Dublin Airport
The ultimate in travel luxury, Platinum Services at Dublin Airport offers couples the chance to get the VIP airport treatment before jetting off on honeymoon. Starting at €805 per couple, this exclusive service includes private check-in, luggage handling, and security screening, as well as access to luxury private suites with refreshments to relax before your flight. Couples are also treated to a chauffeur service to and from the aircraft, champagne and chocolates on arrival, and a special gift to make your travels even more memorable.
Starts at €805 per couple www.dublinairport.com/platinum-services
9. Create a Mini-Library with a Daunt Books Publishing Subscription
The perfect gift for book lovers: a year-long subscription delivering a treasured new book to their doorstep every month of their first year of married life. Subscribe to Daunt Books Publishing and receive three or six of our forthcoming titles over the next 12 months, weeks before they are available in bookshops, all delivered directly to their door.
£170 for a 6 month subscription www.dauntbooks.co.uk
10. Find a Romantic Hideaway with Irish Landmark Trust
Heading abroad isn’t necessary for a weekend of romance. There are some truly beautiful little boltholes all over the country. The Irish Landmark Trust has a whole host of unique and unusual properties around Ireland and Northern Ireland, many of which are designed as romantic escapes for two. Think gate lodges, lighthouses and tiny cottages to curl up in front of a fire in.
From €10 at http://www.irishlandmark.com
11. Discover Ireland with a Bespoke Executive Helicopters Ride
How about giving the couple the experience of a lifetime with a helicopter tour in their favourite part of the country? Select to fly over stunning sights such as the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, or Dublin City Centre, or, if they prefer, a Whiskey Hop tour of some of Irelands most renowned Whiskey Distillery’s from Middleton, Lambay Ireland and Corry’s.
Bespoke pricing available from executive-helicopters.com
12. A Taste of the Good Life with Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Another option for the couple who enjoy the finer things in life, or who want to treat themselves to special stay during their honeymoon is to gift a voucher for the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The SLH group features some of the world’s most beautiful and unique hotels in the world, for example the beautiful Keemala, in Kamala, Phuket. (pictured). Guaranteed to be used and enjoyed.
Available in Euro, Sterling and Dollars from €50 upwards www.slh.com
13. Head to Pampering Heaven at Monart
Everyone loves a pamper session, and when it comes to indulgence there’s one place in Ireland that tops everyone’s list – Monart is the multi-award winning destination spa in Wexford that has won copious Irish and international awards including Conde Nast top 3 in the world. what could be better than escaping to Monart after the wedding for a little mini-moon.
Vouchers start from €50 www.monart.ie
14. Special Sweet Deliveries from Bean & Goose
For the chocoholics here’s a wedding gift that will bring a smile to their faces. A monthly subscription box offering amazing chocolate treats from Bean & Goose would be just the special delivery to cheer up any couple in the post-wedding blues.
3 Month Gift Tasting Club from €65 beanandgoose.ie
15. A Night at the Theatre
Give the gift of a night at the theatre, a gorgeous excuse to get dressed up for a romantic date night. From dazzling musicals to gripping dramas, it’s a memorable experience to enjoy together. Top Irish theatres to consider include The Abbey Theatre and The Gate Theatre in Dublin, The Cork Opera House, and The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Tickets can be chosen to suit their tastes, making it a truly personalised gift.
16. Indulgence of a Different Kind with Sheridan’s Cheese Club
For those with a more savoury palate a gift that will bring a smile is membership of the Sheridan’s Cheese Club. Sheridan’s expert cheesemongers select four cheeses for their ripeness and seasonality each month and send them along with tasting notes on each of the cheeses. The cheeses are sent out on the second Wednesday of every month. Those deliveries will be very eagerly awaited.
3, 6 and 12 Month options starting at €130 for a 3 month subscription sheridanscheesemongers.com
17. Keep them Celebrating all Year with Wines Direct Club
And if you’re gifting cheese or chocolate why not add on some vino to enjoy it with? The Wines Direct Club gives the members a chance to try out a variety of different wines and learn about each in the comfort of their own home. Each month members are sent a 3 or 6 bottle case of wine, in accordance with that particular month’s theme, complete with tasting notes and wine maker information. So you could consider this one an educational gift too!
Prices start from €60 at winesdirect.ie
We also have gift ideas for groomsmen, as well as for flowergirls and junior bridesmaids. Be sure to sign up to our newsletter too!
