Spice things up with these steamy flicks.
Updated Oct 14, 202414 Thoughtful Elopement Gifts, Plus Elopement Gift Etiquette
We've got ideas and advice.
No question: More couples are choosing intimate vows over splashy celebrations than ever before. Elopements gained popularity in recent years due to pandemic social distancing and small ceremonies have since shown major staying power. If you're tying the knot in private—or know someone who is—you're probably wondering about elopement gifts. You've come to the right place. Below, we're breaking down exactly what is expected when it comes to elopement wedding gifts, getting the intel if they're required, encouraged or entirely unnecessary form an expert source. Plus, we've also curated a foolproof list of thoughtful gifts for a couple who has eloped you can "add to cart" right now.
In this article:
Do You Give a Wedding Gift if the Couple Eloped?
When it comes to giving a wedding gift for an elopement, the answer varies depending on a few elements. Sometimes, a couple opting for an intimate elopement will skip other traditional, wedding-related gatherings (think: an engagement party or wedding shower). Other times, a to-be-wed duo still wants to participate in these romance rituals, while keeping the main event to themselves. If you have a friend or family member who is planning on eloping, but is otherwise hosting traditional prewedding events like a shower, feel free to give them a present as you normally would. "Traditionally, an elopement means it's a private, personal ceremony between the couple and a gift would not be expected, but it's always a nice gesture to give to someone a present to honor their union," says Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert and founder of the Protocol School of Texas. In these instances, Gottsman recommends turning to the registry—which the couple will likely have if they're holding these events—for direction on what to gift.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
However, things may feel a bit more complicated if your loved ones don't have a registry set up or are quietly eloping without any pomp and circumstance. If you are one of the select few invited to participate in the marking of their union (either during the elopement or at a subsequent celebration), you should strongly consider purchasing a present in celebration. You might also choose to give an elopement announcement gift if the couple sent you correspondence to inform you of their union. (Though, this will likely be something much smaller than if you were invited to a post-elopement reception or to other similar events.) In general, elopement gifts—like the ceremony itself—can definitely skew more casual and personal, so a smaller spend amount is totally fine.
In most other instances, whether or not you buy a gift for a couple who eloped is totally up to you. There are many factors that come into play here, ranging from how well you know the couple to whether or not they've previously given you a gift for your wedding. Our take? Showing someone you care is always worthwhile and we can think of no better way to convey your love and excitement for the newlyweds' next chapter than with a thoughtful elopement gift.
The Best Wedding Gifts to Celebrate an Elopement
If you do choose to buy an elopement gift or post-elopement party gift, you can pretty much treat it as you would any other wedding gift—with a bit of added sentiment. "Elopement gifts are basically wedding gifts, so you can shop for everything from cocktail napkins or a pretty picture frame to a gift certificate to a favorite restaurant," says Gottsman. Often, couples that opt for an elopement have a special reverence for the quiet intimacy of the occasion, so it may be a thoughtful gesture to gift them a sentimental item that represents the day they exchanged "I do"s. Below, we've rounded up 15 of the best gifts for eloping couples to express your love and happiness.
1. Digital Picture Frame
Wedding day photos are of peak importance to couples planning an elopement—after all, they're the main way they can allow friends and family to witness their magical and intimate day with them. With that in mind, why not gift your loved ones with a versatile digital picture frame? This option allows them to display over 10,000 photos and videos—all through a simple app. They'll never get sick of seeing moments from their wedding day scroll by as they lounge in the living room or prep dinner in the kitchen.
2. Elegant Champagne Flutes
Nothing says "congrats on pledging for life" quite like a sleek set of champagne flutes. This pair from Etsy strikes a modern shape, accented by loopy script illustrating the couple's names and wedding date. Level up this gift even more by pairing it with a delicious bottle of bubbly for the duo to toast with after the nuptials.
3. Instant Camera
Help the newlyweds commemorate their special memories during their elopement, honeymoon and beyond with a camera that will leave them feeling like photography pros. Give them this sweet little instant camera ahead of the events, so they can have some sweet physical mementos to share with you and other loved ones later on. Plus, they come in a slew of sweet pastel colors.
4. Famous Wedding Cake
Many couples who choose to elope may also decide to forgo wedding mainstays like cake. Ensure they don't miss out on one of life's sweetest pleasures by sending some sweets to enjoy postwedding. Goldbelly helps you to do just that, bundling up Montilio's Baking Company's famous JFK's Wedding Cake (which, as the name implies, was served at John F. Kennedy's wedding, as well as several Inaugural Balls) and delivering it to the newlyweds' doorstep to enjoy fresh.
5. Airbnb Gift Card
Maybe help them splurge on an epic spot for their vows? This versatile gift can be redeemed in thousands of locations worldwide and put towards their honeymoon or any epic trip they want to plan in the future. Pair the gift certificate with a set of personalized passport cases to really encourage their wanderlust.
6. Standing Phone Charger
Maybe they're hoping to stream in friends and family as they say their private vows or maybe they got their start as a long-distance couple bonding over FaceTime. Whatever their tech predilections, they're sure to love this innovative charger-meets-stand from Courant. It uses a strong magnet to adhere your iPhone to the charging stand and also boasts an additional pad where they can juice up wireless headphones.
7. Bespoke Photo Album
Think the perfect wedding elopement gift idea doesn't exist? Think again. You can help the newlyweds commemorate all their special wedding day memories in a gorgeous lay-flat album with a gift certificate to Artifact Uprising. The bespoke brand creates heirloom-quality albums using archival paper, foil pressing and linen fabric covers to construct timeless books the pair can design themselves.
8. Sleek Travel Safe
If your favorite duo is swapping vows in an exotic locale, they're probably traveling with a lot of important stuff, like big-day jewelry, personal documents and more. Ensure everything stays safe as they globetrot with this smart safe from Trova. The small, but roomy, case is made from durable aluminum alloy and is tamper-proof and Bluetooth-connected, so it can transmit its last-known location if ever lost. It's an offbeat and practical elopement gift a pair of travelers are sure to appreciate.
9. Hotel-Worthy Sheets
Post-elopement, your loved ones are going to want to wind down with a little R&R—and no brand makes it easier (or more comfortable) to do so than Parachute. Their percale sheets are legendary for their comfort and coziness, boasting 100% premium long-staple Egyptian cotton that only gets better with each use. Trust us: They'll be silently thanking you each time they climb into bed.
10. Playful Candle
Gift shopping for someone you don't know all that well can be difficult, so it's good to have a few foolproof ideas in your back pocket for the next time an occasion arises. If you have a boss or coworker that just eloped and you want to congratulate them in a small way, nothing is more charming than this Just Married candle from Homesick. Scented with notes of sea salt, lily of the valley (a wedding staple!) and champagne (duh), it's a thoughtful and budget-friendly way to pass along your support.
11. Custom Cookies
Love is sweet and so are these custom shortbread cookies. Each of the 24 cookies is made by a French-trained pastry chef and is imprinted with a custom message. Opt for a simple "congratulations" followed by their names and a heart.
12. Memorable Experience
Do your pals prefer stories over stuff? Then Tinggly is the perfect wedding gift for a close friend or sibling who eloped. Here's how it works: Simply choose a Tinggly box from a selection of themed collections (we prefer the Just Married option) and your loved ones will be sent an eVoucher (or physical box, your choice) that allows them to browse hundreds of unique experiences all around the world.
13. Destination Artwork
You may not be on-site as they're swapping vows, but that doesn't mean you can't help them pay tribute to their chosen locale. If your friends or family members have picked a particularly special spot to say "I do," they'll probably really appreciate a custom piece of artwork as an elopement gift. All you have to do is send the artist a picture of the location you'd like illustrated and they'll do the rest, sketching and watercoloring a beautiful likeness of what is likely the newlywed's new favorite place.
14. Personalized Platter
Celebrating a duo that loves to entertain? This timeless platter will help them do so in style while paying tribute to their nuptials. Constructed of durable ceramic and kiln-fired in wedding-appropriate white, it can be personalized with their new surname at the center, along with the year of their elopement. It's the ideal accompaniment to their first holiday or dinner party as a married duo.
