21 Last-Minute Wedding Gift Ideas to Quickly Say "Congrats"
We're all guilty of procrastination. Whether it be grocery shopping, laundry or buying a wedding gift, some things just happen at the eleventh hour. While we can't help with your chores, we're just the people to come to for last-minute wedding gift ideas. Keep in mind, traditional wedding gift etiquette says you have up to a year after the big day to give the happy couple a gift (though, we say within three months of the wedding is best—and most experts agree), so don't feel rushed to send something ahead of time. Of course, punctuality is still important. So whatever tight time frame you're in, we've got several tips on how to give last-minute, or even late, wedding gifts below. Plus, the best last-minute wedding gifts to shop if you can't use the couple's registry.
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How to Give a Last-Minute Wedding Gift
Good news! Quick wedding gift ideas can likely be found on the couple's wedding website as well as other resources they provide. We'll elaborate below.
Buy something from the couple's registry.
When searching for last-minute wedding gift ideas, your first stop should be the couple's wedding registry. This wish list is curated by the couple, so it guarantees that you're getting a gift you know they want. You should be able to find their registry information on the couple's wedding website. Just note, since you're shopping late, many of the gifts could be purchased already. As long as there are items left though, your problem is solved.
Donate to the couple's cash fund.
Some couples would rather have cash instead of a physical gift, and that's a great option—even preferred—for last-minute shoppers. If they've added a cash fund (or multiple) to their registry, contribute to one as your wedding gift to the newlyweds. Best of all, this option allows you to give as much money as you're comfortable with, so donate whatever is within your budget. Couples can then spend it on things they really need or want that can't be tied with a bow, like a down payment on a new home, their honeymoon or date activities.
Write them a wedding check.
Donating to a cash fund isn't the only way to give money as a wedding gift. You can also write a wedding check to the happy couple and slip it into a handwritten card. If you're gifting on the big day itself, look for a designated card box or basket during the reception. If there isn't one, hand the gift to someone in the wedding party, like a parent of the newlyweds, the maid of honor or the wedding planner.
Contribute money to a group gift.
This idea makes sense if you're in the company of other last-minute shoppers and the only registry items left are pricey. If you have friends or family members attending the wedding, consider asking them if they would like to contribute to a group gift. (Trust us, you're not the only one behind on gift shopping.) This is a quick and easy way for multiple guests to purchase a big-ticket item from the couple's registry that would be typically out of budget for just one attendee. Regardless of your reasoning, just make sure all the names of those who contributed are attached to the gift in some way, so the couple can thank everybody in the future.
Our Favorite Quick-Delivery Wedding Gifts
If you're shopping off-registry for a wedding gift at the last minute—and you don't want to gift just cash—these are the best late wedding gifts that have quick or even instant delivery and are still super thoughtful.
1. Meal Delivery Service
No one really wants to think about meal planning and prepping after a luxurious honeymoon. Well, thanks to you, they don't have to. "Send" (i.e. email) the couple a gift card to Blue Apron. They have five plan options (including veggie) for the couple to choose from. Once they make their selection, they'll be sent all the ingredients and instructions to make two or four servings of two to five meals each week. Easy-peasy!
2. Monthly Wine Subscription
The rules for this subscription gift for couples are simple: You pick the digital gift card amount, and they pick the wines (or fill out a taste profile to have a curated selection delivered to them). The couple will appreciate having some vino on hand so they can toast to their nuptials well after the big day. It's such a clever last-minute gift idea, they'll have no idea you thought of it, bought it and sent it in the same day.
3. Outdoor Dinnerware Set
Amazon Prime was invented for procrastinators like us. If you know the couple is moving to a new home with a pretty sweet backyard, then here's a thoughtful gift they might not have thought to register for themselves: unbreakable plates and bowls. This set can serve four or six people and comes in a fun and fitting blue pattern. Pair it with shatterproof wine glasses (we already found some on Amazon Prime for you) and they're ready for a backyard dinner party.
4. Online Plant Store Gift Card
Speaking of a new home, how about a classic housewarming gift that doubles as a last-minute wedding gift? A digital gift card to The Sill can be sent instantly as an email or as a link you can share on your own terms. The couple can then choose from a wide selection of house plants, pots and care supplies. No worries if the pair doesn't have a green thumb between them, the retailer has faux plants as well to liven any space.
5. Personalized Family Name Sign
Here's another idea to make their house a home. This personalized welcome sign will be a sweet greeting to guests, if the couple is now sharing a surname. (That's right, last-minute shopping doesn't have to exclude personalized wedding gift ideas.) It flaunts their names, shared monogram and their wedding year, and comes in dozens of different sizes and metal finishes. Of course, the best part is that it ships within 24 hours of ordering.
6. Spa Gift Card
Wedding planning can be a lot. Even if the couple had a team of helpful vendors, making decisions and wrangling friends and family in one place is stressful. Help them unwind with a trip to the spa, courtesy of you and Spafinder. Their digital gift cards are good at thousands of spas and salons around the US, so the couple can find the location of their R&R dreams—maybe they'll even be able to use it on their honeymoon.
7. Crystal Picture Frame
We know, we know. Shopping in person for a wedding gift is not nearly as convenient as finding something online. But when you're at the eleventh hour, it can be worth a trip to the mall to put something in the newlyweds' hands right away. If you're going with this plan, consider gifts that the couple can have more than one of or likely didn't register for. (And, of course, get a gift receipt.) For instance, a picture frame is a great last-minute wedding gift idea because they'll love having a special spot (or two) to show off wedding day photos. This one is extra luxe, thanks to its intricately etched crystal border. Plus, some department stores like Nordstrom offer buy online, pick up in-store services.
8. Charming Cookie Jar
Target is another retailer with buy online, pick up in-store services as well as same-day delivery for some products. One thing Target is never short on: cute kitchen supplies—like this cookie jar. We suggest filling the white ceramic canister with affordable baking tools easily found at the store like a wooden mixing spoon, rolling pin or oven mitt (or scoop up some small kitchen items still available on their registry). Lastly, add your family's secret cookie recipe to the card. Just like that, you have a super-cute wedding gift easily put together at the last minute.
9. Glass Tupperware Set
Averaging 4.8 stars out of nearly 6,000 reviews, this glass tupperware set on Amazon Prime isn't just practical, it's also cute. (C'mon, look at those colors.) Not to mention they're leak-proof, odor- and stain-resistant as well as dishwasher-, microwave- and oven-safe. Despite the glass construction—which is not just better for the environment, but also for the user—the BPA-free protective silicone will prevent the set from breaking. The couple will use this for the rest of their happily married lives.
10. NFL Game Tickets
Experience gifts for couples are all the rage and they're easily purchased at the last minute. If you're shopping for a pair of sports lovers, email them a voucher good towards the price of any available NFL game. No worries if football isn't their thing, Spur Experiences also offers vouchers to NHL, NBA and MLB games.
11. Online Mixology Class
If they found the tequila to their lime, this virtual mixology class is a great last-minute wedding gift idea. Brooklyn bartender Matt Levy will walk them through the difference between tequila and mezcal, then teach three drink recipes: a Paloma spiced with jalapeño-infused tequila, a Rosalita and a Mezcalgroni. They can make them for you as a thanks next get-together. Just mark that it's a gift at checkout to have it emailed to the couple on the date and time of your choosing (probably ASAP) and add a personal note.
12. Date Night Cooking Class
If you know the couple loves cooking, but you missed the boat for ordering kitchen essentials from their registry, consider a Sur La Table gift card instead. They can use it in-store or, our personal choice, to participate in an in-person or online cooking class. The gift card will be sent to their email with a custom note from you!
13. Personalized Wooden Cutting Board
Yes, we found more than one Etsy wedding gift that's personalized to the couple and has quick shipping. This custom cutting board ships the same day and has free two-day delivery. It's made from bamboo and engraved with the couple's now-shared last name (if they're changing it) and established year.
14. Global Coffee Subscription
Atlas Coffee Club will supply the couple with the best single-origin coffee from around the world, so their morning cup together is always full. Simply choose between three, six or 12 months, then whole bean, ground or pod coffee, and between one to two bags per shipment. You can choose the first shipment date with a note included, so they know who thought of such a creative wedding gift or email a gift notice to them for instant arrival.
15. Cold Brew Maker
While OXO doesn't offer expedited shipping from their site, you can find their famous cold brew maker on Amazon Prime. Brew-tiful! This mess-free cold brew maker delivers smooth coffee concentrate overnight. They can make up to 32 ounces at a time for a lasting morning drink.
16. Coffee Syrup Dispensers
If you couldn't tell by now, I love DIY gift sets. (If you have the time to make them.) We're talking a coffee subscription (or coffee maker) sweetly wrapped with these syrup dispensers to complete their Pinterest-worthy coffee bar. They even come with a label set. We bet they didn't think to register for such a fun kitchen gadget.
17. Date Night Box Delivery
The secret to a successful marriage is to never stop dating your spouse. And that's now as easily said as it's done thanks to DateBox Club. Gift the couple a 12-month subscription so a unique date is delivered to their door or inbox every month for their first year of marriage, no planning required. Just make sure to put in their shipping address at checkout. They'll receive their first box within a week of ordering, but you can let them know it's on the way via email.
18. Honeymoon Experience Voucher
If you're shopping for a last-minute wedding gift and know the couple has yet to take their honeymoon, this is a great idea. Tinggly's Happily Ever After Box lets them pick from over 2,000 activities around the world to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience together. Think: a manatee swim tour in Crystal River, Florida, a macaron baking class in Paris, France or a wine tour in Cape Town, South Africa. They can view and use the voucher ASAP with the brand's instant email delivery, or you can opt for the gift box delivery option and it'll arrive to them in two to five business days.
19. Craft Cocktail Subscription
Alright, one more subscription gift idea and this one has some strong potential. Shaker & Spoon is a specialty craft cocktail subscription that provides everything needed besides the liquor to make artisanal drinks right from home. We're talking syrups, bitters, garnishes, mixers, citrus and more. Each month, they'll get three recipes to make 12 cocktails (four from each). Best of all, Shaker & Spoon offers printables to supplement an in-person gift. (Of course, you can also send a cute email.)
20. Luxury Scented Candle
Candles are in no way a boring wedding gift, especially when they're from the luxury brand Diptyque. Just check your nearby Nordstrom to see what scents and sizes they have in stock to buy online and pick up in-store. Our personal favorite? Their popular scent Baies. This extra-large candle (120-hour burn time) smells like black currant berries and roses, comes in a handmade ceramic vessel and is wrapped in a charming hat box.
21. Custom Welcome Mat
This Etsy seller has express shipping for free, so your item is guaranteed to be designed, printed, packed and shipped within two business days. They have lots of doormat designs to choose from, including this simple showcase of the couple's initials and wedding year. It's made from eco-friendly, all-natural coconut fibers and treated with silicone to ensure a long-lasting design.