The Second Time’s the Charm With These Gifts for a Second Marriage
Question: Do Friends characters Monica, Phoebe, Rachel, Joey and Chandler need to get Ross a wedding gift for his second marriage to Emily? How about for his elopement with Rachel? The answer is yes, to both.
When it comes to a wedding gift for a second marriage (or third, fourth or fifth), it's always a good idea to err on the side of generosity. A thoughtful gift is a great way to let the couple know you support their love and are thinking of them as they embark on this new chapter of their lives. Below, you'll find wedding gift ideas for a second marriage that do just that. Scroll on to learn more about wedding gift etiquette for remarriages, then shop our favorite wedding presents for happy couples, young and old.
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Second Marriage Wedding Gift Etiquette
There are a few wedding gift etiquette tips for a second marriage to keep in mind while shopping. First and foremost: Don't buy—or mention—the same gift you got for the recipient's last wedding, even if you thought it was amazing. A wedding gift for a second marriage should celebrate this new union and garner excitement for a fresh start.
Unlike a couple getting married for the first time, there's a good chance that the couple remarrying already has a household that's well-stocked with essentials like glassware, towels and kitchen gadgets. So, what are appropriate wedding gifts for a couple who has everything? We encourage you to think outside of the box and go for gifts that speak to who they are as a couple. Consider personalized wedding gifts, like one-of-a-kind wall art or experience gifts that observe the couple's shared hobbies. While it's less common for second marriages, check to see if the couple put together a registry. (Psst, if your couple is registered with The Knot, you can find their wish list here.)
Is it appropriate to give a monetary gift for a second wedding? If you're unsure about what to give the couple, a cash gift is an appropriate option. It'll allow them to use the funds as they wish—whether for their honeymoon, home expenses or future savings. When deciding how much to spend on a wedding gift for a second marriage (whether it's money or a physical gift), consider your relationship with the couple as well as your own budget. Give an amount that you're comfortable with, as ultimately, it's the thought behind the gift that matters most.
The Best Second Marriage Wedding Gifts
We've rounded up some of our favorite second-wedding gift ideas below. From custom home decor and cute date-night ideas to household upgrades they'll appreciate, here are some great gifts for the couple.
1. Stoneware Serving Bowl
This beautifully handcrafted ceramic bowl is perfect for a couple in love. The rim is etched to say: "True love is not a destination, but a journey shared by the travelers on its path." It's sure to star as the centerpiece of every future dinner party.
2. Engraved Butcher Block Cutting Board
If you're shopping for a couple who already seemingly has everything, opt for home essentials with unique or creative elements. Take, for instance, a personalized cutting board. This one is engraved with their names, suffixes and wedding date. Made of durable bamboo wood, it's perfectly suited to chopping and dicing, absorbing little moisture, and protecting against bacteria buildup. (But they might just use it as a display-only item instead!)
3. Two-Shot Espresso Maker
While the couple will likely already be in possession of a traditional coffee maker, an espresso machine makes a great second wedding gift. Surprise the newlyweds with The De'Longhi's Stilosa Espresso Machine which conveniently makes two cups of espresso at a time, allowing them to enjoy their lattes or cappuccinos together while they're both still steaming. They'll be professional baristas in no time.
4. Personalized Mug Set
Celebrate the joy of shared mornings and cozy evenings with a set of personalized mugs. Featuring a unique faux bois design, each of these mugs is adorned with the couple's initials and wedding date, intricately carved into the "tree" motif and encircled by a heart. These mugs elevate daily rituals of coffee and tea, and their microwave and dishwasher-safe porcelain ensures practicality for everyday use.
5. Experience Voucher
Will the newlyweds be going on a honeymoon? Help them make the most of their trip with a Tinggly Experience voucher. The "Just Married" collection offers over 12,000 different experiences for exactly two people in more than 100 countries, including Europe and South America, if they plan to travel internationally. The voucher never expires, so it's great if they won't be going on a romantic getaway right away—and it could be used in their hometown, too.
6. Push Pin Travel Map
There's nothing like traveling the world with your true love and this interactive world map captures these shared adventures beautifully. You can customize the green and yellow atlas with a sweet quote like, "Travel often, love deeply," or include the couple's names and wedding date. You can also choose the color of the push pins to include with the canvas. Whether they're embarking on their honeymoon or future anniversary trips, they can mark each spot and even add photos or paper souvenirs to create a truly personalized piece of wall art.
7. Fill-in-the-Blank Memory Journal
For an inexpensive wedding gift for a second marriage, consider this notebook designed for couples. It'll capture and commemorate their journey together through beautifully designed pages with helpful prompts for writing memories, dreams and milestones. This journal is a delightful date night activity, sparking deeper conversations and nostalgia. Once filled, it becomes a cherished keepsake of their shared experiences.
8. Wine Opener Gift Set
For couples embarking on their second wedding journey, a wine-themed gift set is a thoughtful gesture that ensures they're equipped for future celebrations. Gone are the days of struggling with manual corkscrews or resorting to makeshift bottle openers. This comprehensive set includes everything needed to open and enjoy their favorite wines effortlessly. From a sleek electric wine opener to an aerator to a champagne stopper, each piece is crafted with both style and functionality in mind.
9. Monthly Wine Subscription
This subscription gift for couples will send the recipients one to six bottles of wine from around the world every few months—so they'll always be stocked for date night. And you can trust they'll get the best of the best, thanks to the company's expert team of tasters. (They're even the official partner and wine provider of the Michelin Guide!)
10. Crystal Wine Decanter
Even a couple with plenty of glassware will appreciate this beautifully designed, award-winning wine decanter. Handmade from high-quality crystal, this decanter will bring out the best flavor in their favorite bottle of wine. With its stunning curved shape and capacity to hold approximately four glasses of wine, it's the perfect gift for wine lovers and couples who enjoy entertaining together.
11. First Toast Personalized Art
There are many special elements of a wedding, such as the vows, first dance and location, that can inspire personalized artwork for the couple. This simple print commemorates their first toast as a married couple. It features a hand-sketched illustration of champagne flutes with their wedding details (like the venue, city, date and names) in a sans-serif typography. It comes in two sizes and can be framed for an additional cost.
12. Custom Engraved Coasters
There are some small home decor items that couples can never have too many of, like coasters. These marble and wood coasters are stunning on their own but are even better engraved with the couple's names, initials or family monogram. Just choose your favorite shape, stone color, engravable design and quantity for a great wedding gift for second marriages.
13. Etched Champagne Flutes
These personalized champagne flutes are more keepsakes than practical glassware (since they'll likely already have the kitchen essentials covered). Each is etched with the image of a tree trunk carved with the couple's initials and wedding date. They'll likely break them out each year to toast their anniversary.
14. Italian Dinner Subscription
A pasta subscription is such a fun second wedding gift idea. After all, what married couple doesn't appreciate a well-stocked pantry? Bona Furtuna will send the couple premium Italian foods (think: olive oils, pasta and biscotti) every month with chef-curated recipes, so they'll always have an easy and delicious dinner plan on hand.
15. Cast Iron Dutch Oven
If the couple will combine their families under one roof, they might need bigger cooking supplies to feed a crowd. Upgrade their Dutch oven to this nearly seven-quart cast-iron one from Great Jones. We especially love that it comes in seven vibrant colors to spice up their kitchen.
16. Personalized Blended Family Picture Frame
This wooden frame is a thoughtful gesture for your parent and new step-parent on their wedding day or shortly after. Available in two sizes, it features the inscription "On this day, two families became one," surrounded by hearts. It's perfect for showcasing a group picture from their wedding, creating a stunning keepsake.
17. Personalized Doormat
If you're looking for a unique wedding gift for a second wedding, this personalized doormat makes a thoughtful present. Made from durable natural coconut fibers, this eco-friendly wedding gift can be easily personalized with the happy couple's now-shared last name printed in a lovely script. It's even complete with a romantic heart.
18. Outdoor Pitcher and Drinkware Set
For the duo that makes the best homemade lemonade—and has the best backyard to enjoy it in—this is a refreshing second marriage gift. The entertainment set includes one glass pitcher and six highball glasses, perfect for serving their favorite drinks, whether boozy or not. Awarded by The Knot Registry Awards, you can trust it will be well-loved by the couple.
19. Backyard Pizza Oven
Here's another The Knot Registry Awards winner for couples celebrating a second wedding: An Ooni pizza oven will make their backyard the go-to hang-out spot amongst all their friends and family. In mere minutes, they can have delicious homemade pizza cooked to perfection.
20. Date Idea Cards
The Adventure Challenge is such a sweet wedding gift for second marriages, especially if the couple in question already has everything they need. Their Mini-Dates card pack will help them connect further with unique scratch-off challenges that can be completed at home (or nearby) in 30 minutes or less. Date night has never been easier, all thanks to you!
21. Bluetooth Record Player
If you're shopping for a wedding gift for an older couple's second marriage or a pair of audiophiles, a turntable makes a clever gesture. This sleek turntable features a versatile three-speed record player, dual Bluetooth connectivity and a headphone jack, making it a perfect blend of vintage charm and modern convenience. Whether they're playing their favorite vinyls or streaming music wirelessly, this device promises to enhance their shared love for music and help them dance into their new chapter together.
22. "Just Married" Candle
Keep the wedding gift for a second marriage small yet sweet with this candle. The label reads "Just Married," and smells like celebratory champagne. Best of all, the cute box has space for a handwritten note, so you don't need to attach a card.
23. Personalized Casa Dragones Bottle
A personalized bottle of Tequila Casa Dragones Joven from ReserveBar makes a sophisticated and memorable second wedding gift. Presented in a personalized 100% pure crystal decanter, this ultra-premium spirit combines silver tequila with a touch of extra-aged añejo for a smooth and complex flavor profile. Simply select "Custom Engraving," and their names will be expertly hand-scripted by a calligrapher on the label. This gift not only promises a luxurious taste experience, but also serves as a timeless memento of the couple's special day.
24. NFL Tickets
How about an experience gift that lets them go on a fun date in their hometown? If they're sports buffs, NFL tickets (or NBA, NHL or MLB tickets) will be a fitting wedding gift. Choose an amount, then send the voucher over email for them to use on the next game they're around for.
25. Interior Design Consultation
All couples go through the challenge of combining their furniture and decor to create a home—and the result is not always super cohesive. Help the newlyweds begin their life together with a face-lift for their space. Havenly offers two levels of professional design assistance, so the couple can create an interior design aesthetic that represents their individual and shared tastes.