Quirky Wedding Present

etymon

Hi all
Am chief bridesmaid for my best friend in September. Currently a student and have two options:
1. cash. I'm so old-fashioned, I think it's naff. Is it?!
2. something quirky. E.g. I know someone who got a bespoke birdhouse made for the couple, an exact replica of their first house together. Something like this would be cool except my friend and fiancé are only living temporarily in a flat in Scotland so it wouldn't work. Any other cool ideas that don't involve waterford crystal or household appliances?

Or should I just give cash... I'd like her to have something she'd always have and remember our friendship by instead and she's a bit sentimental like that too.

All thoughts greatly appreciated!

Electric Sheep

etymon wrote: »

Hi all
Am chief bridesmaid for my best friend in September. Currently a student and have two options:
1. cash. I'm so old-fashioned, I think it's naff. Is it?!
2. something quirky. E.g. I know someone who got a bespoke birdhouse made for the couple, an exact replica of their first house together. Something like this would be cool except my friend and fiancé are only living temporarily in a flat in Scotland so it wouldn't work. Any other cool ideas that don't involve waterford crystal or household appliances?

Or should I just give cash... I'd like her to have something she'd always have and remember our friendship by instead and she's a bit sentimental like that too.

All thoughts greatly appreciated!

Judging by many posts here, if you give a present instead of cash you will be considered extremely scabby by the bridge and will be mocked and resented for your ignorance of the fact that it is your responsiblity to pay for the couple's wedding expenses.

Howjoe1

cash !

I might hate the present you think is nice

pooch90

As a normal guest, just cash but I think the Chief BM should give something sentimental.

If you look on etsy.com you'll find loads of little quirky things that can be personalised.
If you're a super broke student, a home-made storybook of photos of the 2 of you or the happy couple could be sweet.

bee06

Total agree that etsy has some great stuff. Another idea would be a voucher for a night or two in a hotel? Or a voucher from their photographer to buy a canvas picture with one of their wedding photos.

rebel333

I got a great present at my wedding a few weeks ago, one of two presents! Both were lovely, different.. One was our initials with reused maps, where I'm from on my letter when he is from on his initial and the & was where we met and now live... Look up little white dog.ie. also a painting from Fiona thurley with our names and wedding date on it.. Google her..

Supraman

Cash . Much handier . What you can afford by the way doesn't have to be hundreds either .

Ever2010

We got married last week and were really touched by some of the personal gifts we were given by friends. A vintage coffee pot for me and a box of artizan beer for my husband (perfect), some fabulous tablewear which is very us, a commissioned picture from a friend incorporating things from our life.

While all gifts we got were fab, those ones really stood out as we knew those involved really thought of us and what we love when choosing them.

We also got two mini lego figures (a hippy man & woman) which were brilliant!

Some of our friends contributed to our day by making cakes etc which were amazing presents to get. And they put in so much effort.

clint_silver

etymon wrote: »

Hi all
Am chief bridesmaid for my best friend in September. Currently a student and have two options:
1. cash. I'm so old-fashioned, I think it's naff. Is it?!
2. something quirky. E.g. I know someone who got a bespoke birdhouse made for the couple, an exact replica of their first house together. Something like this would be cool except my friend and fiancé are only living temporarily in a flat in Scotland so it wouldn't work. Any other cool ideas that don't involve waterford crystal or household appliances?

Or should I just give cash... I'd like her to have something she'd always have and remember our friendship by instead and she's a bit sentimental like that too.

All thoughts greatly appreciated!

My next door neighbours gave us an office fan 12 years ago for our wedding. Both of us thought worst thing ever and for years I kept telling people "you'll never guess what someone gave us for a wedding present". Put it away in a corner in the attic. Last week in the heat we took it out of box for for first time ever and it kept us cool at night. Just kept thinking what an absolute legend the neighbour was. Think outside the box.

Gatica

while getting some cash is nice, there's nothing like a thoughtful present. If you have an idea for what they like, then that's a brilliant present.
Friends of ours got a painting of the beach outside the hotel they got married in from an aunt. It now hangs in their kitchen.

Malari

Gatica wrote: »

while getting some cash is nice, there's nothing like a thoughtful present. If you have an idea for what they like, then that's a brilliant present.
Friends of ours got a painting of the beach outside the hotel they got married in from an aunt. It now hangs in their kitchen.

I got an artist to draw a picture of the church my friend got married in, and framed it.

One of the best presents the two of us (not married!) ever got from a friend was a framed photo of us at a party. I didn't even realise it had been taken Honestly I would not prefer cash from a very close friend.

Moonbeam

Maybe get a picture of them printed on to canvas after the wedding.
DO not worry about having the present for the day it is so busy no one notices anyway:)
I would most definitely get her a present:)

ShaShaBear

I did a full album up for my cousin when he got married. I've quite lovely calligraphy-style writing, so I got a gorgeous photo album off the Donkey Sanctuary which was made of lovely dark cream and chocolate coloured recycled paper. Printed out pictures (their Facebooks were very useful) that I had edited a bit on Photoshop and ordered the best and most significant ones chronologically with a little note beside each one giving the event and date. I got a beautiful photo of them at the doorway of the church kissing with my phone, and printed it out in the local chemist and slipped it in at the end with a "Happily Ever After" and the date.

It went down such a treat, I might make it my "party piece" as it were. I want to do one for my own wedding next year, I don't think anyone would think to do something like that for us!

etymon

Guys thanks for the amazing tips! Talked to some of the other bridesmaids and none of them giving cash, think it's a bit tacky and I agree, fortunately the bride and groom are already moved in and comfortable financially so I think we are all getting personalised presents. Im getting them this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/94949859/4-personalized-map-wall-decor-prints?ref=shop_home_active - map where they first met in Scotland, where they lived in Australia, where they got engaged in Sri Lanka and where they will marry in Meath. They are both keen travellers so I think it's sweet.

ShaShaBear

etymon wrote: »

Guys thanks for the amazing tips! Talked to some of the other bridesmaids and none of them giving cash, think it's a bit tacky and I agree, fortunately the bride and groom are already moved in and comfortable financially so I think we are all getting personalised presents. Im getting them this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/94949859/4-personalized-map-wall-decor-prints?ref=shop_home_active - map where they first met in Scotland, where they lived in Australia, where they got engaged in Sri Lanka and where they will marry in Meath. They are both keen travellers so I think it's sweet.

That's actually incredibly sweet!

ElleEm

I had planned on getting this for friends of mine as their wedding gift.
They would be fun and into board games so it suits them.
It is also great for incorporating the street names of where they were born, went to school, first jobs, colleges, etc.

http://www.giftgenies.com/presents/personalised-monopoly-board

Ms.Sunshine

I am MOH and I will be making the cake!