Wedding gift ideas in Australia

Use the registry first

If the couple has a registry, start there. They made it so guests would not have to guess, and buying from it is not unimaginative. Pick something from the middle of the price range and buy early.

Off-registry gifts work when you know the couple well, or when you choose something that suits any home. A merino throw, a serving board or a set of linen napkins is hard to get wrong. Cash or a wishing well is common at Australian weddings. If the couple asks for one, give it, and pair it with a small gift like engraved coasters if you want something to hand over.

Gifts that last

A wedding gift gets used for decades. Our top pick is the Waverley Mills merino throw, woven in Tasmania and big enough for two on a sofa. For a couple who cook, the Solidteknics iron pan from Sydney is meant to last the whole marriage, and the matching wok suits a couple who stir-fry. The HexClad set replaces a whole cupboard of tired nonstick pans in one go.

For entertainers, the Maison Balzac glasses, the Robert Gordon board and the engraved paddle board all get used when friends come over. The Pik-Nik rug suits a couple who live at the beach in summer.

Spending, timing and mistakes

For a coworker or distant relative, $75 to $150 is normal. Close friends and family often spend more. For the HexClad set or the wok, go in with friends.

Check lead times. The Solidteknics pan and wok were pre-orders when checked, with the wok due mid-December. Engraved pieces are checked by the studio before they ship. Post to the couple's home after the wedding, not the venue. Glass and resin travel badly, and the resin coasters do not take hot pots. Iron needs oiling and linen creases, so choose for how the couple actually lives.

Questions people ask

How much should you spend on a wedding gift?

It depends on how close you are. Coworkers and acquaintances usually spend $50 to $100. Close friends and relatives often give $100 to $200 or more. If you are paying for travel to a destination wedding, a smaller gift is fine. Group gifts let you give something bigger, like cookware or a wool blanket, without each person overspending.

Is it rude to buy a wedding gift that is not on the registry?

No, as long as it is useful and fits the couple. Choose things that suit any home: good glassware, a wool blanket, a baking dish or a serving board. Avoid strong decor, large appliances and anything personalised unless you know their taste well. Include a gift receipt so they can exchange it without having to ask you.

When should you send a wedding gift?

Ideally before the wedding or within a month after it. Ship to the couple's home rather than bringing it to the reception, where gifts can get lost or broken. If you bring a card to the venue, keep it slim. Some items here are made to order or on pre-order, so check lead times.

What is a good wedding gift for a couple who already live together?

They likely have the basics, so think upgrades. Swap a tired nonstick pan for an iron one, give a proper chef's knife, or add crystal glasses for the drinks they already make at home. A yearly anniversary journal or a travel gift card for a honeymoon trip also suits couples whose kitchen is already full.