Gifts-your-guests-actually-want-1

7 Unexpected W-Day Gifts

CATEGORIES 

October 1, 2020
Words by Jennifer Stein
Photos courtesy of

No longer are monogrammed flasks and barware the obvious go-to gift options for your wedding party or for the couple-to-be. Guests and engaged partners are branching out and offering up useful, thoughtful gifts that can be used beyond the special occasion. We’ve tested out every one of the items on this list to ensure the quality of each product is worth the investment. Read on for inspired gift ideas perfect for your most cherished of loved ones.

Loungewear is Not Just for Saturdays

JJwedding (brought to you by the makers of JJwinks has created the most buttery soft sets for the most “endowed” of women. With a built-in bra and super flattering loose fit, the tops get an A+ rating from our busty team. Their Light Hug™ bra system keeps ladies’ assets in place while offering the comfort of a pajama and the flexibility of loungewear. Fit is true to size and comes in multiple colors. Lovestruck top is $75 and Fairy Tail Short is $49. Perfect for the entire bridal party and getting ready photos. They also offer an assortment of robes, nightgowns and pull overs in the same soft material.

Get Warm and Cozy

For chillier destination weddings, ChappyWrap is a great gift that guests can bring home and enjoy for years to come. Even if you plan to head beachside, this thick blanket could be used for picnics, a lap warmer when the sun goes down or just a fun throw to have around. The Original Size Collection is 60X80 and is large enough to fit a twin-sized bed. Choose from countless styles and sizes that can coordinate with not only your destination but with your wedding color palette. The blankets are velvety soft and although thick, ChappyWraps are made of 100% cotton, making them easy to wash without losing their original feel. Prices start at $135 for their Original Size and go down with the smaller blankets.

Personalized Jewelry

Jewelry can be a tricky gift as everyone’s styles and preferences can be so wildly different. And to find something truly special can usually break the bank. That’s why when Capsul reached out to us to try their product I was pretty thrilled. They have a wide selection and most options come in gold, rose gold or silver, allowing just about anyone to find something they like. My favorite pieces are their dainty lockets as well as their Roman numeral pieces. They custom created a necklace for me, which had my wedding date in Roman numerals. Super sophisticated and simple, it goes with any outfit and I am regularly complimented on it. The gold has not faded or tarnished and is well worth the $170 investment. They have other lower priced items as well and an entire “gifts under $100” section on their site that includes rings with birthstones and other personalized items. Not only would this be a perfect gift option for your wedding party, but for other special occasions including anniversaries, birthdays, mother’s day…you name it!

Brow Power

Big, beautiful eyebrows and lashes are all the rage right now. Defined and sculpted or fluffy and natural, eyebrows can make or break a wedding look. A fun and unexpected gift for the girls, Fluff’N Brow Pencil can help the helpless when it comes to creating that perfect brow. With six shades to choose from, no matter what your skin and brow color, you’re covered. Application is easy and you can achieve different looks with just one self-contained product. This three-in-one wand includes a pencil, tinted balm and brush (or spoolie) so you’re not searching through your makeup bag for multiple items. Available at Sephora and also on Velour.com for $25.

Dress Rehearsal

Azazie is known for their traditional bridesmaid dresses and celebration wear, but they’ve just added a new collection to the lineup that would be a perfect gift for bridesmaids so they have something gorgeous to wear long after the wedding is over. Azazie’s new Boho Collection is inspired by destinations all over the globe and their nine new styles range from flowing and flirty to plunging and playful. Most come in seven color options, all are floor-length and prices range from $79-109, making them not only beautiful, but beautifully affordable. They sent us the Saint Tropez style in dark navy and although the fit was a little on the small side, it was flattering and the fabric was soft and high quality. Since many dresses come in similar colors, bridesmaids could easily select their favorite silhouette but in the color of the couple’s choosing.

The Ultimate Scented Gift

For a crowd-pleasing gift, give the fragrance of a hand-poured scented soy wax candle by Waxing Kara. The gorgeous handcrafted pot is made from recycled stone dust and can be repurposed into a plant holder or vase. It might take you a while to get to that stage as the candle burns for 95+ hours. The scents are strong, so you’ll smell the lovely lavender, forest or honey scents before you even light them. Set this in a large room as it would be too overwhelming for a bathroom or smaller space. These candles are truly special as they were inspired by Kara’s honey farm and contain over 30-ounces of hand-poured soy wax and patented cotton ribbon wicks. The fragrances are phthalate-free and each candle retails for $98. Browse the rest of their site as well as they have loads of bee and honey inspired gifts.

Our Favorite Hard-Sided Luggage – EVER

Having to add pages to one’s passport (save for 2020), we are pretty opinionated when it comes to luggage. We’ve tried it all – packing cubes, rolling our clothes, hard-sided luggage, soft-sided bags, totes, you name it. But the ROAM suitcase might be the best of all the products we’ve tried so far. The best part about this roomy piece of luggage is that it is fully customizable. And I mean you choose every color on the suitcase. The panels, the handles, the stitching and even the wheels come in different colors. Want a monogram? That’s included. There are literally over a million possible color combos. This is the ideal gift for a honeymoon and with the durability, a set of luggage from ROAM will last you well into your marriage. The Jaunt was the size sample we received and customized and is perfect for a 2-4 day getaway. The size is carry-on standard and even though this product is hard-sided, there is enough flex to really pack it in. The weight of the case is super light, the wheels glide as if on ice and the look of it had people stopping us at the front desk more than once. Luggage starts at $495 but with a 100-day risk free trial of a custom product made in the U.S., you’d be foolish not to give this one a try.

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