First, review the bridal registry. Many computer savvy couples are now listing their registries online. If you are shopping from out of state this can be a huge time saver. Look at the types of selections the couple have made and then find a Missouri made item in the same category. For example, if the couple has listed tons of kitchen items, such as mixing bowls, place mats and serving pieces, look to Missouri artisans for these items. Companies such as Bluestem Missouri Crafts, located in Columbia, offer stunning hand-crafted bowls made from local woods such as sycamore and maple.
Look to the honeymoon site for a special treat. See if there are special attractions or events in the honeymoon location. Symphony tickets might be a nice touch for the couple spending a week in St. Louis. Tickets to a Royals game for a baseball-loving couple bound for Kansas City would be a thoughtful gift. The University of Missouri Tigers have a huge fan base. If the couple are big Mizzou fans and spend their weekends tailgating, tap into that spirit with high end barbecue equipment If the couple will be going to a resort at Lake of the Ozarks, ask the family which attractions might be beyond the budget of a new couple just starting out.
Shop your local community. Missouri is filled with backyard artisans and crafters. What specialties are available in your hometown? Missouri wines and honeys are some of the best in the country. Add the serving pieces for these gourmet gifts for a local gift with Missouri flavor. Goblets and a selection of the best vintages from Hermann will delight a wine loving couple.
Think back to your own days as a young couple or what you would like to be given. Many newlyweds are on a tight budget those first few years. Think about what would be both special and luxurious for this new family. Are they moving into their first house and are garden fanatics? Specialty garden tools and a gift certificate to the local nursery might be perfect.
Ask family members for gift suggestions. If there is a big gift the couple would enjoy, but it's not within your means, see if other guests wish to combine their efforts. Pool your resources and get that lawn furniture as a group. Split the cost of a spa weekend for the couple among all the members of your family to stay on budget.
There are a few instances to be cautious when looking for wedding gifts. Be careful of artwork or home furnishings the couple has not specifically requested. Home decorating is a personal choice and it is easy to go astray. Look to the registry and the family for help with these types of items. That said, if you know the couple collects paintings from a specific artist or antique door knobs for their home, go for it. Clarify the specifics with family to make sure you are not duplicating what the couple has already acquired.
Selecting a wedding gift has nothing to do with how much you spend. This is your way of honoring a unique and special couple. The best wedding gifts are those that reflect you as the giver and the couple as the receiver. The smallest token, if it comes from the heart, will be appreciated and cherished by the newlyweds.
