Why should we exchange wedding day gifts on our wedding day?

Given how chaotic wedding days are, Heely stresses the value of a quiet moment between the couple. “There's so much hustle and bustle on a wedding day. Sometimes we can lose sight of the purpose, which is to get married and to commit yourself to someone for your lifetime,” Heely says. “Having that moment of pause to exchange gifts is telling that person like, ‘Hey, I'm here for you, and I'm remembering you on this day.’”

How much should I spend on a wedding day gift exchange present?

How much to spend on a wedding day gift exchange present really depends on the couple. Regardless of what you choose, discuss those terms in advance, Babb notes. “Just like a wedding budget, a gift fund has to be what makes sense for that couple," she says. "You don't want it to be an extra point of stress, so it can be good to discuss the budget in advance so you can be on the same page,” Babb says. If you have a tighter budget, she said couples can also exchange meaningful letters in lieu of wedding day gifts. This option conveys the same sentiment but in an affordable way.

When should wedding day gift exchange presents be exchanged?

Babb emphasizes that half the fun of gift-giving is the physical exchange, so consider where the wedding day gift exchange will take place and how—you don’t want that moment rushed during a busy day. “For a lot of couples, it becomes almost an afterthought,” says Babb. The exchange typically happens before the ceremony. Once the couple is dressed and ready, Babb says couples often exchange wedding day gifts alone, with a photographer or videographer. A first look is a good opportunity for the wedding day gift exchange. Even if you aren’t together, the gift will still make your partner feel seen and special before saying “I do," and will create a relaxing moment of reflection before heading to the altar.

Do you have to give a wedding day gift exchange present?

Definitely not. It's totally up to the couple. Heely says that about half the couples she works with choose to do a wedding day gift exchange. She also emphasizes the value of handwritten notes. “A very heartfelt, timeless gift that costs no money is writing a letter to your S.O. for them to open on the wedding day," she adds. "It centers on the purpose of the day, focusing on the marriage and the love that they have for each other.”

The 20 Best Wedding Day Gift Exchange Presents of 2024

Your wedding day is the perfect time to surprise your soon-to-be spouse with a special gift, either before or after you walk down the aisle. While your guests have a whole wedding registry to choose from, a wedding day gift exchange with your partner is the opportunity to get creative.

When it comes to wedding day gifts, consider thoughtful keepsakes and timeless tokens. “It’s something you want them to have forever, so you’ll want it to have meaning,” says Maggie Heely, owner and lead coordinator at Weekend Wedding Warrior. Sentimental and personalized gifts are always an excellent choice.

Our Top Picks

Modern Map Art Three Heart City Map at Etsy

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Minted Heart Snapshot Mix Photo Art at Minted

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Uncommon Goods First Dance Personalized Art at Uncommon Goods

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Grand J Avenue Personalized Sweatshirt at Etsy

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Montblanc Pix Cufflinks at Montblanc.com

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Duncan & Stone Paper Co. Wedding Anniversary Journal at Amazon $48

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Uncommon Goods Personalized Wedding Keepsake Library at Uncommon Goods

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Wandering Rabbit Print Custom Foil Metallic Song Lyrics Art at Etsy

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Personal Wine Engraved Casamigos Tequila Blanco at Personalwine.com

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Kate Spade Keepsake Box at Amazon $50

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Modern Map Art Three Heart City Map

PHOTO: Etsy

View on Etsy

Take a trip down memory lane with this special wall art. Featuring three heart-shaped maps, it's easy to highlight significant events in your relationship in a personalized way. An ideal gift for couples who travel or move around, many use the hearts to show where they met, where they got engaged, and where they tied the knot. The sellers can make a map for any city in the world, and you can choose from a variety of sizes and materials to best fit your space. It's a thoughtful gift that shows you cherish your relationship and the next step you're taking.

Minted Heart Snapshot Mix Photo Art

PHOTO: Minted

View on Minted

Bring back memories with this heart-shaped photo collage. Highlight up to 30 photos of you and your love in this meaningful wall art. You choose from a variety of sizes, materials, and frames to best suit your home. With this beautiful, lasting piece of art, you and your S.O. can reflect on all your favorite moments—and look forward to creating more.

Uncommon Goods First Dance Personalized Art

PHOTO: Uncommon Goods

View on Uncommon Goods

Memorialize your wedding dance with a customizable, commemorative print that deserves a place on your living room wall. The Ohio-based artist creates nostalgic, vintage-inspired prints that will take you back in time. Using archival paper and pigment ink, the maker can personalize the print to include where you were married, the venue, the date, and your names.

Grand J Avenue Personalized Sweatshirt

PHOTO: Etsy

View on Etsy

For low-key couples, a cozy sweatshirt may be the perfect fit. This one is fully customizable, perfect for spelling out your partner’s name, your wedding date, or other wedding-related details. Available in six different muted colors, these crewnecks range from sizes S to 2XL and are great for lounging around the house or running errands. While it may be affordable, this sweatshirt doesn’t skimp on quality. It's made of pre-shrunk cotton and polyester, using a professional heat press to hand-place the lettering. It's definitely a thoughtful gift for rest and relaxation time after all the festivities.

Montblanc Pix Cufflinks

PHOTO: Bloomingdale's

View on Montblanc.com $210 at Bloomingdales

These sleek cufflinks are a splurge, but they'll last a lifetime. Crafted in Germany by an iconic brand, this pair will give an instant upgrade to his wedding day look.

Duncan & Stone Paper Co. Wedding Anniversary Journal

PHOTO: Amazon

$48 $45 at Amazon

Document memories in your marriage in more ways than just one. A written book of moments between the two of you is something physical you both can share and read back on in the years ahead. If your spouse is sentimental, this is also a thoughtful anniversary gift that they'll cherish for years to come.

Uncommon Goods Personalized Wedding Keepsake Library

PHOTO: Uncommon Goods

View on Uncommon Goods

There are going to be so many little things you want to keep and cherish from your wedding day, from invitations and menus to the special bridal hairpiece you wore. This library is meant to keep it all in one place so you can look back in an organized fashion. If your spouse loves to collect mementos, this library will keep them safe and organized.

Wandering Rabbit Print Custom Foil Metallic Song Lyrics Art

PHOTO: Etsy

View on Etsy

If your wedding song was something special to both of you or if your spouse is a music lover, gift them a personalized record. Choose from four frames, and customize further with a quote, your wedding date, and your names.

Personal Wine Engraved Casamigos Tequila Blanco

PHOTO: Personal Wine

View on Personalwine.com

If your spouse is a budding mixologist or just loves a good date night cocktail, a personalized tequila bottle is a lovely gift. Get it custom engraved with the date or location of your wedding as a memory of your special day.

Kate Spade Keepsake Box

PHOTO: Bloomingdale's

$50 $45 at Amazon View on Neiman Marcus View on Bloomingdales

This adorable keepsake box is engraved with the words "you & me" and is the perfect minimalist gift. They can keep it on their vanity to hold rings, cufflinks, and more.

Tiffany & Co. Tiffany Infinity Cuff

PHOTO: Tiffany & Co.

View on Tiffany.com

Your beloved will love this simple and sentimental reminder of your lasting commitment. This gorgeous sterling silver cuff bracelet from Tiffany & Co. features an infinity sign as a symbol of your everlasting connection. It can be worn with other bracelets or on its own and may become part of their wedding day jewelry.

Le Labo Santal 26 Candle

PHOTO: Nordstrom

$101 at Amazon $87 at Nordstrom View on Lelabofragrances.com

This hand-poured, 100 percent soy wax candle features one of the brand's most popular scents. Personalize the text on the front so they can have it as a keepsake long after it's finished burning.

Lunya High-Waist Washable Silk Pajamas

View on Nordstrom View on Neiman Marcus View on Saks Fifth Avenue

You can't go wrong with luxurious silk pajamas for a personal and thoughtful gift for your bride. This high-waisted set from Lunya has a cropped, button-down top and pull-on pants. The pants feature side pockets and high slits for movement. Available in a variety of solid colors and a stunning floral print, these PJs will be great for the honeymoon and beyond.

Oakdene Designs Personalised Couples Large Matchbox

PHOTO: Etsy

View on Etsy

Calling all candle lovers! This adorable jumbo matchbox is a perfect little accessory to have around the house as a reminder of your love. Personalize it with your initials and the date of your wedding, and pair with their favorite scented candle to complete the gift.

Katie Kime Monogrammed Austin Toile Ice Bucket

PHOTO: Katie Kime

View on Katiekime.com

This double-walled ice bucket (which can also be personalized) will make a statement on your home bar while keeping ice chilled for hours. Choose from several different fonts and colors, and include up to 18 characters of text.

Tiffany & Co. Makers I.D. Tag Pendant in Sterling Silver, 24"

PHOTO: Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.

View on Tiffany.com

The Tiffany Makers symbol on an ID tag, set on a simple chain, makes for a great gift for either the bride or groom. It's a timeless piece that will honor your loved one on your special day.

Waterford Giftology Heart Lead Crystal Box

PHOTO: Courtesy of Nordstrom

View on Nordstrom View on 2modern.com

This sparkling box will make a beautiful debut on your loved one's vanity or bathroom counter. Partially leaded crystal with gold accents make for a shiny piece that will be passed down through the generations. And, of course, the heart shape complements your love.

The Modish Home Wedding Song Print

PHOTO: Etsy

View on Etsy

If you both are into music and your first dance song is special to you, a piece of art featuring handwritten lyrics is a wonderful additive to your home decor. Select one of six sizes and either framed or unframed options.

Waterford Lismore Diamond Lead Crystal Picture Frame

PHOTO: Nordstrom

View on Nordstrom View on Waterford

Save your favorite photo from the big day to display in this leaded crystal frame. The elegant design makes for an even more glamorous view of a moment from your wedding. The silver-plated frame has just the right touch of sparkle.

Tiffany & Co. Rose Gold Eau de Parfum

PHOTO: Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.

View on Tiffany.com

A fine perfume on the big day will make for a treasured gift—and one your new spouse can incorporate into their getting-ready routine. This scent contains notes of blackcurrant and blue rose. You even have the option to personalize the bottle with an engraving of your choice.

What to Look for in a Wedding Day Gift Exchange Present

Timelessness: A wedding day gift exchange present stands apart from gifts for other occasions because it symbolizes the commitment and milestone as a couple. Look for items that will stand the test of time, featuring materials that only get better with age. Sentimental and high-quality items are no-fail options for a wedding day gift exchange present.
Thoughtfulness: Make sure the wedding day gift exchange present speaks to your partner—and start hunting early. Christina Burton Babb, owner and lead planner of Christina Burton Events, says that one of the biggest mistakes she sees is when a couple waits until the last minute, both for getting a gift and for planning when the wedding day gift exchange will take place. Personalized gifts are always winners because they show the extra level of planning and care that went into the gift process. Heely encourages couples to reflect on their partners and consider what wedding day gift exchange present would truly make them feel loved and special.

FAQ

Why should we exchange wedding day gifts on our wedding day?

Given how chaotic wedding days are, Heely stresses the value of a quiet moment between the couple. “There's so much hustle and bustle on a wedding day. Sometimes we can lose sight of the purpose, which is to get married and to commit yourself to someone for your lifetime,” Heely says. “Having that moment of pause to exchange gifts is telling that person like, ‘Hey, I'm here for you, and I'm remembering you on this day.’”
How much should I spend on a wedding day gift exchange present?

How much to spend on a wedding day gift exchange present really depends on the couple. Regardless of what you choose, discuss those terms in advance, Babb notes. “Just like a wedding budget, a gift fund has to be what makes sense for that couple," she says. "You don't want it to be an extra point of stress, so it can be good to discuss the budget in advance so you can be on the same page,” Babb says. If you have a tighter budget, she said couples can also exchange meaningful letters in lieu of wedding day gifts. This option conveys the same sentiment but in an affordable way.
When should wedding day gift exchange presents be exchanged?

Babb emphasizes that half the fun of gift-giving is the physical exchange, so consider where the wedding day gift exchange will take place and how—you don’t want that moment rushed during a busy day. “For a lot of couples, it becomes almost an afterthought,” says Babb.
The exchange typically happens before the ceremony. Once the couple is dressed and ready, Babb says couples often exchange wedding day gifts alone, with a photographer or videographer. A first look is a good opportunity for the wedding day gift exchange. Even if you aren’t together, the gift will still make your partner feel seen and special before saying “I do," and will create a relaxing moment of reflection before heading to the altar.
Do you have to give a wedding day gift exchange present?

Definitely not. It's totally up to the couple. Heely says that about half the couples she works with choose to do a wedding day gift exchange. She also emphasizes the value of handwritten notes. “A very heartfelt, timeless gift that costs no money is writing a letter to your S.O. for them to open on the wedding day," she adds. "It centers on the purpose of the day, focusing on the marriage and the love that they have for each other.”

Why Trust Brides

Brides contributor Macy Alcico has multiple years of experience writing listicles and researching top gift picks across genres. From tech products to sports bras, Alcido has covered it all. As a recent bride herself, she has personal experience researching the wedding day gift exchange presents to prepare for the big day. Dagmara Cintron, a fashion copywriter with a passion for shopping and finding the best deals, also contributed to this article.

Maggie Heely is the owner and lead coordinator at Weekend Wedding Warrior, a wedding coordination company serving Kentucky and Tennessee.
Christina Burton Babb is the owner and lead planner of Christina Burton Events, based in Louisville, Kentucky, with wedding planners in Lexington, Kentucky; Indianapolis; and Cincinnati.