The morning of your wedding will be a mixed bag of emotions – and if you want to bring even more tears in to the equation, a thoughtful gift full of love from your partner is sure to do it. A lot of couples opt to have a little something for their soon-to-be hubby or wife, to mark this special day and to tell them just how much they mean to them. There are lots of lovely things you can do for your OH on the morning from having the girls have her favourite brekkie ready for her as she battles the nerves on the big morning, hiding a special, practical or silly gift beside her pillow (it may mean nothing to others but the world to you or it could be something that only you get), for others it’s all about the sentimental and romantic touches to show them how much you care. From a simple handwritten note, to embroidered notes to the lyrics of your first dance song hand crafted in to a piece of pretty wall art, here’s 10 touching gift ideas to wow your other half with…
The Words to your First Dance
Image via NotontheHighStreet | Image via NotontheHighstreet
If you’re looking for a super sweet reminder of this happiest of days and your first dance as fully fledged newlyweds (even if there was the odd toe stomping) – this adorable idea is a winner. Have the lyrics of your first dance song made in to a piece of fabulous wall art that you can hang in your home to remind you of the happiest times! This gorgeous gift idea is available from NotonTheHighstreet.
Handwritten Note
Image via Ruffled by Alela Lovely | Keepsake Box via NotontheHighstreet
It would take a brave groom to write on the very shoes the wife-to-be spent months trying to find – but we can be sure the majority of brides would appreciate the gesture if their OH half actually mustered up the courage to put a pen to the soles. If you’d rather not risk her wrath, go the old-fashioned route and write a simple and heartfelt letter. It’s something that will be cherished long after it’s thumbed and tear-stained – and what could be better than some meaningful words about how you’re feeling as you’re set to say ‘I Do’. We’ve no doubt reading such a beautiful letter on the morning of your wedding will turn you to mush so be sure to have the waterproof mascara at the ready and make-up artist on standby (as well as a box of tissues). The other option is to scrawl a message on the inside cover of a favourite book, love book or poem or for the media savvy – opt for a pre-recorded video. The old tradition is of course that you shouldn’t see the bride/groom on the big day (we say forget tradition if it works for you) but if you are the superstitious type, who’s to say you can’t see him or her on a virtual screen with a li’l pre-recorded message!
Flower Girl Note
Image via Scott Shore Photography
Your poor partner will be riddled with nerves waiting at the top of the aisle. Take him/her by surprise with this thoughtful gesture sure to put him at ease – have your flower girl or page boy hand him/her a note with one simple line on it (something as simple as I can’t wait to marry you or whatever it is that sums up how you’re feeling on this momentous occasion!) at the top of the altar. You won’t get to see the priceless reaction (however, the photographer might get to capture it) but you can guarantee it will be one of two things – tears or a smile.
Locket with Message
Locket via Etsy | Message in a Bottle via NotontheHighstreet and Capsule via NotontheHighstreet
Bridesmaids – if your pal is looking for something sweet to get his/her lady for the big day, keep this one to one side. This cute locket has a special little place for a love note and can be worn as your something new on your wedding day (we’ve also spotted quite a few book lockets on NotontheHighstreet, perfect for book lovers). Anotther sweet option is the message in a bottle style pendant or capsule, sure to go down a treat with all the old-school romantics. We also love the idea of making a little jar full of things you can do together during your first years as newlyweds or a little message for each day (or each week for those struggling with the idea of 365 days!!)
Embroidered Tie
Image via Style Me Pretty – Jane Shields Photography | Image via Green Wedding Shoes by Heather Kincaid Photography
This will take a little bit of craftiness (try when the footie is on) but if you manage to pull this off and stitch a little message on to your future hubby’s wedding tie, imagine that grin when he sees it on the morning of your wedding?! You could even give the photographer a bit of a heads up if you want to capture his priceless reaction. If he’s not sporting a tie BTW, you can have something stitched in to the inside pocket of his suit – but you might want to come up with something a tad more romantic than ‘Last day of Freedom’!
Tears of Joy Hankie
Image via Etsy | Image via Green Wedding Shoes by Heather Kincaid Photography
The journey, the day – it’s all going to be emotional, believe us! So for couples that know their other half will be all teared up at the altar, during the speeches and at a zillion other magical little moments throughout the day, give them a hankie for their tears of joy as a sweet gift idea they can have to hand whenever the tears flow. If you want to make it even more personal you could embroider (or rope in your mam or friend to do it for you if you don’t have the most nimble fingers) a little message or the date to make it all the more meaningful.
The Sweetest Cufflinks
If you want to get your man something practical yet utterly thoughtful to mark this special occasion, think cufflinks. There are some very quirky cufflinks that can be bought and personalised from jigsaw pieces made to fit each other that can be engraved to these little envelopes complete with wooden message, both from NotontheHighstreet (we also love the idea of Bond style 007 cufflinks which has a hidden scroll for you to scribble something lovely – available on The Man Registry and these engraved book lockets on NotonTheHighstreet). It’s something he’ll be able to treasure forever and you can enjoy watching him break them out for anniversaries and all the other big occasions down the line too, sure to bring back the fondest of memories.
Bottle of Bubbly with Message
Image via Wedding Photography | Image via Parties for Pennies
One thing is a given on a wedding day – there will be champers! We love the idea of grooms getting a sneaky bottle of bubbly to the maids for the bridal party to enjoy as they’re getting ready on the big morning – but no ordinary bottle – have him scribble a note to the future wife for a really special surprise as she goes to pour (one of) her last glasses of bubbly as a single lady! Be sure this bottle doesn’t make its way in to the recycling – it will be a gorgeous and sentimental keepsake you can have in your wine rack (or in pride of place with some gorgeous waxy candles) that will forever remind you of such a special morning.
Key to Heart Boutonnière
Image by Kara Petra Photography
You’ve heard the old phrase ‘key to my heart’ – if you’re looking for a sweet take on this get your hands on an old key (the likes of Etsy sell them by the barrel load) and give it to your partner as a symbolic and oh-so-romantic gesture on the big day – you could even pair it with an engraved keyring. For those that want to tie it in with the suit, you could have it made in to a boutonnière so it can be worn on the wedding day or if it’s a private gift, have him tuck it in an inside pocket.
Engraved Wedding Bands
Image by Jules Bianchi Photography
Surprise your groom/bride by having your wedding rings engraved with the date, your names or a beautiful quote that means something to you both. This could be done on the QT before the big day and you could then tip off the Best Man if it’s the groom ring you’ve given a sentimental make-over – it would make for a gorgeous surprise on the morning of the wedding as the hubby-to-be checks they’re safe for the umpteenth time. Even if your Oh doesn’t get their first glimpse of the new fainne until after the ceremony, they’ll be bowled over by this lovely gesture.
