28 Bridal Shower Gifts That Aren’t on the Couple’s Registry

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Whether this is the first or fiftieth bridal shower you’ve attended, there is always some thought that must go into picking the absolute best gifts for the bride. While traditional bridal shower gifts were intended to help the newlyweds settle into their marital home and start their new life together, many brides choose to forgo these outdated practices for more modern options.

And as you can see from our name, we are all about being modern. That’s why we’ve decided to curate our favorite bridal shower gift ideas based on what brides really want (not just what they feel pressured to or think they should ask for)

Our unique bridal shower gift list features fun ideas that may not be found on the couple’s registry but are guaranteed to be cherished by the bride and groom for years to come. From sentimental keepsakes to cute souvenirs, we’ve got 28 fabulous finds for all prices and personalities!

Unique Bridal Shower Gifts

To us, the best bridal gifts are those that are truly one-of-a-kind. Going above and beyond to purchase something out of the ordinary will mean so much to the bride-to-be. Below are our top seven selections for unique bridal shower gifts.

circular street sign decoration

Street Address Sign

Whether the couple is already living together or will be moving into a new home after the wedding, this custom street address sign is the perfect present to commemorate their new chapter as Mr. and Mrs. Choose from six different sizes and thirteen color options.

Wedding First Wine Bottle Labels

What could possibly be more unique than helping the couple celebrate their “firsts” as newlyweds? From their first night to their first anniversary, these labels cover all the milestone moments in their first year of marriage.

bridal shower gift labels

Custom Coordinates Necklace

This is one of the more unique of our bridal shower gift ideas because it allows you to choose which location to feature as the coordinates. It could be the couple’s home address, the location of their wedding, or another deeply personal location…it’s totally up to you!

Champagne Wedding Vase

This keepsake wedding vase is such a unique gift idea that can be used for years to come. Made from an upcycled champagne bottle, the deep green glass is etched with a “label” that can be personalized with the couple’s names, wedding date, and location. This vase also makes for a great photo op on wedding day- just slide in the bride’s bouquet!

champagne bottle flower vase

Push Pin World Map

If the couple you’re celebrating is big on traveling, this is the ultimate unique wedding shower gift for them. Not only will they have a reminder of all their amazing adventures hanging right in their home, they’ll be able to plan for future travels as well! This world map comes complete with 500 push pins and can be customized down to every last detail- color, font, sizing, and framing.

Hearts Four-Across Game

As the description says, “The couple who plays together, stays together.” This unique gift for the bride and groom can be personalized up to four lines, seven characters each with names, anniversary dates, and/or any other sweet messages.

personalized connect four

Miss to Mrs Ultimate Bride Box

If you’re looking for an all-in-one mega bridal shower gift, look no further than Miss to Mrs Ultimate Bride Box. Packed full of 15 iconic items for the planning process, wedding day, and honeymoon, your bride-to-be will be overwhelmed by your generosity!

Bridal Shower Gifts for the Bride Who Has Everything

Is your bride-to-be hard to shop for because she already has so many cool things? Or maybe you’ve just exhausted all your great gift ideas over your many years of friendship? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then we recommend any of these seven ideas as the best bridal shower gifts for the bride who has everything.

Adventure Challenge Couple and Travel Bundle

The Adventure Challenge – Couples and Travel

You may think that your bride-to-be has everything she needs, but we bet she doesn’t have The Adventure Challenge! The adorable Couples Edition is full of 50 fun scratch-off adventures perfect for newlyweds who will have much to celebrate! And the Travel Edition has 30 fun experiences for any trip, perfect for the upcoming honeymoon! Buy either one, or both as a bundle! And don’t forget to use the promo code MODERNMOH for 10% off your order.

Custom Album Cover Plaque

For the bride who has everything, this one-of-a-kind piece makes for the perfect wedding shower gift. This custom album cover plaque featuring the couple’s first dance song is a forever way to commemorate the happy day and will only gain more meaning as the years pass. Available in three sizes.

custom map serving tray

Custom Map Serving Tray

Do the bride and groom have a special spot that is important to them like the location where they met or got engaged? If so, this custom map serving tray is an excellent bridal gift idea. Crafted from mango wood, it features a laminate top displaying three square miles around the address of choice, including streets, landscape features, and a star to mark the spot!

Anniversary Wooden Wine Box

This is one of our favorite bridal shower gifts for the bride who has everything because it’s simple yet oh so sentimental. This wooden wine box holds three standard bottles of wine, one to be opened on the couple’s first, second, and third anniversaries. The hardest decision you’ll have to make about this gift is deciding what kind of wine to include.

Anniversary Wooden Wine Box
custom road name print

Intersection of Love Print

Help the couple commemorate the moment their paths first crossed with this personalized art piece. This photo print not only features the names of the bride and groom but the important dates they share together. Available in color or black and white, framed or unframed.

Mrs Jean Jacket

We absolutely love the retro heart design on this totally adorable personalized Mrs jean jacket. Not only does it make for the perfect bachelorette party outfit accessory, but it can also be worn over top of the bride’s dress on wedding day for some super cute photos! 

custom denim jacket

Winc Subscription

Your bride may have almost everything, but she definitely doesn’t have wine being delivered straight to her doorstep every month. And if she does, it never hurts to send some more! With Winc, you can give your bride a one, two, or three-month subscription that can be redeemed at any time.

Cheap Bridal Shower Gift Ideas

The one thing we’ve learned about gift-giving is that pricier does not always mean better. So for those who are looking for bridal shower gifts on a budget, these cheap bridal shower gift ideas are perfect as a standalone or as part of a larger gift basket.

The Story of Us Photo Frame

‘The Story of Us’ Photo Frame

Sometimes going cheap means you have to sacrifice the cuteness factor, but not in this case. This ‘Story of Us’ photo frame is crazy adorable and super sweet. With four photo slots- date night, the proposal, Mr. and Mrs., and honeymoon- this keepsake is something the bride and groom will cherish for many years to come.

Wedding Vow Books

Chances are the couple is more worried about what their vows will say instead of where they will be written. Take that stress off of them by giving the future Mr and Mrs these super cute and cheap bridal shower gifts. As an added bonus, these wedding vow books can be customized with their names and wedding date!

his and her vows booklets
Cooking for Two Cookbook

Cooking for Two Cookbook

Do the couple you’re celebrating love to cook? Or maybe they’ve mentioned that they’d like to learn. Either way, this cookbook for two, complete with 650 different recipes, is the perfect budget-friendly wedding shower gift for them.

DELUXY Mr & Mrs Apron Bundle

Speaking of cooking, these matching Mr. and Mrs. aprons are totally necessary for those couples who crush it in the kitchen. Bundled together with two oven mitts, one potholder, and a romantic recipe book, this set is a chef’s dream. Not to mention, it makes for the perfect complement to the ‘Cooking for Two’ cookbook. 

DELUXY Mr & Mrs Apron Bundle
custom bookends

Wedding Book Bundle

Sometimes going cheap means you have to sacrifice the cuteness factor, but not in this case. This wedding book bundle is crazy adorable and super sweet! Featuring their shared last name and wedding year, this decorative keepsake is something the bride and groom will cherish for many years to come. 

Beeropoly

The newlyweds are going to have plenty of reasons to celebrate, so why not give them a fun game to play while they have guests over? Beeropoly features a series of beer challenges- from a rhyming competition to demonstrating their best dance moves- that continue until the last player is standing!

bridal shower gift board game
custom key ring holder

Key Ring Holder

Do your future Mr. and Mrs. tend to be a bit forgetful when it comes to their personal belongings? If so, this is the bridal shower gift for them. Not only is this key ring holder extremely practical (and customizable!), we can almost guarantee it’s not something they’ll be putting on their registry.

Personalized Bridal Shower Gifts

One of our favorite things about wedding shower gifts is they present the perfect chance to give a truly custom present. And while the majority of the gifts we’ve already mentioned can be made-to-order, these next seven are definitely our top picks when it comes to personalized bridal shower gift ideas.

personalized wooden hanger

Wedding Dress Hanger

Don’t let your bride-to-be’s dress hang from just any old hanger! Trust us, that does not make for a good photo come wedding morning. Instead, give her this rustic hanger, complete with a beautiful satin ribbon, with her future last name carved in wire. With four different hanger options and over 60 ribbons colors to choose from, this is the ultimate personalized bridal shower gift.

Engraved Cutting Board

We’re back on the cooking train with this next gift for the bride and groom, and what a great option it is! This personalized cutting board comes engraved with the last name and wedding year of the couple and can be customized down to the very last detail- wood choice, size, shape, and handle option. 

custom cutting board
wedding keepsake box

Wedding Keepsake Library

For all my matrons out there- where do you keep all your important marriage documents and wedding keepsakes? We doubt it’s in this adorable “Little Box of Us” (but we bet you wish it was). This cloth-covered organizer is a super stylish way to store all the precious items from the big day, making it totally worth the steep price tag. 

Wall Hanging Wine Rack

If your bride and groom-to-be are big wine lovers, this is the perfect personalized bridal shower gift to give. This handcrafted wine rack can hold up to five bottles of wine as well as four wine glasses and can be customized with five stain options and three fonts.

personalized beverage tub

Custom Beverage Tub

We love this option because it really is the gift that keeps on giving. For starters, you can actually use this particular gift during the bridal shower to hold bottles of wine and champagne. The bride and groom could also use this beverage tub during their own wedding, especially if they choose to have a serve-yourself-style bar. It’s a total win-win!

Passport Holder & Luggage Tag Set

Are the future newlyweds traveling internationally for their honeymoon? If so, this passport holder and luggage tag set make for the perfect bridal shower present. Not only does this set feature the bride and groom’s names, but it can be personalized by cover style and color as well!

wooden wine and cheese carousel

Wine & Cheese Carousel

Last on our list of personalized bridal shower gifts is this all-in-one server that combines a cheese board, wine bar, and lazy Susan in a stylish, cherry wood design. While this gift falls on the more expensive side of the scale, it’s totally worth the price if the couple is big on hosting wine nights and/or dinner parties.

Frequently Asked Questions

While deciding on the best gift for the bride-to-be, you’ll want to keep in mind the expectations that go along with this special occasion. Below we’re breaking down the three most frequently asked questions when it comes to bridal shower gift etiquette.

What gifts do you give at a bridal shower?

As we touched on at the beginning of this article, traditional bridal shower gifts were those that would go towards the couple’s new marital home. Think kitchen appliances, dinnerware, serveware, bedding, and bath towels. Nowadays, however, many modern couples are already living together at the time of their wedding, so there is less of a need for such household items. 

To determine the best gift for the couple you are celebrating, it’s best to ask yourself a couple of important questions. For one, is there a registry that you can shop from? If yes, then simply determine your budget and select an item or two that fits within that. If not, is there a specific theme to the shower? For example, it could be a stock-the-bar party or a honeymoon-themed shower, in which case your gift can be based on those guidelines.

Last but not least, double-check the wording on the invitations to make sure that gifts are in fact required. Look for phrases such as “in lieu of gifts” or “your presence is our present”. If you are still unsure, reach out to the host of the shower with any questions.

How much should you spend on a bridal shower gift?

For starters, let us just say there is no magic number that is deemed the appropriate amount to spend on a gift for the bride. Every individual will need to determine a budget they are comfortable with based on their own personal factors. But to keep it simple, we recommend budgeting your gifts according to the traditional 60-20-20 rule.

According to this rule of thumb, 60% of your budget should be spent on the wedding gift, 20% on the bridal shower gift, and 20% on the engagement gift. Of course, these numbers can be tweaked one way or another depending on your preference. Just make sure you don’t overdo the bridal shower gift and leave yourself with no money left for a nice wedding gift!

For our maids of honor specifically, this question is especially tough. Sentimentally you may feel that since you are the closest of friends to the bride, you should be spending the most on the bridal shower gift. However, as the host of the shower, you are already spending more than everyone else to make it happen.

That’s why, in our honest opinion, we do not feel that a higher price tag is what makes a gift great. You could easily purchase something for $150 that is not nearly as sentimental as something that costs half the price. Additionally, we do not feel that any person should have to stress financially over a gift just because they are the maid of honor.

MODERN MOH TIP: If you have your eye on a gift that you feel your bride will absolutely love, but it’s way over your price range, consider splitting the cost with another bridesmaid. We’ve definitely done this a time or two!

What’s the difference between bridal shower gifts and wedding gifts?

As we mentioned before, the wedding gift is traditionally the larger of the gifts given in terms of monetary amount. Even if you don’t follow the 60-20-20 rule exactly, you should always make sure that your wedding gift is more than the bridal shower gift.

Traditionally bridal shower gifts and wedding gifts were both purchased from the couple’s registry. Nowadays, most guests simply choose cash or check as a wedding gift and leave the registry to those attending the bridal shower.

When it comes to gift-giving as a maid of honor, we feel it’s totally acceptable to follow those same guidelines if you so choose. In all of our experiences as MOH, we’ve always given a personal gift at the bridal shower and a check for the wedding gift (cause let’s be honest, everyone really just wants money)

MODERN MOH TIP: If you are worried about not giving enough, speak with your fellow bridesmaids to make sure you’re all on the same page. You all have already spent plenty on the pre-wedding festivities, there’s no need for anyone to outdo anyone else.

UP NEXT: 8 Bridal Shower Games Guests Actually Want to Play

28 Bridal Shower Gifts That Aren\'t on the Couple\'s Registry28 Bridal Shower Gifts That Aren\'t on the Couple\'s Registry28 Bridal Shower Gifts That Aren\'t on the Couple\'s Registry

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