Money – Possibly The Perfect Wedding Gift

While it may seem impersonal or unimaginative, giving cash actually makes a lot of sense when it comes to giving newly married couples a gift – perhaps one they need most! After spending so much on their wedding – from wedding favors to caterers to photographers - they may be feeling some financial strain. On the other hand, they may be saving up for something big such as a car or a house, and you can get them closer to their goals by giving them a money gift. In fact, in traditional European-Canadian weddings (Italian, Greek, etc) and other cultures, a wedding gift box (i.e. money box) is often at the reception table.

A Luxury “Honeymoon Suite” Hotel Room

If the lucky couple is spending a night or two at home before they embark on their honeymoon, it may be a good idea to send them off to a luxury Canadian hotel during this time. Not only will they get to spend some quiet time alone with each other amongst elegant surroundings but it will also seem like they have started their honeymoon early. Just make sure to check with the mother of the bride before booking to ensure that they haven’t made any other plans at the time.

Honeymoon Assistance Gift

If you have already been to the place that the bride and groom are going to on their honeymoon, you can help make the moment even more special by arranging a tour or activity there that you know will be truly memorable. And if they are going somewhere you haven’t been, you could always do something else such as upgrade them to first class seating or purchase them a decent digital camera for the trip. Some extra spending money could also come in handy here.

Their Dream Wedding Gift

If a couple has a gift registry for their wedding, they will generally list a range of items, some more affordable than others. The most expensive items will be presents that they would really love but don’t really expect to receive. To put a smile on their faces and reward them for putting so much time and effort in arranging a fantastic wedding party and the like, it may be a good idea to spend a bit more cash on these items. Of course, if you cannot afford that particular gift, you can still get together with some friends or family and make it a group wedding party gift instead.

Of course, there are many more gift ideas that are suitable for the Canadian bride and groom, regardless of their tastes and personalities. If you have any advice in this area about presents that were a hit or that weren’t so well received, please help us out by leaving a comment below.

My Italian culture might have something to do with me making a career out of wedding bomboniere. My creativity is unlocked as favour ideas are endless, from practical wedding favours to keepsake gifts that are just oh-so cute. I remember growing up, my parents used to come home with all kinds of things – from tea pots to wonderful porcelain figurines. Most all these bomboniere went on display – often along the top of the kitchen cupboard uppers (ring a bell, anyone?). I’ll be honest, the funnest part for me for a while was eating the sugar coated almonds that often accompanied the bomboniere – the confetti!

When I launched my wedding favour business many years ago, I loved the fact I’d be dealing with brides excited about their upcoming wedding, and that I had a hand in creating their fairy tale wedding experience. Always very selective about the favours we’d stock, I always asked – is this “good enough” – would my Italian relatives approve and is it worthy of the kitchen cupboards? Fast forward a few years and I’ve learned that there are all kinds of tastes when it comes to wedding bomboniere – some guests adore practical favours while others love something they can put on display. The bomboniere I love most do both.

These days, relatives often ask about the latest bomboniere designs and styles, and what brides are asking for the most – after all, we talk to thousands of brides each and every year! I love giving favor suggestions. For those that will ask, as I’ve been many times, “What bomboniere did you have at your wedding?”. A set of four shot glasses – great wedding bomboniere still today if you ask me (and many brides). They’re one of those practical bomboniere that you can actually use among friends, and when not in use proudly displayed in your bar or glass kitchen cabinet (ok, so you won’t see them on top).

Today, though, I seek out more and more favours that are European inspired sure to please my Italian and other European friends who share very similar favour giving traditions. With items like hand painted olive oil bottles, customized espresso coffee cup sets, and even display-grade espresso makers, we’re finding that the world has emraced “bombonieres” as the Italians invented – or so at least I thought as a little girl!

Whether you’re looking for Italian wedding bomboniere for your wedding in Toronto or New York; or giving wedding bonbonniere a la my Montreal, Quebec cousins – make sure to do your famiglia proud and give party favours that are worthy of the kitchen cabinets!

About the Author:

Mary Maesano is a wedding favour industry veteran expert. Mary is the Founder and President of Greater Toronto Area based online wedding favour retailer In Casa Gifts. www.InCasaGifts.com

This post was submitted by Mary Maesano.

Welcome to CanadaWeds.ca Cultural Wedding Traditions area. Canada Weds will shortly become Canada’s authoritative wedding resource hub where brides, industry experts, professionals, and vendors can find everything about weddings in Canada. Here you’ll find expert author contributions on Cultural Wedding Traditions. Are you a subject matter expert in this area and interested in applying to become a contributing author? Apply now!