Wedding Gifts That Wow

With my brother's wedding on the horizon, showers, receptions, gifts and traditions have been top of mind. A few weeks ago, my soon-to-be sister-in-law enlisted my help as she and my brother added items to their bridal registry. After living together for over a year already, she said they needed some more ideas for items to add to their registry, items outsite the scope of simple household staples that she and my brother already own. At the time, I was stumped, but after some brainstorming, researching and downright daydreaming, I compiled a list of ten wedding gifts that will wow.

Perfect presents for couples tying the knot (listed clockwise from top-left)

1. Wine Subscription Service: Think about when you head over to a couple's house for dinner, or attend a house-warming party; more often than not, you'll bring a bottle of wine for your gracious hosts. By the same token, consider purchasing a wine subscription for the newlywed couple. Gift the pair with a one-year subscription to Kwaf ClubK, a new Canadian subscription service that delivers six bottles of sommelier-selected wine to your doorstep, every three months. Not only does ClubK expose wine-drinkers to quality wineries not available in the LCBO, it ensures there's always a worthy bottle of wine on hand for that impromptu dinner party, or stress-reducing late-night libation.

2. Quality travel books on the couple's honeymoon destination: When my brother announced he and his new wife will be venturing to Paris on their honeymoon, I instantly knew I wanted to gift them with the best travel guides available on their romantic destination. DK's Eyewitness travel guides are my favourite, as they offer tons of pictures, maps, ratings, contact information and 12-hour itineraries for each destination, not to mentiona a concise history of the destination and its main attractions. Many designers are also producing travel guides to the world's most cosmopolitan destinations; Louis Vuitton and Kate Spade for instance, offer some great city guides. And last but not least, I'm a huge fan of the more niche Wallpaper City Guides, which provide current information on the trendiest spots in each city, where to shop, where to dine, where to find the best cocktail...what more could you ask for?

3. A high-quality vaccuum cleaner: This is a less glamourous option, but one that the couple on your list is sure to appreciate for years to come. High-end vacuum cleaners like the Dyson DC66 Multi-Floor, are built to last. Not only will this option keep the newlywed nest clean, it'll remove allergens from the home, and won't need replacing by the couple's first anniversary.

4. Monogrammed linnen napkins: With weddings often resulting in a shared initial, I love the idea of monnogrammed linens for a chic, traditional wedding gift. These white-on-white monogrammed dinner napkins from Williams-Sonoma are the perfect present for the couple you foresee entertaining with a preppy flare. They're a great wedding gift, as linen napkins aren't necessarily first on a couple's priority shopping list when first moving in together, but are nevertheless key for entertaining, and the monogramming adds a charming personalized touch.

5. A personal chef for a night: Many sites and magazines are now suggesting a gift-card to an upscale restaurant in the couple's hometown, as a fun, non-domestic wedding gift, but I figure a young couple without kids tends to dine out a little more often anyway. A much rarer, luxurious experience would be hosting a personal chef at your home one night. You recieve all the perks of a 5-star restaurant: gourmet food, wine pairings, someone serving your meal to you, and no dish duty, while recieving all the benefits of dining at home; that is, cozying up in your Jcrew pyjamas and fluffy Ugg slippers without having to find a parking spot or select a designated driver. While this gift can be on the pricier side, I think it's a great option for a few friends who want to go in on a special gift for the couple, and split the cost to bring their newlywed pals a unique experience to kick off married life.

6. A witty couple's journal: I stumbled across the above diary in this tiny shop on Granville Island, Vancouver, last summer. The diary, titled, "Reasons We Got Married (to be read in seven years)" is a dryly humourous journal in which the couple that just tied the knot can jointly record their thoughts on marriage and all the things they love about each other. Yes, it verges on the sickeningly sweet and corny side, but I think it's a special keepsake the couple will love coming back to, years down the road. If you can't find a journal with a similat sentiment, you can always build a custom journal online, with this app, or peruse Etsy for a similar item.

7. A high-quality camera: As a recent iPhone 6 convert, I must say I'm impressed with the camera and video quality on the device, but phones these days come and go, and nothing compares to a photo taken with a professional-grade digital camera like the Canon EOS 5DS, with all its bells and whistles. This gift is one that will last for years; it'll be there to capture honeymoon pics and shots of their first anniversary, and they can grab it to capture moments as their memories and family expand, over the years.

8.Statementware: In my search for the perfect wedding gift, I've come across some exquisite statementware for the kitchen and dining room. Pieces such as large serving platters, decorative bowls, and this gorgeous glass dessert dome make me swoon, and they'll come in handy on countless ocassions as a couple entertains, makes large batches of birthday cupcakes or simply wants to class-up a weekday dinner by tossing their salad in their crystal bowl. Hopson Grace in Toronto is my go-to spot for beautiful statementware; it carries options at a range of pricepoints, without sacrificing quality and sophistication. William Ashley is also a perfect place to find statementware.

9. High quality, wireless speakers: The first time I entered a Bang & Olefson store, I thought I had cheated the universe and time-travelled ahead by at least a century. The sound system options there are not only elegantly minimalist and streamlined, they're also world-class in terms of the sound they put out. Gifting the couple with high-end, wireless speakers like these, is certainly a pricier option, but one that the couple will appreciate in each of their homes as the years go by.

10. An indoor/outdoor grill pan: Equally exciting for the grill-master and the gourmand, this Le Creuset grill pan can be used in all seasons, indoors or outdoors, and makes for a delicious meal every time. Again, this is a high quality item that will last the couple a lifetime. It comes in a range of colours, and is so covetable, they won't even need to hide it when guests come over. They'll be thrilled to show it off.

To all those tying the knot this year, congratulations! To all those attending weddings this year, enjoy the open bar.

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