One of the most important moments in a person’s life is a wedding and the engagement that precedes it. On this day, the couple informs their family and friends about their intention to formalize their marital relationship, and many try to make the event as interesting and unforgettable as possible. In turn, the invitees prepare to present the bride and groom with an original gift that would remind them of such a joyful event. Future newlyweds also give engagement gifts to each other.
Gift for the bride
If a man wants to surprise his beloved on such a significant day for them, then he can present her with a short romantic trip. It’s also worth showing a little imagination and preparing something original. For example, order a book “Love story” for the bride, in which joint photographs will be printed and the history of the development of the couple’s relationship will be described.
All you have to do is select the pictures and write the text, and the publishing staff will do the rest. A romantically inclined bride will certainly appreciate a love song performed by her future husband. A young man need not worry if he has no ear for music, because all he needs to do is sing in a modern recording studio, and the sound engineer will try to make his voice perfect.
If you don’t know what engagement gift from the groom to the bride, here are some more unusual options:
- a touching declaration of love recorded on video;
- video clip, the heroes of which will be future spouses;
- original romantic poems read to a quiet melody;
- a large number of balloons filled with helium;
- a banner with the image of the bride and groom (it is better if it is located near the girl’s house);
- a large bouquet of flowers with a sweet note inside;
- a handmade box, inside of which there will be 100 notes with tender words;
- power of attorney to own the heart of the future husband;
- photo collage with joint photographs;
- cup with the inscription “For the first place in my life.”
Recently, many young people prefer to give their future halves bracelets, earrings, pendants and other jewelry as engagement gifts. Sometimes not too expensive gifts are given, because a more expensive event lies ahead - a wedding.
Do you need a ring?
As a rule, in Russia, a guy gave his beloved girl a ring as a symbol of fidelity and love .
If she agreed to the wedding, he not only handed the jewelry to his beloved, but put it on the ring finger of his right hand, since the ancient Slavs believed that it was from this finger that the subtle nerve of love went straight to a person’s heart. In the future, the ring became a kind of amulet for the couple. Interesting! In Old Slavonic “kolo” meant a wheel, a circle or a solar circle, and where the sun was, there was joy, light and happiness.
Therefore, the presence of a ring gave confidence that the wedding would definitely take place and be fun. In addition, wanting to consolidate the properties of the jewelry-amulet, girls often charmed it for good luck. Nowadays, some couples are pragmatic and prefer not to spend money on a ring in order to save money for the upcoming wedding. However, most lovers honor signs and ancient traditions, so they diligently prepare for the cherished day, selecting engagement jewelry in advance according to all the rules.
A marriage proposal will be unforgettably romantic if a man presents his lady with a ring. Also, the decoration on the girl’s finger will indicate that she already has a chosen one and will soon get married.
What kind of ring do you give?
Previously, there were no high demands placed on an engagement ring and it could not be very expensive or bright. However, it was with this decoration that the groom tried to emphasize the strength of his love, status and level of income. The more valuable the ring, the more proud the man was of his achievements. He demonstrated to his beloved his intention to surprise her in marriage, winning her heart every day.
Ancestors believed that the metal of an engagement ring symbolized different qualities:
- gold – wealth and love;
- silver – protection from demons and health;
- copper – fertility;
- aluminum – magic and reason;
- iron – endurance and strength;
- brass – devotion and protection from the evil eye.
When choosing a ring, what matters most is not the size of the gemstone, but the design of the jewelry. There is no need to shock your chosen one with your financial capabilities and bulky jewelry if she prefers something neat. The groom can ask the girl in advance what stones she likes and choose something unique. For those who are not an expert in jewelry and cannot decide on their own, experienced consultants from a good jewelry store will come to the rescue.
A man should not choose an engagement ring with his girlfriend. In the process, he mentally imagines his beloved, so in the end he acquires something tender and graceful. To avoid embarrassment, the groom should find out in advance where the ring is worn and the size of his beloved’s finger.
Today, gold is a popular metal for engagement rings. Nickel or palladium and copper are added to rose gold, but platinum, which is dense and easy to process, will be more expensive.
Note! When choosing a silver ring, it is important to remember that it is often worn on the same finger as the wedding finger, and doctors do not recommend combining two metals with opposite properties. In this case, it is advisable to purchase a set of rings (for engagement and for the upcoming wedding), made in the same style.
To the groom
According to ancient custom, the bride herself sewed a shirt for the groom and prepared something interesting for the groom’s parents. Of course, today few people dare to sew and embroider a shirt with their own hands, but on the day of matchmaking you can give your chosen one expensive, branded clothes.
A great addition to a shirt would be cufflinks or a tie. If the clasps are made of precious metal, they will turn out to be a very luxurious gift option.
What else do girls give their future husbands as an engagement gift?
- Watch;
- key rings;
- beautiful lighters;
- ring on the ring finger;
- a silver or leather-covered cigarette case with a specially made monogram or engraving.
Parents
It is important to take care of the groom's parents. When choosing a gift for them, you can limit yourself to an inexpensive option. In any case, the sign of attention will certainly be appreciated .
So, mothers will like:
- silk scarf;
- shawl;
- perfume;
- a tablecloth or a set of beautiful napkins for the festive table.
Dads will love:
- shaving kit;
- Eau de Toilette;
- good alcohol.
Advice! If your significant other has siblings, then you need to choose symbolic gifts for them as well.
Young
From parents
Matchmaking day is a big holiday not only for the couple, but also for parents, as well as for other relatives and close friends.
What do parents give to newlyweds as an engagement gift?
- Certificate for the purchase of household appliances;
- romantic trip;
- bed linen or bath towels with the initials of the bride and groom;
- a set of kitchen towels;
- suitcases or travel bags for upcoming trips;
- hand-embroidered tablecloths and napkins;
- glasses, pillows for rings, which will be useful on your wedding day;
- porcelain figurines depicting the bride and groom (they can be ordered from clay and porcelain masters);
- carpets (if the future husband and wife have separate housing).
If the wedding takes place very soon, then on the day of the engagement the parents can please the couple with decorations suitable for the celebration . For example, a girl will certainly appreciate a beautiful necklace, earrings or bracelet. Identical medallions with photographs inside will also look original.
Important! If the parents decide to say warm, parting words to the couple, then you should not read poetry. It is best to say congratulations to prose, from the bottom of your heart. The exception is original poems written for a specific couple and read by heart.
From guests
Undoubtedly, close friends and relatives will also want to congratulate the newlyweds. You can consider the following options for original gifts :
- photo panel depicting lovers;
- certificate for a visit to a romantic place: a VIP cabin in a cozy restaurant, dinner on the top floor of the tallest building, a pool or spa for two, a hot air balloon ride;
- funny refrigerator magnets with images of the heroes of the occasion;
- traveling by ship or boat;
- T-shirts with funny slogans;
- table or tray for breakfast in bed;
- umbrella for two;
- a bottle of good wine or champagne (instead of a label, you can stick a photo of lovers);
- a heart-shaped photo frame or magnetic board with a romantic design.
What else do guests give as an engagement gift? You can bring a cake, a box of chocolates or a bouquet of flowers to the party. In honor of the eve of the wedding, the bride's sisters often give expensive jewelry (an elegant pendant, an elegant brooch). You can also give future spouses a set of dishes.
How does engagement take place in different countries?
Different nations have their own betrothal traditions. For example, a Muslim engagement is marked by the fact that the groom can see the face of his chosen one for the first time. True, the custom is preserved only in Sharia countries, where marriage traditions are protected by religious principles.
But engagement among Armenians implies the obligatory presentation of an expensive gift to the bride. Most often this is an engagement ring. However, it can be replaced with a necklace, bracelet, even a tiara - the main thing is that the product is made of gold. The holiday is organized in the bride's house and is held magnificently, with the participation of all the couple's relatives. After this, the groom should not meet with the bride until the wedding.
European customs are somewhat more restrained and somewhat more practical. During an engagement in England, a real contract is drawn up, which specifies not only the wedding date, but also the requirements for the newlyweds.
Hand-made
Sometimes an engagement gift for friends or family cannot be purchased in a store. In this case, you can do it yourself. Then he will not be soulless, because you will put warmth, tenderness, the best feelings and emotions into him.
With the help of an unusual gift, you can beat the famous saying “Two boots make a pair.” To do this, you can felt, knit or sew boots in white and black. They are decorated with the groom's bow tie and the bride's veil. A present is presented with appropriate wishes.
Those guests who know the family well and are familiar with the basics of heraldry can come up with and draw a family coat of arms for the couple , complemented by an interesting motto.
A service hand-painted with special paints will no longer look trivial. On the dishes you can depict scenes from family life, humorous or wise sayings, and cartoons.
It would be interesting for newlyweds to receive a “patience box” as a gift , filled with vitamins, small sweets, chocolates and other goodies. It must certainly be accompanied by instructions that explain that eating the contents is necessary only in case of causeless sadness, misunderstandings and insults. It is explained to young people that sweets are endowed with the magical property of achieving harmony in the family and reconciliation. Such a comic present will not go unnoticed.
The bride and groom will certainly love a soft, warm mitten made from two cuffs and one common base. She will help her loved ones not to be separated even for a second.
You can make it yourself and add to the main gift:
- bouquet of sweets;
- a painting made in any technique (embroidery, felting, painting);
- wedding dolls (tildes) in the form of a bride and groom;
- family tree planted in a painted pot.
For the anniversary
It is very important that spouses give each other gifts on their engagement anniversary, because it was this date that became fateful in their life together.
- Every real man should definitely give a huge bouquet of flowers. Then you can take them to the most memorable places that you loved to visit together. Having pre-booked a place in a chic restaurant, go there after your walk for a romantic dinner.
- To make a truly original gift, you can order a musical troupe that will play your beloved wife’s favorite melody.
- The idea of creating a homemade video is recommended for women, where they can combine all the memorable moments together and express how dear their husbands are to them.
- For lovers of extreme sensations, jumping from a bridge would be a great idea! You can sign up for a jump on a special rubber rope, under the supervision of real specialists. The emotions experienced will only strengthen the already strong marriage bonds.
Love is the best gift that one person can give to another. Share this wonderful feeling with a loved one, and he will definitely respond in kind!
Money
According to ancient tradition, on the day of the engagement, the parents of the future newlyweds negotiated about the wedding and upcoming expenses. In Rus', the size of the bride's dowry was agreed upon in advance, and in some countries the father and mother of the groom gave potential matchmakers several envelopes containing gifts and money. The bride's parents, in turn, responded with an amount approximately equal to what was in one of the envelopes.
If you doubt whether money is given for engagement or not, then know that there is a belief. Newlyweds will never be in need if they keep at least one bill given to them on their engagement day. The money is placed in the family purse with the words: “This gift is more valuable than any other, and it will go forward to bring prosperity not for one day, but for many years.” You cannot spend the banknote under any circumstances.
Money is also a good engagement gift because with its help the bride and groom will be able to choose and buy for themselves what they really need and like. By adding up all the funds presented by guests, lovers can collect a significant amount in order to:
- buy something expensive for your home;
- pay partial expenses for the upcoming wedding celebration;
- buy the romantic trip you dreamed of (and not the one you have enough money for after organizing the wedding).
Advice! Sometimes those invited present money in an original way and create a special tree on which they hang envelopes with cash or checks. In this case, the amounts are not announced.
When deciding to give money, you can also stand out with originality by presenting commemorative silver or gold coins . They are sold at any bank.
If for some reason the invited person cannot come to the engagement, then he sends a bouquet of flowers by courier with his business card or a postcard with best wishes. In turn, the guy and girl must thank such a donor by phone or by return postcard.
What can you give other than money?
When deciding on a wedding present, follow the clear instructions:
- If possible, ask guests what they are giving. This must be done in order to avoid giving identical gifts.
- If you don’t know the couple very well, then talk to their inner circle and find out what they want for their wedding.
- A wedding is a joint event; the gift should be necessary and useful for both spouses. If you want to make the bride happy, then do not forget to give a separate surprise to the groom.
- During registration at the registry office, you should only present flowers. Other gifts: be it money or kitchen appliances, are given directly at the feast itself. If there is no feast, check with the wedding organizers where and how the gift presentation takes place.
- If you are giving a large item, do not forget about the packaging. Wrap it in gift foil and don’t forget to attach a card with pleasant wishes and parting words for a happy family life to the box.
- It is not customary to present certificates and vouchers if you are not sure of the desire of the married couple. For example, if you want to give a tour to the sea, then find out in advance whether your surprise will be appropriate and welcome.
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