Wedding Gifts

A wedding gift list for 'the couple that has everything' is a tricky one. After all, what can you get them that they don't already have?

A cool alternative is getting your guests to buy vouchers towards your honeymoon. It's also a great solution for people who already live together and perhaps would prefer some help towards paying for their dream honeymoon.

In a modern world where tradition doesn't always dictate matters, this type of wedding gift list option offers something a little different. Who says you have to have a cutlery set on your wedding gift list? Why can't you have a 2-week holiday in the Maldives instead?

Well, now you can. We spoke to Lisa Warner at Trailfinders - they're a well-respected holiday company, and to be fair, this type of wedding gift list was their idea!

So Lisa, why was the Trailfinders wedding gift list created?

So many couples have now lived together for years before they get married, so there is not the same demand for new household appliances that there once was. Additionally, couples often want to have a once-in-a-lifetime holiday for their honeymoon - so we offer real flexibility on our tailor-made holidays, rather than the more traditional package holidays.

We already offered a gift voucher service and when we realised these were sometimes being used to help finance honeymoons we set up the wedding gift list service.

What exactly does your wedding gift list offer?

Couples can set up their wedding gift list with minimal effort by registering certain details such as date of wedding etc. We will then post out their pack complete with 100 personalised gift cards. Family and friends can then contribute by phone, post or online and send their own message to the couple. Couples can also choose whether they wish to transfer the contributions to their honeymoon or take vouchers for future use.

How flexible is it?

Very! As mentioned before couples can choose when they want to use it and if they take vouchers can split these up to help pay for as many different holidays as they like.

So the final amount raised can be split into different holidays?

Yes - see above, although we are not able to offer any change in cash.

What do you feel is the best aspect of your wedding gift list service?

Many services allow wedding guests to purchase a hotel night/experience etc but none allow the flexibility of simply a donation to the overall honeymoon. This means that guests are not restricted in what they purchase as their gift.

Are there any incentives for people to use your wedding gift list service?

No - other than the knowledge that they can have a fantastic honeymoon, booked by 'the travel experts' and paid for by their closest friends and family!

Do you have any unusual stories from customers who have used the wedding gift service?

Well, we have had a particularly unusual message from one user to be passed on to the bride & groom: "Have a truly fantastic day and may your marriage be like a kitchen table... four legs and no drawers..."

Nice, very romantic! To wrap this up then, do you have any particular pieces of advice for couples when they're starting to think about their wedding gift list?

Be sure you can pre pay for your honeymoon as no funds can be released until the list closes. Or alternatively wait until your wedding gift list closes, then book your honeymoon.

I'd also say make use of the guest cards provided as they provide all the relevant information for your guests to contribute.

But most importantly, don't feel pressured to go with the bog-standard wedding gift list. If you feel like you don't need another 12 plates, then look around for something different. There are lots to choose from!

Further info

The learn more about the Trailfinders wedding gift list service, go to www.trailfinders.com/giftlist

Click here to go back to the wedding gift articles homepage - where you can read what John Lewis have to offer and you can also learn how to compile your own wedding gift list.