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Go-to wedding gift ideas from 11 design buffs

Gift ideas for every room in the home

By Jenny Xie

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tabletop serveware
Assorted tableware—including Ferm Living Ripple glassware recommended by Sight Unseen’s Jill Singer—in the home of Brooklyn designer Michael Yarinksy.
Photo: Heidi’s Bridge

Have one—or five—weddings coming up this year and feel a bit overwhelmed? When it comes to the gift-choosing aspect of wedding season, we can help. Our latest home shopping guide already has a host of fab kitchen and dining gifts for newlyweds, including a marble rolling pin and a ceramic water filter (an underrated wedding gift category!).

But for even more ideas (because you’re probably getting invited to another wedding as we speak), we turned to 11 designers and design experts, who shared some of their favorite wedding gifts to both give and receive. Read on.

Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.

“I have given the same gift to a few different people...and I like it because it’s the kind of thing you might not register for. But if the couple you’re giving it to likes to entertain, it kind of elevates any party. I mix and match the Hay serving tray and the Ferm Living Carafe Set and Glasses. I like the thought of coming out with a drinks tray at a party—it’s kind of a throwback but the super contemporary forms update it. I also think pretty much anything from Casa Shop would be a good bet—[there are always] great vases and candlesticks, and the Weeknight Serving Bowl by East Fork is also such a great gift.”

—Jill Singer, co-founder of Sight Unseen

“One of my favorite gifts received, that I definitely didn’t register for, is the Alessi Fatman [cake stand]. My grandmother-in-law got it for us because she loves Alessi. It’s really not our style, but we love having it out on a shelf since it’s just really fun, and practical when I need to put tiny pastries out. I also love giving this Mud fruit bowl because it can go great with anyone’s aesthetic, adds a pop of color, and you can always use a fruit bowl or two, so it doesn’t end up hidden away.”

—Kyle Hoff, co-founder of Floyd

“I think the Dansk Kobenstyle cookware is awesome. It’s beautiful, enameled steel: very functional and long lasting.”

—Mette Aamodt, architect, co-founder and CEO of Aamodt/Plumb

“I love gifting friends a set of [Dusen Dusen] bath towels. You can never have enough towels in my opinion, and these are super plush and fun—they spice up a so-so bathroom and bring some whimsy to a decadent one. While I’m at it, sometimes I’ll include a Cold Picnic bathmat if I’m feeling extra nice. I think they pair really nicely with the towels too so it’s a nice little set.”

— Ellen Van Dusen, designer and founder of Dusen Dusen

“First, plants of course—anything in a blush pot from The Sill. This Parachute quilt, my absolute favorite (also now in blush!). Hello, adult wine glasses. And this lighter-weight cast iron [skillet] makes everything better and instantly Instagram-able.”

—Eliza Blank, founder of The Sill

“Everyone has those small kitchen accessories that they’ve bought at a big-box retailer or a grocery store and never really thought about again. Graters and butter dishes may not be the most elevated objects in your current home, and they rarely make it onto wedding registry lists, so it may be a pleasant surprise for newlyweds when you can gift something as lovely as designer Makoto Koizumi’s Sitaku collection. Koizumi created a series of white pressure-cast ceramic preparation tools made in Arita, a region of Japan known for its ceramics workshops.

The collection includes juice squeezers, graters, containers, and dishes, in which you can both prepare and elegantly serve parts of a large or small meal. Feel like showing off? Koizumi designed the pieces of the Sitaku collection to be dexterously handled and maneuvered with one hand, so you can host with the other tied behind your back.”

—Jordan Hruska, design journalist and author

“I am obsessed with my Vipp salt and pepper mills. To be frank, almost anything from L’Objet works as an elegant gift. Elad [Yifrach] and his team simply hit the right note time and time again. Again with the salt and pepper shakers; these are just fun and lighten the mood. Any new spouse who has made dinner for discerning guests knows how nerve wrecking it can all be; these pieces add a little smile to any table.

A couple that meditates together is ahead of the game—why not give them some help. This [incense burner by Chen Chen and Kai Williams] might not be practical, but it can be used as a point of departure. Also these gorgeous stone candle holders by mother-daughter duo at Konekt furniture definitely set a mood. Frankly ‘a mood’ should be set daily. I learned the magical of a lit candle from my Danish friends. It really sets the tone, no matter what time of day or year.”

—Tiana Webb Evans, design writer and publicist (editor’s note: Vipp is a client)

Stone Candle Holders

Inspired by the “curves and contours of stones shaped by the ocean,” this solid brass design can be just a single “stone” or stacked in groups of three or five; each stone is different and can be spun to slightly change the look. The pieces are available in a polished and blackened matte finish.

“I love to give glasses from the Finnish brand littala. They make a great gift because they are distinctive yet classic enough to use every day.”

—Christiane Lemieux, founder of The Inside

“All my favorite wedding gifts (to give) come directly from some of our Colony designers, past and present: Mass Wine Stopper by Fort Standard, Wood Toolbox by Poritz & Studio, Kala Slender Ceramic Vase by Light and Ladder, Tulip Collection wine glasses by Felicia Ferrone.”

—Jean Lin, founder of Colony

“I always give one of two things: 1. [Michael Graves-designed Alessi kettle]. 2. I’m a fan of old-school rituals and mini celebrations in this modern world, so one go-to is a bottle of champagne from the year they marry...I love the tradition of eating the top of your wedding cake a year later and what better way than with a proper bottle of champagne?”

—Kelly Marshall, photographer

“The gift that has proven to be bring us the most continued enjoyment is our silverware. This [Iittala] set is long lasting and functional, but with forms subtle and sophisticated enough to be rediscovered and appreciated with every use.”

—Jamie Wolfond, designer and founder of Good Thing

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