Your wedding is one of the biggest celebrations of your life.

It’s also the perfect opportunity to tell your future bride or groom how much they mean to you with a special gift.

A man in a blue suit holding a black gift bag hands a woman in a white dress a box with diamond earrings.

But what do you give to the person who means everything to you on the most important day of your lives together?

At Rosen Weddings, we love helping you find the perfect details to make your wedding day a dream come true.

Here are some ideas of gifts to give your bride or groom on your wedding day.

Note: You absolutely do not have to give your future spouse a gift on your wedding day. The wedding is a gift enough! But if you’ve talked it through and decided that you’d like to exchange gifts, then go for it.

Remember that a simple, heartfelt, handwritten note can mean the world on your wedding day without having to spend extra money.

Sentimental Gifts

Jewelry/Watch

A green box with an ivory lining and a gold Rolex label with a black watch with a black leather band.

Jewelry is a classic wedding day gift for good reason. It lasts forever.

A bride will treasure a necklace, bracelet, or earrings given to her on her wedding day. It’s a lasting reminder of the most important day of your love story that she can wear over and over again.

Gift your groom a watch or a set of custom cufflinks for a beautiful sentiment he can use over and over again.

Jewelry is a lovely way of implying your love is everlasting – just like your beautiful gift.

Perfume/Cologne

A pink perfume bottle with a golden honeycomb-like top sits on a rose gold sequined fabric.

Did you know that our brains associate scent with memory more than any other sense?

Give your bride or groom the gift of sensory memory by gifting them a perfume or cologne to wear on your wedding day.

From that day on, you’ll always associate the elegant fragrance with the most romantic day of your life.

For an extra special touch, have the bottle engraved with your wedding date or a short message of devotion from you to the love of your life.

Bouquet Preservation

An arrangement of preserved flowers in clear epoxy resin against a dark black backdrop.

A bridal bouquet or a boutonniere are beautiful emblems of a personalized wedding day aesthetic.

Preserving your flowers allows you to turn your gorgeous bouquet into a work of art that can be treasured forever.

Consider a pressed flower preservation that gently saves your flowers between glass for an instant artistic masterpiece.

You can also opt for preserving your flowers in epoxy resin for a more three-dimensional approach. Try thinking outside the box and having wedding florals transformed into bookends, jewelry dishes, ring holders, or serving trays.

This thoughtful gift is a beautiful way of saving a gorgeous detail from your wedding day.

Practical Gifts

Luggage

A white suitcase with brown accents and trim and a straw hat with a black ribbon resting on top.

Heading out of town for your honeymoon? Gift your bride or groom a set of luggage for your wedding day.

A well-made suitcase can last a long time and will ideally see you through many of your adventures together.

Don’t just grab the first suitcase you see; think of new luggage as an investment and take the time to think about which bags will suit you and your partner’s lifestyle best.

For an extra special touch, have a personalized luggage tag made for the bags with your initials or your wedding date.

Robe

A cozy, comfortable robe will never go out of style.

Opt for a piece that is luxuriously soft, or a simple satin robe that is light and feminine.

Either way, you’re sure to put a robe to good use right away. Whether you wear it on your wedding night, honeymoon, or even just lounging around the house in newlywed bliss, a robe is a tasteful, practical, and classic gift.

Sunglasses

For some people, sunglasses are the ultimate accessory.

A pair of brand name sunglasses is a splurge-worthy gift that will leave your bride or groom stylishly smitten.

Sunglasses are a great everyday item that you can take to the next level with a high-end brand.

Or, if you know your bride or groom is always losing them (but could use a new pair for the honeymoon excursion on which you’re about to embark), consider a pair of sturdier glasses like Goodrs, which also come at a much more affordable price point.

Personalized Gifts

A Print of your Wedding Song

A black and white image of two women dressed in white kissing and embracing on the dance floor.

Hearing your wedding song will forever remind you of dancing in your partner’s arms surrounded by the people who love you most.

Have the lyrics printed as a piece of artwork that you can frame and display somewhere meaningful.

There are plenty of artists on sites like Etsy who can design a piece that suits your personal style and will fit beautifully into your home.

Engraved Flutes

Two engraved Champagne flutes with sparkling wine in them sit on a marble windowsill beside a dark window.

Toast to all of life’s celebratory moments with a set of engraved Champagne flutes.

Personalize your special glasses with your monograms and/or wedding date so you can relive your best day ever every time to raise a glass.

If you give them to your bride/groom prior to your ceremony, you can even use them to toast to your brand-new marriage at your wedding.

Memory Box

A close-up of a woman’s hands holding photographs over a box of mementos.

Your wedding is the start of the next chapter of the rest of your lives together – and there’s so much to look forward to.

A personalized memory box gives you a place to collect meaningful cards, letters, and mementos over the years.

Spend your anniversary each year going through your memory box and seeing what special memories you’ve made together over the past 12 months.

Give Yourself the Gift of Peace of Mind on Your Wedding Day

While you’re thinking about your partner on your wedding day, let someone else take care of the details.

At Rosen Weddings, our team of specialists will make sure your wedding day goes smoothly and is everything you’ve dreamed it would be.

When you choose the right team to coordinate your wedding, you can focus on being present and enjoying every moment.

Reach out to our Rosen Weddings team to start planning your dream wedding at one of our spectacular wedding venues.

A couple kiss outdoors after walking down the aisle, surrounded by people throwing flower petals.

By Kate Cohen

No matter what your wedding budget may be, there are always unexpected expenses that pop up throughout the planning process.

At Rosen Weddings, we’re here to help you anticipate those surprise line items so you can keep your eye on the prize – your partner waiting for you at the end of the aisle.

If you’re working on your wedding budget, here are a few wedding hidden expenses to anticipate.

1. Marriage License

A woman in a white dress signs a formal document on a table beside a man in a dark suit.

No marriage is official without a marriage license.

Every state has their own unique set of requirements for marriage licenses, which are issued by individual counties throughout the state.

When you go to apply for your marriage license, you may need to bring several official documents with you.

You’ll also likely need to pay a small fee to apply.

For example, in Orange County, Florida, where our Rosen Weddings venues are located, the fee for a marriage license is $86. It can be reduced to $61 if a couple can provide proof of completing a premarital preparation course.

2. Postage

A white RSVP card with dark red ink tied to a white invitation with a beige gauze ribbon against a suede background.

In a world of email and social media, sending actual mail through the post office is a special occurrence.

As of early 2025, a Forever postage stamp costs $.73. While it may not sound like much, if you’re planning to invite 200 people to your wedding, that’s another $146 line item to add to your budget.

You can double it if you’re planning on including RSVP cards with your invites or triple it if save-the-date cards are part of your timeline.

Sending thank you notes is also important after a wedding (and a bridal shower), so don’t forget to account for postage to mail those as well.

3. Attire Alterations

A man’s hand holds a tape measure against the lapel of a black suit with a white shirt and black tie on a mannequin.

Once you’ve said “yes” to your dream wedding attire, it’s critical to have it altered to fit you perfectly.

According to The Knot, the average cost of wedding dress alterations is between $700 and $1000, which can be a totally blindsiding additional expense if you haven’t planned for it ahead of time.

The average cost to tailor a suit is around $100, which, while not as drastic as wedding dress alteration costs, can still add up if you’re not expecting it.

4. Wedding Insurance

A woman with short red hair in an animal-print shirt sits at a table next to a man in a white button-down who is signing a document. A man in a suit with a computer sits across the table from them.

Wedding insurance protects couples from losing large sums of money invested in the wedding should an unforeseen circumstance arise.

Different policies may cover wedding expenses if your wedding needs to be rescheduled due to extreme weather, injury, and yes, even global pandemics.

The right wedding liability policy can also protect you should a guest get hurt, the venue is damaged, or an alcohol-related incident occurs.

Some venues require you to have wedding insurance just to be safe, but even if your venue doesn’t, it’s a worthwhile investment to ensure you are protected from the unexpected.

Depending on how much protection you decide is best, you could spend anywhere from $75 to $500 for a wedding insurance policy.

5. Gratuity

A black envelope with several folded twenty-dollar bills against a white marble background.

It takes a village to make the perfect wedding run smoothly.

Tipping your vendors and their team is a wonderful way of thanking them for the love and hard work they contributed to bringing your dream wedding to life.

Some of the biggest vendors to tip include your wedding coordinator, hair and makeup artists, delivery and setup staff, musicians, shuttle drivers, and photo booth attendants.

Tipping your caterer, bartender, and waitstaff is also expected, unless it is already included in your contract (which it likely will be.)

While gratuity is at the discretion of the couple, tips can add up quickly, so be sure to plan for this expense while creating your wedding budget.

6. Vendor Trials

A woman’s hands with sienna-colored nails adjust the back of a woman’s hair in a smooth, formal bun with pink roses and maroon floral accents.

To make sure everything is perfect for your wedding day, you’ll likely want to test out a few things beforehand.

One example is bridal hair and makeup. To ensure your look is exactly what you want it to be, hair and makeup artists often encourage trials in advance so they can take your feedback and use it to get your styling perfect on the big day.

But hair and makeup trials aren’t free (though they may be discounted if you reserve a wedding package in advance).

Plan to pay around $150 for both hair and makeup at your trial.

Additionally, some catering companies and bakeries may charge you for tastings as you make your menu selections.

A woman in a white lacy dress kisses a man in a gray suit with a white shirt and black bowtie outdoors beneath a clear umbrella.

If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, you’ll want to make some contingency purchases.

For example, a rainy season wedding may need umbrellas (just to be safe). Cozy blankets at a winter wedding are a lovely, thoughtful touch.

If you’re planning an outdoor summertime wedding in Florida, you’ll definitely want to provide your guests with shade, fans, and maybe even a water bar to keep everyone hydrated.

8. Welcome Bag Delivery

A light brown paper gift bag stuffed with light pink tissue paper.

If you have a hotel block where most of your out-of-town guests are staying for your event, it’s always a lovely gesture to welcome them to their room with a welcome bag.

Welcome bags may include bottles of water, snacks, and personal touches that help your guests acclimate upon arrival.

While many couples incorporate the cost of the bag into their initial budget, they often overlook the expense of fees that the hotel may charge to deliver each bag to your guests’ rooms.

Be sure to check with your preferred hotel for their welcome bag delivery fees.

9. Vendor Meals

A circular table with white linens, a white floral centerpiece, and brown Chiavari chairs set with salads, dinner rolls, and water glasses.

Your wedding vendors go above and beyond on your wedding day to make magic happen.

The least you can do for them is make sure they are well-fed.

When you’re accounting for how many heads you’ll be feeding at your wedding, be sure to include vendors like your photography team, DJ or musicians, wedding planner, and officiant.

Typically, your vendors will eat at the same time as your guests, since that’s generally not when a lot of exciting action is happening. Be sure to reserve a table for them so they can sit and enjoy a meal before jumping back into action.

10. Wedding Dress Preservation

A close-up of a lacy wedding dress hanging against a white backdrop. Wedding dress preservation is a common unexpected expense.

When your wedding day has come and gone, you may find yourself wondering what to do with some important pieces – like your wedding gown.

If you decide you want to save your dress, having it preserved will help maintain its quality for years to come.

This special cleaning and packaging process helps clean and properly restore your heirloom garment so you can take it out of the box years later and admire it as it was on your wedding day.

But preservation comes at a cost; depending on the garment and the level of work it requires to preserve, you can expect to pay anywhere between $250 and $1000.

11. Early/Overtime Fees

A black alarm clock with a white face sitting on a wooden surface against a wooden background.

If your wedding timeline requires vendors to be onsite earlier or later than their usual work hours, you may find yourself saddled with early or late fees.

For example, if you have a large bridal party and your hair and makeup crew needs to start at 6 a.m. to make sure everyone is beautified in time for a midday ceremony, you may find an early fee in your contract.

Similarly, a wedding that runs late and requires a breakdown crew to be onsite past midnight may incur late fees.

Having a clear understanding of your wedding timeline ahead of time can help you accommodate for these extra costs.

12. Gifts for Your Parents/Wedding Parties/Bride/Groom

A white gift box wrapped with ribbon with pink hearts against a light pink background.

Some couples choose to thank the most important people on their wedding day with a token of their appreciation.

If you plan to purchase actual gifts, make sure you’re budgeting for them. If it’s not in the budget, a simple handwritten note is a lovely heartfelt gesture to tell your loved ones how you feel.

Prepare for Everything with Rosen Weddings – Even Unexpected Expenses

At Rosen Weddings, we’re experts in all things weddings, including expecting the unexpected.

Let our team of wedding specialists at each of our four venues help prepare you for a wedding that feels like a dream come true.

Reach out to our team to arrange a site visit, talk with a specialist, and begin planning your incredible wedding day down to the last detail.

A woman in a long white gown holds her dress as she is spun by a man in a gray suit in a courtyard surrounded by roses and palm trees.

Month: February 2025

Gifts to Give your Bride or Groom on Your Wedding Day

Here are some ideas of gifts to give your bride or groom on your wedding day.

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