It’s that time of year – wedding season has come around again and the spring weather is promising a fantastic summer. No doubt you’ll have at least one wedding to go to, whether it’s a friend, child, grandchild or sibling. But what do you get the happy couple?

As people get married later and later, most of them have already bought a house and furnished it, meaning the classic silver toast rack is all but redundant. Lots of future brides and grooms talk of wanting ‘presence’ over ‘presents’ but with so much to choose from, where do you find a meaningful or unusual gift?

If you need inspiration this year, then our list of wedding gift ideas could get you ahead of the game.

1. Animal antics

If the bride and groom are animal lovers who already have a house full of kitchen equipment and fancy crockery, then why not give a goat? Oxfam Unwrapped will donate a goat (or fertiliser, a farm or a water pump) to a family in need on behalf of the happy couple.

2. The gift of laughter

There’s nothing better than a night out at the theatre and buying tickets to a comedy, musical or ballet will give the newlyweds a night to remember. If you’re not sure what to go for, then a theatre and dinner gift voucher combo gives them the chance to choose their favourite, from Mamma Mia to
Avenue Q.

3. Natural beauty

For the outdoorsy or history loving types, annual membership to the National Trust or English Heritage will give the new couple access to hundreds of places around England, including Dover Castle and Fountains Abbey. For thrill seekers, a Merlin Group annual pass provides a year’s worth of fun at Alton Towers, Madame Tussauds and more.

4. Red letter day

Adventurous types might like to try something new and exciting such as bungee jumping or zorbing, so why not give them the chance? There are plenty of exhilarating activity days out across the country as well as more gentle treats such as spa weekends and photo shoots.

5. Keep it personal

A more simple idea is the personalised keepsake, something the couple can treasure forever. Choose from engraved goblets, wedding couple caricatures and a host of other traditional and unusual wedding memorabilia.

Of course if you don’t want to break with tradition then you can’t go wrong with John Lewis vouchers.

How can John Lewis Wedding Insurance help?

If you’re getting married, you don’t need to worry about gifts being damaged or stolen during the ceremony as John Lewis Wedding Insurance includes cover for wedding presents up to a value of £15,000 depending on your
level of cover.

Whether you’re giving or receiving wedding gifts, it’s important that they’re protected when they’re in your home. John Lewis Home Insurance protects items against theft and damage with Unlimited Buildings and Contents Cover.*

* There is no total sum insured limit but money, single article and total valuable limits apply.

Terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and eligibility criteria apply.

John Lewis Insurance is a trading name of John Lewis plc. Registered office: 171 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5NN. Registered in England (No. 233462). John Lewis plc is an appointed representative of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc. John Lewis Wedding Insurance is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc (No. 93792). Registered in England and Wales at St. Mark's Court, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1XL. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Calls may be recorded and monitored.

John Lewis plc is an appointed representative of Ageas Insurance Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Ageas Insurance Limited. Registered in England No. 354568. Registered office: Ageas House, Tollgate, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO53 3YA.