14 paper gift ideas for your first anniversary
By Maree Mikhaiel · July 4, 2025
Wedding gifts under $50, $100, $200 and $500
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Updated on: June 26, 2025
Finding the perfect wedding gift doesn’t need to be a stressful time! We understand, it’s a bit of a tenuous time at the moment with the cost of living, so don’t feel like you need to blow your budget in order to gift your friends.
Wedding gift budgets are often dictated by how well you know the couple. From colleagues to housemates to your best friends – there are stylish, thoughtful and meaningful options at all price points.
Let’s explore some affordable wedding gifts for all budgets.
From personalised keepsakes under $50 to luxurious experiences and designer homewares under $500, this guide has gift ideas to suit every kind of couple — and every kind of giver. So whether you’re after something sentimental, practical, or just a little bit fabulous, here are our favourite wedding gifts for under $50, $100, $200 and $500.
Are you planning your own wedding? We can help you monitor your budget! Sign up for Easy Weddings (it’s free!).
Wedding gifts under $50
Bottle of wine
Know a wine-loving couple? Nothing says celebration more than a beautiful bottle of wine. It doesn’t need to be from the highest, top-shelf, but it can be the gesture of a well thought out bottle of wine that speaks to their taste. Pair it with a beautifully written note and a picture of you altogether, this is a gift worth giving.
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Beautiful indoor plant
Signifying new life together, an indoor plant to bring freshness to their lives is an ideal wedding present that comes at an affordable price point. Word of warning: if the couple has cats, make sure you get one that isn’t poisonous for the feline friend!
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Coasters
A pop of colour for the coffee table? Fun coasters are a beautiful addition to any room, but also might be something people aren’t willing to spend a bit of money on – this is why they make an ideal wedding gift.
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Scent
Another quirky thing for the couple’s home, a diffuser! When the scent finishes, the couple can choose and customise their own. And it just looks so cute.
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Want to gift your future husband/wife? We’ve got some great ideas for you! Read more.
Bread/cutting board
It’s something that people won’t think about purchasing for themselves, but a beautiful and colourful cutting board adds a little zest to the kitchen. And will remind the couple of you each time they bring it out to use!
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Cake stand
For the baker in your life! A cake stand is a beautiful gift for those who love a little sweet treat, and for anyone who has little hands and feet in their life, it’s a beautiful way to celebrate birthdays each year.
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Vase
Fresh flowers, fresh marriage, fresh vase to put them in, right?! A vase is one of those wedding gifts the couple will have forever.
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Towels
Fluffy, warm, wrap it right around the couple! A beautiful set of towels for the newlyweds is practical and always on hand!
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Wedding gifts under $200
New bedding
Slipping between clean sheets, is there literally anything better? We all know that you can turn your day around by putting fresh sheets on your bed, so why not gift the happily married couple with a brand new set.
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China
Matching or mix-and-match wedding China is a modern take on the traditional gift, from embroidered edges to quirky words, this will get the newlyweds excited to host their first dinner party as betrothed.
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Wine decanter
In keeping with the dinner party theme, a wine decanter for those that love a little tipple is a great way to keep the wedding party going! This gift will go on display and be used over and over again, for years to come.
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Coffee table book
More than just something to put on display, a coffee table book also speaks to someone’s interests and passion. After a bit of research, you can really show off how well you know a couple by gifting them a thoughtful book that appeals to both of them; whether that be an artist they love, a destination they’ve travelled, or a film genre they watch.
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Wedding gifts under $500
A weekend away
After the chaos of organising a wedding has died down, there’s nothing more that newlyweds need than a bit of time to just themselves (and a lot of RnR). Surprise them with a weekend away in a truly unique location or accommodation and let them kickback and enjoy just one another.
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Luggage
Some newlyweds are dedicated to travelling the world before they start a family. And for those who want to pack up their lives, you can be there! Beautiful new luggage to see them on their world travels is not only practical, but a gift that will be there with them every step of the way.
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Wedding presents FAQ
What’s a good inexpensive wedding gift?
An indoor plant, a beautiful bottle of wine, matching wine glasses.
Is $50 too cheap for a wedding gift?
Not at all! It’s always the thought that counts.
Is $100 a cheap wedding gift?
Definitely not, you can make $100 go far – think experiences more than physical items, so the couple has memories.
Is $200 a cheap wedding gift?
$200 is a great gift budget for a wedding present, from homewares to electronics – the sky can really be the limit.
Is $500 an appropriate wedding gift?
Yes! And if it’s slightly above your budget, get your other friends to chip in if you find something that is $500 or over.
What not to give as a wedding gift?
Make sure that your wedding present is for both people in the couple. That’s why homewares, dinners, or something that both of them can use is the best road to go down.
How much money do you give as a wedding gift in Australia?
There is so much debate surrounding this, it’s whatever you can afford. If you’ve travelled for the wedding or have had to financially input – consider this when deciding how much to gift.
Looking for more inspiration or wanting to get your own registry? We’ve got you! Read more.
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