Brides / Chloe Jeong
If your parents (and your partner’s parents) have been an integral part of the wedding planning process, it’s only fitting to give them a token of your appreciation. The best wedding gifts for parents don't need to be crazy elaborate—thoughtfulness and a sweet sentiment go a long way here. Consider finding an item that can be personalized, used on your wedding day, or that can offer them an experience—like a spa coupon or gift card to their favorite restaurant. It's also nice to go with a present that taps into their particular interests or hobbies.
For expert insight into finding the perfect wedding gifts for parents, we consulted Darcy Jusich and Kate Hayes, gifting experts and co-founders of Happy Cabbage. “For dads who can’t wait to take their tuxedo shoes off on the dance floor, custom sneakers are great and can be further personalized with embroidery," they tell Brides. "Beautiful jewelry or a clutch that moms can wear to the wedding and beyond is a nice way to remember the event every time they wear them."
Similarly, you can also pick personalized or experiential gifts for your in-laws on this occasion. Jusich and Hayes recommend paying for your mother-in-law's hair or makeup or gifting your father-in-law a bottle of his favorite libation.
To help you show your appreciation for your parents with something special for the wedding day, we researched wedding gifts for parents with specific key features in mind–including thoughtfulness, personalization options, and uniqueness, to name a few. For something they can use long after the wedding day, the Morning Joy Co Recipe Cutting Board and the Williams Sonoma Gardening Seat and Tool Kit are both foolproof picks. Or, make the wedding day gift exchange even more heartfelt with the Sew Happy Girls Father of the Bride Tie Patch and the Kismet Weddings Co Wedding Card to My Parents.
Meet the Expert
Darcy Jusich and Kate Hayes are gifting experts and co-founders of Happy Cabbage. A custom gifting boutique in Chicago, Happy Cabbage offers unique, personalized gifts and gift baskets for every occasion.
Read on for the best wedding gifts for parents.
ThePolkaDottedBee Wedding Handkerchief Gift for Parents
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Etsy
Both practical and personal, these sweet embroidered handkerchiefs are great for wiping away those (happy!) wedding day tears. With options available for mom and dad, you can either choose from preset messages or get creative and write your own for a personal touch. The handkerchiefs are made from cotton, and you have the option of choosing straight, scalloped, or lace edges. Even better, it comes packaged in a sweet little gift box, so you don't even have to worry about wrapping it yourself.
Price at time of publish: $46 for Mom & Dad set of 2 with custom message
Kismet Weddings Co Wedding Card to My Parents
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Etsy
A handwritten note can go quite a long way, and this simple yet elegant notecard is blank on the outside, giving you plenty of space to express yourself and your gratitude. The card itself comes in an off-white hue, though you can choose from any one of eight envelope colors. If you feel one card isn't enough for both of your parents, you can also opt for individual cards dedicated to each of them. Give this alone or pair it with another gift to give them on your wedding day.
Price at time of publish: $4 for 1 family card
Sew Happy Girls Father of the Bride Tie Patch
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Etsy
Write a short and sweet love note to your dad and have it embroidered onto this hand-stitched patch. Made of ivory linen fabric, you choose the size, text, and embroidery thread color. Each patch includes easy instructions to attach it, so you can gift it pre-attached to his wedding day tie. It’s a great way to remind him that you’ll always be his little girl as he walks you down the aisle.
Price at time of publish: $46 for 1 -5 words plus date
Hearth and Table Co. Personalized Wooden Spoon Set
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Etsy
If your future in-laws love to cook, this personalized spoon and spatula set is sure to please. One spoon features your names and wedding date, while the other has a sweet thank you message. Both are wood-burned, chef-grade utensils that are sure to last for years to come. Each package comes equipped with care instructions and a recipe card, so make sure to choose the appropriate dietary preferences.
Price at time of publish: $33
Morning Joy Co Recipe Cutting Board
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Etsy
This handmade, personalized cutting board is the perfect way to capture that signature recipe your parents or in-laws are known for. Made from high-quality wood, this cutting board can be made with maple, hickory, cherry, sapele, or walnut finishes. You can also choose whether or not to engrave a single side, both sides, or opt for no engraving at all. The recipe is laser-engraved, replicating even particular handwriting. It measures 9 x 16 inches, including the handle, and it's treated with food-safe oil so it can be used for cooking prep or kept as a keepsake to display.
Price at time of publish: $99 for Maple with one side engraving
Minted Custom House Letterpress Portrait Art With Text
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Minted
Upload a photo of your parent's home—perhaps your childhood house or the home where your parents lived when they first got married—and Minted’s designers will turn it into a beautiful letterpressed work of art. You get to choose the size, frame, and printed color of the house, and you can add custom text to the bottom as well. The brand displays an address and caption about the home, but you can write something else entirely if you prefer. Overall, it makes for a truly memorable, heart-warming present.
Price at time of publish: $178
Aromaology Spa Gift Basket
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Etsy
Ideal for your mom or mother-in-law, this all-in-one basket comes with everything she needs to help unwind and relax after all the wedding hubbub has died down. Namely, a massage oil, soy candle, salt scrub, and aromatherapy sachet that is available in eight different fragrances. It all comes wrapped up in a reusable burlap box, ready for gifting.
Price at time of publish: $90
ScreenCraft Gifts Your Neighborhood Map Wood Serving Tray
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ScreenCraft Gifts
This custom map serving tray offers a pretty, practical, and unique gift for your parents or in-laws. Simply choose a significant location (your childhood home, wedding location, you name it), and the brand will print a three-mile radius map onto the burnt mango wood surface of the tray. You can also opt to buy it in a set with matching coasters or the brand's cast-iron display easel if you think they'd rather display it instead.
Price at time of publish: $100
Uncommon Goods Personalized Family Member Signpost
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If your parents or in-laws are all about their lawn decor, gift them this adorable signpost. It keeps everyone symbolically together, showcasing their distance from your original family home. With an oxidized steel finish that patinas over time and a weather-resistant finish, it’s a great addition to their garden or backyard.
Price at time of publish: $155 for 3 signs
Lands' End Men's Suede Leather Moccasin Slippers
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Lands' End
Everyone loves a good pair of cozy slippers, and these certainly fit the bill. A faux fur lining makes them nice and soft, foam cushioning brings relief to achy feet, and a rubber outsole means you can even wear them for quick trips outside. We love that they can be monogrammed for an added personal touch, and they come in options for both him and her in a variety of colors so you can give your parents or in-laws a matching set.
Price at time of publish: $65
Mouth The Best of “Mouth” Monthly Subscription Club
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Mouth
If you're parents or in-laws are total foodies, gift them this monthly subscription of delicacies. Each gift box from Mouth features an expertly curated collection of yummy goods from small brands across the country—think rich chocolate bars, cocktail mixers, pickled fruits and veggies, hot sauces, and more. You can choose between a three-month, six-month, and 12-month subscription with a mid-month delivery.
Price at time of publish: $60 for three-month subscription
My Family Cookbook
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Amazon
For your parent or in-law who likes to cook, try this fill-in recipe journal and start creating a family heirloom. There are template pages for writing down over 80 recipes as well as adding photos. We also love that it has helpful cooking guides, tips, and a conversion table. The book is cloth-covered, and it feels very high-quality. Overall, this is a stunning gift they can create, cherish, and pass on for generations.
Price at time of publish: $35
Williams Sonoma Gardening Seat & Tool Kit
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Williams Sonoma
If your parents or in-laws are the types who are always out in the garden or are renowned for their green thumb, a gardening gift like this one is the way to go. A lightweight stool, convenient storage tote, and five high-quality steeled tools meet all of their planting needs. The seat can support up to 250 pounds, and all the tools have durable eucalyptus handles. The storage bag can be removed from the seat, and it includes pockets for each of the tools and an extra pocket for other belongings.
Price at time of publish: $130
Dope Coffee Pleasure Pack
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Dope Coffee
This artisanal, small brand coffee is a surefire gift for any java lover. Seeking to eliminate the stereotypical pretentiousness around high-end coffee, this package from Dope comes with three of their staple coffees, and each two-ounce pack makes three cups. You can choose between whole and ground beans, and you can even set up a subscription for your parents or in-laws so they never run out of their new favorite brew.
Price at time of publish: $22
Sheets & Giggles 100% Eucalyptus Lyocell Sheet Set
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Sheets & Giggles
You may have just registered for new bedding, but we’re willing to bet it’s been a while since your parents or in-laws sprung for new sheets. They’ll definitely appreciate this set from Sheets & Giggles, which is made from renewably and sustainably grown Eucalyptus. The result? A buttery soft and smooth feel. Plus, they're cooling, anti-static, and made with zero pesticides. The set is available in 11 different colors, and it comes with one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two pillowcases.
Price at time of publish: $190
Soothe Shop E-Gift Card
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Soothe
There’s nothing quite like a massage to help unwind after all of the wedding planning is over, and with this gift card, your parents or in-laws won’t even have to leave the house. The on-demand service brings masseuses to your home or even office. They can also opt to buy some equipment or skincare to continue the spa experience on their own. You can load the gift card with as little as $50 and up to $1,000.
What to Look For in Wedding Gifts for Parents
Something personalized
Simple, custom touches like a monogram or embroidered name can make a standard gift feel more special and unique. Make sure to allow a little extra time for customization when you place an order for a personalized gift.
A gift they can use on the day of the wedding
A practical gift that they can either wear or use on the day of the wedding will always be appreciated. In addition to thoughtful keepsakes, it can be a nice idea to gift your parents a custom box or gift bag filled with treats and drink to help get them through the big day.
An experiential gift
Think beyond tangible gifts, and give the parents involved an experience, either something they can do on their own, as a couple, or together with you and your spouse as a family. A gift card to one of their favorite restaurants, a guided outdoors excursion, or a cooking class that they can enjoy together are all great options.
Why Trust Brides
Brides contributor Melanie Rud has nearly 15 years of journalism experience covering the beauty and lifestyle space for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She’s also a bride-to-be, currently planning her own wedding (and debating what to get the parents involved).