What to give at a summer wedding without overspending

July and August are wedding months, and with them comes the eternal question: what do I bring? Between the registry, the classic cash gift and the "thoughtful" present, it's easy to freeze. Here's a simple way to decide, whatever your budget.

First, check if there's a registry

If the couple has set up a registry (in a shop or online), it's the safest option: you make sure your gift gets used and doesn't clash with another guest's. If you want to personalise it, many registries let you chip in toward a pricier item along with other guests, or leave a note. No registry? Read on.

Cash doesn't have to be boring

Money is still the most practical wedding gift, especially if the couple already lives together or is about to move and would rather decide how to spend it. As a rough guide, people often base the amount on the cost of the banquet plate plus a margin depending on how close you are to the couple: for close friends or family, round up; for acquaintances or colleagues, keep it tighter. There's no single right figure, but thinking of it this way stops you falling short or overshooting without realising.

If cash feels too plain, pair it with a small, personal touch: a handwritten card counts for more than it seems.

If you'd rather give something physical

When you want something tangible instead of (or as well as) money, these categories almost always fit:

• For the home they're building. Good-quality kitchenware, home textiles or something decorative that matches their style (if you know it).
• An experience for the two of them. A getaway, a special dinner or an activity they can enjoy together once the wedding and the nerves are behind them.
• Something for the honeymoon. A useful travel accessory, good cabin luggage or something suited to their destination if you know it.
• A symbolic touch. An object engraved with the date, a personalised illustration or something that recalls the day, beyond the merely functional.

The key is to think of the couple as the real destination, not the event: what would they actually use day to day or in this new chapter?

If you're going as a couple or a group

When the gift is shared among several guests, it's a good moment to level up: something too expensive alone becomes reasonable split among four or five. Coordinating with other guests also avoids the classic "we bought the same thing".

Watch out for last-minute rushing

Summer weddings are usually announced months ahead, so there's no need to wait until the week before to decide. The sooner you choose, the more room you have to compare options, take advantage of free shipping or, if it's an engraved gift, make sure it arrives in time.

Still can't decide?

Between registry, cash and a physical gift there are many combinations, and the best one depends on how well you know the couple, your budget and whether you're going alone or with others. If you want a specific idea in two minutes, tell the Gifteando advisor what kind of wedding it is, your budget and how well you know the couple, and it'll suggest options tailored to you.