Wedding gifts and keepsakes that get kept

Most wedding presents are used up, put away or forgotten. A personalised piece with the couple's names and the date tends to stay out on a shelf for years. Here are some ideas, and a few things to think about before you order.

Something for the day itself

A wooden sign is one of the most useful things a couple can have on the day: a welcome sign at the door, table names, or a "Mr & Mrs" sign for the top table. After the wedding, a welcome sign with their names and date often ends up on a wall at home.

If you are ordering something for the day, give yourself plenty of time and tell us the date you need it by. Wedding plans are busy enough without a last-minute rush.

Something for afterwards

• A keepsake box engraved with their names and the date, for cards, the order of service and all the little bits that are too precious to throw away.
• A sign for their home with their new family name.
• A Christmas decoration for their first Christmas married, which comes out every year after.

Gifts for the wedding party

Best men, bridesmaids, ushers and the people who did the flowers all deserve a thank you. A small engraved gift with their name, their role and the date is a lovely way to say it. Keep the wording short: "Best Man" and a date reads beautifully on a box lid.

Getting the names right

Weddings are full of name questions. Is she taking his name, keeping hers, or are they joining both? Will it be "Mr & Mrs Smith", "The Smiths" or "Sam & Alex"? If you are not sure, it is fine to ask the couple, or choose first names and the date, which never go wrong.

When you order, type the words in the box on the gift's page exactly as you want them. Our guide to getting the wording right has more tips.

Something that is not in the shop?

Every wedding is different. If you have a design in mind to match the colours, the venue or the invitations, tell us about it on the made to order page.