9.16.2008

Unique Wedding Gift Idea

Wedding gifts can be fun but can also be, well, a pain.  Mostly because I usually wait until the last minute.  Sometimes I buy off people's registries, which is of course always a good idea because you know they will like the gift.  As a rule I don't buy anything that the couple didn't register for, because the last thing they need is to be saddled with some lame gift that I might love but they might hate!

However, there is one exception to my rule and here it is: get the couple's wedding invitation framed.  Hey, you know they like the invitation.  I mean, they picked it out.  So go out and get something tasteful and simple that matches their invitation, and voila!  Such a unique gift.

Below you can see an example of a friend's wedding invitation that I recently had framed.  And here's another bonus: frequently you can find really cool frames on sale, stash them away, and then pull them out when you need a gift.  I don't give these gifts because I want to save money, but it is a nice bonus sometimes!  This one below was $10 for the frame and $19 for the custom mat.  Not bad.

This idea came to me when one of my great-aunts framed my wedding invitation for me (see below).  I have since learned that she pretty much does this for all my cousins and everyone else in the family.  It has honestly been one of my all-time favorite gifts, because it is so personal, and not something that I would take the time to buy for myself.

Works for me!  (And hopefully for the other couples I buy for!)


48 comments:

Timmarie said...

That is a great idea! Love it.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea! I can't wait to do this. It seems like it would work equally well for people we don't know that well and for people to whom we're close. Either way, a winner. Thanks! First, I just need to go frame *my* wedding invitation. :-)

Katie said...

Such a great idea! We have 2 weddings coming up....I think I now know what they'll be getting! Heck, I may even do this for myself! :)

Our Complete Family said...

Hey girl! You know what? I need to get out my wedding invite and frame mine as a late gift to myself! Or better yet, I can do it and give it to my hubby for one of our anniversaries (Yep, we have 2~ short story is married once in the courthouse and then once in the church b/c my Mom wanted to do a wedding! Fun stuff!) I hope you guys like the quiche recipe. I tell you what~ if I can get my little man who can be a bit finicky at times to chow down on it then I hope you guys enjoy it, too! It's so easy and quick to do!

Lorie said...

Great idea!

Weeksie50 said...

What a great idea. Thanks for sharing..

Becky

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I love this idea.....I got one for my wedding and l cherish it as a constant reminder of tha beautiful day!

You are always thinkin my friend!

Lisa

Shell in your Pocket said...

Very cute! I love gifts that reflect the person you are giving too!

Since you are pregnant, I will share with you...I had shirts done...simple white t-shirt(high quality) and had the year monogramed on the little t-shirts of the year my kids were born...they wore them for newborn pictures...After, I framed the shirt with a picture of them wearing it as a newborn...it's so cute!

Shh...I took this idea from a great store in NY. I bought my first shirt(son) from this store and then just had the other two shirts made through the years. People comment on them all the time!
-Sandy toes

Jboo said...

What a great idea! I know I would loved that as a gift too.

Janet

Amanda said...

this was my fav gift too...the lady that gave us ours, actually watercolored on the invitation too to embellish it, it was lovely! great post! glad you are back.
AHJ

Anonymous said...

Two people did this for us. They used shadow boxes for them and added some fun stuff, like small pictures and stuff to the invitation. I really like them and appreciate them but they made them a little personal so they don't really fit anywhere in my house. I like your idea better of just keeping it plain and simple because then it can go anywhere!

Rae said...

For every wedding announcement my FIL received he would hand make a frame (he was an amazing craftsman) for the announcement and give as a gift. I know many, many people who cherish this thoughtful gift, myself included!

Shannon said...

I love this idea! I had our wedding invitation and rehersal dinner invitation framed right after our wedding (posted about it awhile back) but I had never thought to do it for other people! Thanks for a great idea!

Wendy said...

Good idea! I actually had my invitation framed myself...would have been lovely to have someone do it for me ;-)

Anonymous said...

Someone did this for our at our wedding. It is still hanging on our wall with wedding pics. It was very sweet and personal.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic idea!

Inspired Kara said...

What a great, great, GREAT idea! And, I just so happen to have a wedding to attend in october. PERFECT!

Christy said...

We received a framed invitation as a gift too. It was one of the most meaningful gifts we received. I actually need to get it out and have it reframed because the frame is a little outdated now... shiny brass!

Love your coat that you bought!

Darlene said...

What a simple yet FABULOUS idea!! I just LOVE it and what a "special" personal gift for them!!!

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

What a sweet and meaningful gift! Will definitely have to try this one at the next wedding we go to. :D

Kim said...

Love this idea and your blog!!! I like the idea of getting my wedding invitation framed as well.

Thanks for the great idea!

Carry Grace said...

Beautiful! I think this is a great idea.

Unknown said...

that's a great idea!

ElizabethClare said...

I was just headed to town to get a frame for my friends wedding invitation. I think this is a great idea!

Blessings to you and yours,

Joanna said...

What a wonderful idea! Something that I will be using this summer for a wedding!

Shannon said...

I usually stick to registries as well, but enjoy giving a little something extra or special to people I'm very close to. This is a great idea. In fact, it's got me thinking about doing the same with one of my wedding invitations. Thanks for sharing. . .

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

Love it! Great idea!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Years ago I bought a mat cutter at Aaron Brothers during one of their sales, and I believe it is one of the best tools for DIYers. Matboard is huge, but it lasts forever. You can get any picture to match any frame in any color you want. I love it, and if you frame a lot - I highly reccommend it.

Lisa said...

Now that's a great idea, I need to remember that one!

Amber said...

I love this idea and have done it in the past too! I definitely don't do this for every wedding gift and some invitations work better than others :). A friend of mine's sister got married several years ago and after the ceremony it occurred to them that they had not thought about what to do with her bouquet. I offered to dry it, but because of the blooms in it, I needed to disassemble it for them to dry properly. I decided to press a few of the blooms from her bouquet, and I laid them in the corner of the matte framing their wedding invitation. It turned out beautifully!

Funny story...when my husband and I were planning our wedding two years ago, we had drama with the printing of our invitations. (Our colors were hydrangea blue and moss green and the invitations arrived from the printer with lime green and purple printing!) In the midst of the ordeal I was explaining to my hubby that one reason I really wanted to fix them (other than that they were just ugly!) is that "I can't frame our wedding invitation to display in our home if it looks like this!" His reply. "I'd never have thought of that." :)

Wani said...

My friend makes custom mats w/ personalized names on the mat itself. Its my favorite gift to give for weddings! Thanks for sharing!

Sweet Simplicity said...

great idea! I love the way you had the one in the pic framed!

the undomesticated wife said...

Are you on 2peas? There was just a big post about wedding registries. LOL

Annikke said...

Just found your blog today. I am also in Denver...how fun!
Anyway, this is a GREAT idea! thanks for sharing it!

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

You always have GREAT ideas. :)

Free Art Printables said...

This is a great idea! What a great personalized gift!

Jodee said...

We actually got this for a wedding gift and I thought it was a fabulous idea!

Empty Nest Full Life said...

I had thought about this, just didn't know if people would think it was wierd, of course I didn't! Glad to hear this, this might be a new thing for me. Jackie

Tausha said...

great idea, I think that kitchen "Crap" is so not fun to get. Even it it is your wedding and you need the stuff! Great ideas, I will have to borrow it some time!

AngiDe said...

That's a really cool idea! I'm gonna stash that idea away in my drawer for the next wedding I attend.
Thanks!

Angie
www.nanasboxnonprofit.blogspot.com

cherry said...

VEry cool idea. cherry

Unknown said...

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Thanks

Kristin said...

I love that idea! I've been meaning to frame my own wedding invitation from 10 months ago, but I've never thought of doing that for another couple.

Thanks for the tip!

sweetfunkyvintage said...

My wedding caterer took it one step further and framed my wedding invitation with a HUGE mat around it and left the glass off, and we used it instead of a guest book. All the guests signed it and now it has hung in our home for almost 12 years. We look at it often and remember the guests that shared our special day. I am sure we wouldn't have looked at a guest book that often!
Missy

Carol Colman said...

If you like this idea and would like to put an extra creative spin on it, give me a call - my business, Purple Raincoat, specializes in creating unique framed keepsakes that showcase wedding invitations and help preserve the memories of your special day. I used to sell invitations, so I understand that invitations are filled with emotion and that they tell a story. I want to interpret that story with color, pattern, texture and embellishment so that your framed invitation keepsake not only brings back wonderful memories but is a work of art that stands on its own. And it is never too late to frame an invitation - it is a great gift to yourself (or someone else) for a holiday or anniversary, as well as for a wedding.

Unforgettable days deserve unforgettable keepsakes. Come take a look and get inspired: www.purpleraincoat.com
I can't wait to make something beautiful for you. Email carol@purpleraincoat.com; call 616.803.0366.

Anonymous said...

Truly, Wonderful gift... I like this!!

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Ashlee Rolfson said...

I absolutely loved this blog post about creating a wedding day survival kit! It's such a thoughtful and practical idea, and I couldn't agree more with the notion that preparation is key for a stress-free wedding day.
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