Newlyweds want practical gifts as cost of living bites

Weddings might be joyous occasions, but they’re expensive ones too.

As a result, many couples are ditching traditional wedding gifts for more practical presents.

According to a poll from Tesco, just 8% couples want luxury items like fine china as a wedding present.

And only 10% are interested in crockery or towels.

Instead, people want more useful, everyday items.

In fact, 40% said they’d prefer practical rather than extravagant wedding gifts.

Cost of living pressures weigh on newlyweds

So why are so many couples asking for more modest presents?

Well, it’s largely down to money.

Nearly nine in ten newlyweds or engaged couples believe that there’s a greater need for practical gifts than there used to be.

And almost half of these people said this was because of rising living costs.

There’s also the fact that most couples getting married already live together, so they already own household items like crockery.

For them, a stockpile of essentials like food, toiletries or cleaning products would make a bigger difference to their lives and reduce their monthly outgoings.

Newsflash - weddings are expensive

Getting married can cost lots of money.

From the dress and the flowers to the venue and the buffet, the expense can soon mount up to a staggering level.

So it makes sense that many newlyweds would like help covering their costs after their big day.

The Tesco study found that nearly two-thirds of couples felt that the cost of their wedding had caused them stress, and that on average, it takes about a year to pay it off.

How can engaged couples save money?

If you’re planning a wedding and don’t want to start married life in debt and worrying about money, there are ways to keep costs down.

Be honest about gifts

Don’t be afraid to ask for what you really need.
 
Whether it’s home essentials or help with honeymoon costs, your guests will be happy to give you something useful that you’ll actually enjoy and appreciate.

Use a gift registry for practical items

Many retailers let you create custom wish lists, where you can include everything from cleaning supplies to long-life store cupboard items.

Yes, these things might not be glamorous, or something you’ll keep forever.

But they’ll make a real difference to your budget and help you begin married life in a good place.

Don’t rule out a small wedding

You don’t have to break the bank to get married.

A small, personal occasion can be just as special as a large-scale event.

Think about what matters to you and your other half most, and don’t let yourself be pressured by other people’s expectations into doing something you can’t afford.

And if you set yourself a wedding budget, stick to it.

Plan ahead

When it comes to booking and paying for things like flowers, photographers and catering, it pays not to wait to the last minute.

Shopping around and booking early can save you huge sums of money.

Avoid peak times

Demand for wedding venues and services is at its highest in the summer months - and that will be reflected in the price.

So if you want to save a bit of money, it’s well worth thinking about getting married off-season, or even on a weekday rather than a weekend.