15 Apr Custom-Framing Wedding Gifts: Be Anti-Gravy Boat

For the last wedding I attended, I called the couple to ask about their registry. I wanted to know if I could go off-script and choose something different for them. Some couples love their pickings and will hate you forever for deviating. Others are more open to creativity. I mean, I have a friend who is eschewing the registry altogether; they’re having a destination wedding and don’t want their guests to spend more than they need to. (So thoughtful!) I felt it was important to check in before going rogue.

Their answer: go for it. Music to my ears.

I didn’t hate their registry; it was a perfectly fine registry. However, none of the gifts spoke to my relationship with the couple. Every registry has a Kitchen-aid mixer or a Le Creuset Dutch oven. Does that really encompass our friendship and everything we’ve been through? I didn’t think so. That’s why I chose a custom-framing wedding gift (or in the words of Mary Lou, I was “anti-gravy boat”).

At our studio, we love custom-framing wedding gifts. They are memorable, meaningful, and unique. You may get three gravy boats, but you’ll only get one of these frames. Most couples register for a silver frame at Pottery Barn or some equivalent. It’s only after the wedding–when they have a clear head and hundreds of photos–that they wish they registered for custom framing. They didn’t think of it because fancy blenders and silky sheets are distracting.

If you’re a couple who wants to add custom-framing wedding gifts to your registry, simply create a fund on your registry page where guests can contribute online. If you’re a gift giver looking for a unique gift, then check out the ideas below:

Frame a Wedding Invitation

This is one of the easiest gifts you can give. Framing a wedding invitation says, “I cherish your union and did not haphazardly stick this behind a magnet or in a book.” You can choose a timeless look or incorporate their wedding colors into the design. This smaller frame is a wonderful accent piece that can be placed on a bookshelf or hung on a gallery wall. It’s versatile and personal–a winning combination.

Restore and Frame Family Photos

Some couples love to display family photos at wedding receptions–especially if a loved one is no longer with us. Wedding photos of the bride and groom’s parents, grandparents, and siblings are placed throughout the venue or at a designated station as a symbol of their union. Other newlyweds enjoy displaying these personal photos in their home. A restored family photo–for a wedding or for the home–is a wonderful family heirloom they’ll treasure forever.

Create a Custom Graphic

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to give your gift before or at the wedding. However, we do recommend letting the couple know the gift will be delayed. For this gift, our client wanted to create a custom graphic for the bride and groom. We added the wedding venue and date to their favorite photo to make a special art print. 

If you do want to deliver your gift early, you can commission a digital watercolor rendering of their engagement photo. We custom framed this piece to match a frame the bride and groom already had on display. 

Gift A Personal Item

This is a great idea if you have an heirloom or personal artifact that you want to give as a gift. A custom frame can take your object and make it exceptional. It could be something relating to the wedding or your family. Our client wanted to gift their coat of arms to the newlyweds. You could custom frame an embroidery, a tie clip, a pair of cufflinks, a fan, a pocketbook–anything that is personal and meaningful to the new couple.

Custom Frame Their Wedding Announcement

This is a piece that tells a story. This client went beyond the traditional framed wedding photo; they paired it with the New York Times wedding announcement. We incorporated their wedding colors into the frame design by using a silk navy mat. It adds a layer of richness to the overall design. We used a romantic Italian frame and later discovered that the groom proposed in Italy! It was a fun surprise for everyone.

Hopefully, you feel inspired to be bold with your wedding gifts. Registries are fine and all, but custom-framed wedding gifts feel more luxurious (and grown-up) than a Le Creuset pot. If you’re worried about choosing a frame the bride or groom may not like, collaborate with them. If you want to keep the gift a surprise, get them a gift certificate or let them know you’ll cover the bill for whatever they choose.

Don’t settle for a blender (even though some of them are pretty impressive). Give your newlyweds a memorable gift they will cherish forever.