Ideas for wedding present please

kippygirl

I need some wedding present ideas that are more about thought than cost! We are going to the wedding of a family member and our finances are really tight at the moment. I have also been seriously ill and still undergoing treatment so our financial future is also uncertain. We are spending money we can't afford to on just getting there. Travel costs are £300 for ferry plus another £100 or so for petrol - the wedding is in Ireland. My Dad is very kindly paying for accommodation for the whole family but I am getting really worried about the other costs.

I really don't want to be tight over a present when someone is hosting a very nice meal etc for us. But I wondered about something a bit different, e.g. making a DVD of photos with music background etc - but would probably need some sort of software to do this. Also, I know nothing about Irish traditions for wedding presents - the bride and family are Irish. By the way, the couple aren't having a wedding present list as they are conscious of people spending a lot of money just to get there.

Any ideas please?

hayleythedaisy

Firstly, have you looked at other methods of travel, I have been to Ireland a few times and have never spent that much! Depending on whether it is just you and a partner or if there a others travelling with you, it might be cheaper to fly and hire a car while there. Or if you could car share with someone that would save you money. I have been on the national express coach over there. It goes overnight and isn't actually that bad. Especially if there is more than one of you. As I remember I got it from Milton Keynes to Enniskillen via Dublin and it cost about £53 return. Or have you tried looking at the slow ferry, the price was much less when I went.
Obviously I know nothing of your personal circumstances just passing on ways I have saved money.

Secondly, presents... If you go by car/bus then you are not so limited on room. You could get a nice mini tree type plant from Ikea etc (Approx £20) and tie little bows on it and tags with warm wishes written on, your memories of the couple, what you love about them etc etc.
That would be my best idea to be honest and I reckon you could do it for less than £30 (I don't know if that is what sort of budget you had in mind)

kippygirl

We've already booked the ferry - we are a family of 4 so can't share with anyone else and this was the cheapest ticket we could find It was more expensive to fly by the time you factored in car hire costs as well. We have a four hour drive from Dublin to get to the venue.

I like the tree idea. We will be taking the car although we probably won't take the present with us as the couple already live over here but are just going back to the bride's home country for the wedding.

Yellowbug

I am thinking of doing this for my cousins wedding in canada in june

I am goign to take lots of photos during the day, then between the day and evening do's I am going to disapear to an hour photo place (I have visited a few times so I know where I can go lol) get the photos developed and pop them in an album for her, then present it to them at the end of the day so they have some photos of their day to look at straight away as they will have quite a wait for the photos from the official photographer, plus I can get some quirky shots that should make them smile
Will probably add some notes to it about the day too

I know she will like it as she loves photos and 'my albums'

We are close tho so I know I can do it and she will love it, so I guess it depends on how close you are to the couple


Also maybe have a think about things they like, or things that connect you and them and try and think of a gift along those lines?

zfrl

I would have loved a comments book as well. Someone I know did one for a friend. They went round asking people to sign & say something personal. They loved it & it didn't cost much - could be combined with the photo album.

mb3006

Have you thought of something like this...http://www.celtoidesigns.com/
THey start at ££14.95 for the unpersonalised version and come with a choice of appropriate verse for whetever the occasion. I got one for a friend (Irish) who now lives in America and she loves it.

Also splashed out and got a large personalised one for my brother's wedding - they were really touched at such a personal gift (had their names, parents names, date of wedding and name of church and name of reception venue on there). I really can't question the quality of these items and would happily buy one as a gift for every wedding I go to in the future!!