Department store delights
1. House of Fraser
The list lowdown There are over 100 top brands available. You can personalise your list by adding photos and you’ll receive a purchase report afterwards listing guests’ messages and addresses to help you with your thank-you notes. Plus, there’s a 20% discount on all remaining items.
Top tip “Give plenty of choice (around 70 gifts based on 100 guests – some will be couples) and make sure there’s a decent range of prices available,” says wedding list manager Jillian Aslet.
We love The Shabby Chic range from Rachel Ashwell has some lovely additions for 2012 – the Turquoise Rose dinnerware channels a Fifties vibe for vintage charm.
houseoffraserweddinglist.co.uk; 0844 800 0535
2. John Lewis
The list lowdown Georg Jensen, Sophie Conran, Le Creuset, Vera Wang and Bugaboo are just a few of the designer names in stock. The list opens to guests six weeks before your wedding and John Lewis provides handy inserts with details to pop in with your invites.
Top tip “If you’re pushed for time to visit the store or to view the selection online, set up a gift voucher-only list,” says gift list manager Lisa O’Beirne. “Pick them up after your day and shop ’til you drop!”
We love As if running around zapping things wasn’t exciting enough you’ll also receive a complimentary voucher for tea and cake on your first visit.
johnlewisgiftlist.com; 0845 600 2202
3. Debenhams
The list lowdown Pick from over 70 wedding website designs and invite guests to choose from traditional pressies or gift cards where donations can be made for anything up to £5000. There’s also a honeymoon fund and a charity option too.
Top tip “Compile your list around three months before your wedding, but no less than six weeks,” says Debenhams’ Michelle Dowdall.
We love You get an extra treat with a free £50 gift card when guests have bought £250-worth of gifts from your list.
debenhamsweddings.com; 0844 800 8877
Honeymoon hot lists
4. Turquoise Holidays
The list lowdown If sun, sea and sand is more your thing, ask guests to contribute to the overall cost of your honeymoon. Once you’ve paid a deposit, Turquoise will supply gift list cards for you to post to your guests, who can make either cash donations or buy travel experiences – think boat trips, spa treatments and romantic dinners – and you can upload images of you enjoying yourselves when you return.
We love As you sip cocktails in paradise, you can send all of your guests e-postcards with photos of you on your honeymoon.
turquoiseholidays.co.uk; 01494 678 400
5. Abercrombie & Kent
The list lowdown A super-bespoke service with a dedicated travel specialist at the ready; you can create a personalised honeymoon itinerary that your guests can contribute towards. They can also buy you surprise experiences that aren’t on your list, like a romantic star bath for two under the African skies. When you return, you’ll also receive an album detailing all of your gifts, contributions and messages.
We love Travel in style with A&K Airport Concierge – they can arrange specials like a helicopter transfer from Bangkok airport to the Peninsula Hotel so you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the city while sipping a glass of bubbly.
abercrombiekent.co.uk/giftlist; 0845 618 2200
6. Kuoni
The list lowdown You’ll be sent a welcome pack with 50 announcement cards to send to your guests. They can log on, make a contribution and leave you a personal message. When your holiday balance is due you can transfer the money directly from your gift list and any extra contributions made while you’re away will be sent to you in the form of a cheque when the list closes.
We love Quirky ideas from the Authentic Experiences range – fly over Kenya in a hot air balloon or go cruising on a Harley-Davidson through Cape Town.
kuoni.co.uk; 01306 744 181
Charity Choices
7. Oxfam
The list lowdown With Oxfam Unwrapped, guest contributions go towards whatever you choose – help to plant an allotment, kit out a classroom or build a well. Money raised is always spent on your chosen gift or on something in the same category (water, food etc) with flexibility which means urgent supplies are prioritised if the communities’ circumstances change.
We love Guests can send messages with gifts through e-cards, describing the gift and how the donation will be used.
oxfam.org.uk; 0300 200 1292
8. Cancer Research UK
The list lowdown Contributions help researchers to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. You can create a personalised website with photos and messages, which you can update regularly before and after the wedding.
We love Cool keepsake wedding favour cards with Cancer Research UK pin badges for a suggested donation of £2 each – especially Jenny Packham’s exclusive pink shooting star badge.
giveincelebration.cancerresearchuk.org; 0300 123 1863
9. NSPCC
The list lowdown Your guests’ donations work to care for and protect children in the UK. The NSPCC will thank guests on your behalf and keep a record of who has donated and how much has been raised. You can do it online or have a collection on the day.
We love Send guests favour cards with pin badges or display them on your tables; even string them together as bunting to celebrate the contributions made.
nspcc.org.uk; 020 7825 2814
