Throughout my mid-twenties, I attended roughly half a dozen weddings a year. If I’m remembering correctly, my most wedding-heavy year included eight ceremonies and receptions, about half of which I was an attendant in. Suffice it to say, there was a lot of lavender and sage chiffon, hairspray and bobby pins, and weekend trips with groups of female friends throughout that stretch of my adulthood.

I loved this season of my life; weddings honor one of the most sacred of virtues – love – and receptions are joyful celebrations with family and friends, usually including, at the very least, some good cake and dancing. I saw my friends and my extended family frequently in those years, and while my bank account certainly doesn’t regret their passing, my social life does! 

Nowadays, I attend one to three weddings a year, with my next one coming up in just a few weekends. It’s my only wedding this year, and I’m excited for it.

When choosing gifts for weddings, I typically select something from the registry (I gravitate towards baking tools and anything that can be used outdoors), and for the weddings of Catholic couples (or couples from other Christian traditions, in many cases), I accompany the registry gift with a special gift that calls to mind their faith. To me, this adds an important touch, as it both gives me the opportunity to pick something personal and it helps couples begin to build their domestic church.

Whether you are attending one wedding or ten weddings this spring and summer, here are some ideas of Catholic gifts.

Book of Vows

These pocket-sized journals offer a space for couples to document and build upon the vows they chose to recite on their wedding day. They make not only a beautiful keepsake, but an opportunity for reflection and commitment as well. On the top shelf of my closet, I keep a box of memorabilia from my husband’s and my wedding – a program, an invitation, our place cards, the guestbook – and I would have loved to have added these to the box. In fact… maybe I will when we celebrate a milestone anniversary and renew our vows in the upcoming years!

Holy Family Plaque

Mary, Jesus and Joseph provide for us a perfect model of family life. A gift that calls them to mind, like this Holy Family Plaque, can be both meaningful and inspiring for a newly married couple. You might include a note along with the gift with a message wishing the couple the same love, trust, and faithfulness that filled the Holy Family. 

Stella Maris Tablecloth

One of my favorite wedding gifts, that I didn’t think to register for, was a beautiful tablecloth from my college advisor. We have lost touch since then, but I think of her every time I pull out the table covering for special dinners and occasions. This Stella Maris tablecloth has a beautiful block print in shades of blue and green, calling to mind our Mother Mary. 

Hands Rosary Dish

I love this Hands Rosary Dish, which I think could also double as a wedding ring holder for the new couple. The dish could be gifted on its own, or accompanied by his and her rosaries. 

Living the Seasons Book

I tend to believe that a book is always a welcomed gift, and a book of the coffee table/cookbook/guide variety especially. They don’t take up a lot of space but they communicate care and have the potential to add rich ideas to a home. This Living the Seasons book offers an abundance of activities, suggestions and recipes for creatively celebrating the faith throughout the year. The book is organized by the Liturgical year, guiding readers through celebrating Catholic feast days, holy days, and Church seasons. A couple can use it immediately, and if the new family is blessed with children, their kids will love the crafts, snacks and projects that the book suggests for faith filled celebrations. 

White Wood Crucifix

A simple, elegant crucifix is an excellent choice for a wedding gift for a Catholic couple. This White Wood Crucifix would look beautiful in a foyer, living room, hallway, or bedroom. It comes in a gift box, and would accompany a cash or registry gift well. 

Ceramic Holy Water Bottle

If you are looking for a unique piece of which the couple will likely not receive more than one, this Ceramic Holy Water Bottle is it! The bottle can be filled with Holy Water (many churches have a vessel containing Holy Water at the back of the church, but if yours doesn’t, ask your priest for some) and then taken home to use to bless one’s self or space. I love the idea of including with this gift a copy of one or more Catholic home blessings for the couple to use to bless their new shared space. 

Blessing Plate

This stoneware blessing plate shares a sentiment that is as beautiful as the plate itself – we belong to one another, and in sharing food, we share love. 

I hope this list sparked some ideas for a gift that's both thoughtful and faith-filled. Weddings are such a beautiful reminder of God’s love, and a meaningful gift can be part of that celebration.