A Guide to Wedding Gifts in Silver
Silver became a traditional wedding gift for a practical reason as much as a sentimental one: it doesn’t tarnish the way plated metal does, so a piece bought for a wedding is still sound decades later, at the couple’s own anniversary. This guide covers the types of silver wedding gift most commonly chosen.
Why Silver Became the Traditional Wedding Gift
Silver’s durability, more than its appearance, is the real reason it became the traditional wedding gift material. A well-made piece survives daily use in a way plated silver or other metals don’t, which matters for something meant to furnish a couple’s home for decades. It’s also one of the few gift categories where an antique piece and a newly made one sit comfortably alongside each other, since both are fully hallmarked UK sterling silver.
Types of Wedding Gift
Wedding gifts split between pieces the couple will use together and presentation pieces meant to be kept and displayed; most take engraving well, which is usually what makes the gift specific to them.
Champagne Flutes
Used on the day, and on every anniversary after.
Photograph Frames
Built to hold two photographs side by side, a natural fit for a couple.
Candlesticks & Candelabra
A traditional gift for the couple’s own table.
Presentation Trays & Salvers
A larger, more formal gift, taking an engraved inscription well.
Presentation Dishes
A smaller alternative, still substantial enough to display.
A lasting keepsake
Bought once, kept for the whole marriage
A genuine hallmark
Independently verified, not a marketing claim
A personal touch
Engraved with both names, a date, or both
Our Pick
Three wedding pieces we’d point to first.
Pair of Candelabra, London 1965
A traditional table piece for the couple’s own home.
Making It Personal: Engraving
A wedding gift is usually engraved with the couple’s names and the date, sometimes alongside a short message. Hand-engraving is part of our silversmithing service; get in touch with the piece you’re considering and we can talk through what’s possible.
Common Questions
Shipping & Delivery
UK orders are sent via trusted couriers, including FedEx, with tracked delivery typically arriving within a week of dispatch.
If you’d like help choosing a wedding gift, or want to talk through engraving options, our showroom team in the London Silver Vaults are happy to help, by phone, email, or in person.