A good friend of mine is getting married very soon and I was initially stumped about what to get her and her hubby to be.

Venecia isn't a girly girl but she likes fun and playful things and she's still young, so her sense of style is evolving.

I want to get her something practical but at the same time unusual, but since she didn’t have a gift registry, I was left facing an endless choice of gift possibilities. At first, I thought of a wedding album until my mom told me that couples like to get those themselves.

Then I thought of crockery and cutlery, but what style of dinner set do I get Venecia? She is far too fun for the classic white china but I don't think she would like patterned plates either. Plus I have to consider her fiancé - while we might love mugs with cute flower detail, I don't think he would favour that too much.

I asked some colleagues for some thoughts and there were no end to their suggestions. From steak knives to warm blankets and spa treatments. But it left me feeling more stumped than I did to begin with. I nearly took the easy method with a gift voucher – but I honestly think it’s too impersonal.

So I finally asked the bride-to-be herself what she’d like and what do you know? I’m excited to be getting a gift that I know she wants and needs.

Below are some helpful wedding gift ideas:

1. Chocolate fondue set
2. Cheese board
3. Waffle maker
4. Digital scale or beautiful clock
5. Personalised or monogrammed towels
6. Breakfast-in-bed trays
7. Faux fur throw or blanket
8. Ice cream maker
9. Home accesories - candles, ornaments, vases etc (to their liking)
10. Photoframe or digital photoframe
11. Wine glasses
12. Blender or food processer
13. Pots and pans
14. Good quality bed linen (be sure to find out what size bed they have)
15. Serving spoons
16. A high quality set of kitchen or steak knives
17. A good knife sharpener
18. A canvas print of a photo of the bride and groom
19. Braai tools
20. Cash