Life of Riley | Wedding Gift Guide

Wedding Gift Guide

They said yes!

A good engagement present is something that celebrates the couple’s love and marks the beginning of their journey together.

Our conker leather engagement ring boxes are the perfect way to present the symbol of your love. Handcrafted from our signature conker brown leather, these boxes are not only durable, but also timeless.

But what sets these ring boxes apart is the option for hand embossing. Picture you presenting the ring box to reveal on the lid your partner’s initials or a significant date to treasure for years to come, making each box a unique and personalised keepsake.

They are the perfect size to hold your engagement ring, protecting it from damage and ensuring it stays in pristine condition until the big day.

Whether you’re looking for a way to propose in style or simply want a beautiful and meaningful way to present your engagement ring, our conker brown ring boxes are the perfect choice. u

Leather Tiny Round Ring Box

Leather Ring Box left page

Leather Celebration Wine Cooler Gift Set

Here are some ideas that could be great engagement presents:

Personalised gift

A personalised gift such as a photo memorabilia box , an embossed item like a leather memento box or a personalised luggage tag attached to the heirloom trunk can be a meaningful and unique way to celebrate the couple’s engagement.

Experience

Give the couple an experience they can share together, such as a cooking class, spa treatment, or tickets to a concert or show they both enjoy.

Home accessories

If the couple is planning to move in

together after the engagement, a thoughtful home accessory such as a storage basket , set of coasters , or a leather coffee tray can be a practical yet meaningful engagement present.

Subscription service

Consider gifting a subscription service for a year, such as a wine or meal kit delivery, or a monthly book club subscription. This can give the couple something to look forward to each month and enjoy together.

Donation

If the couple is passionate about a particular cause, consider making a donation to a relevant charity in their honour. u

Leather Curved Storage Basket

Leather Coasters & Holders

Ultimately, the best engagement present is one that shows the couple how much you care and celebrates their love in a thoughtful way.

Leather Coffee Tray

For the happy couple

If you’re planning to set up a wedding gift registry, Life of Riley’s products are available on several popular wedding present list websites; Wedding Present Direct and the Wedding Shop. These websites offer an easy and

convenient way for couples to compile their list. They have a wide selection of Life of Riley products to select from, making it easy for your loved ones to choose a gift that you will truly cherish. u

A brief history of wedding gifts

In Renaissance Itay, a marriage chest would have usually helped the bride’s dowry and would symbolise the joining of the couple. Designed to compliment furnishings in the couple’s bedchamber they would be repurposed to hold the bride’s linens and household goods. Dowries are a lot less common now but a place to store linen is still ever useful!

1850s in Southern US, a gift of a leather key basket was symbolic of the wife becoming mistress of the house. It would hold the household keys. Today we are repurposing this archaic gendered tradition with a personalised coin tray or magazine basket suitable for everyone.

In 1924 the well known New York department store Macy’s created the first gift registry. You can list your Life of Riley gifts through online wedding shops The Wedding Shop and Wedding Present Direct. u

Leather Chest

Leather Blanket Basket

Photograph Sandy Miller / Unsplash

left page

Photograph Julia Solonina / Unsplash

Originating from Lancashire in Victorian England, this rhyme was about the five charms a bride should wear on her wedding day to help towards a successful marriage.

Something old

Symbolising continuity, this needed to be a gift that represented life before marriage which developed into an heirloom gift from a family member, for example, a piece of jewellery handed down from mother to daughter. Ideally, it should come from someone who has had a long prosperous marriage.

Something new

This represents the new life that the couple will start together. Traditionally this gift would be from the groom or his family. It signifies optimism for the future and welcoming the bride to her new family.

Something borrowed

A gift from a happily married friend or relative, it will transfer their luck to you.

Something blue

It signifies fidelity, love and purity. Before the traditional white wedding

dress came into fashion in the Victorian era, it was more common to wear blue. Blue was used to baffle the evil eye; this can still be seen today in countries like Turkey. Today, you can use the blue through two grooms wearing blue bow ties or the bridesmaid wearing blue dresses.

A Sixpence in the shoe

The bride’s father would put a sixpence in her shoe to give the happy couple good luck and prosperity. This fifth line to this rhyme has not stood the test of time, although you can replace the sixpence with a penny. Another new way of incorporating this tradition is to have the penny tied to the ring bearer’s pillow or part of the groom’s cufflinks. u

The Wedding Party

Abridal party includes the closest family and friends of the bride and groom, who support the couple on their special day. They help with wedding planning, ensure everything

runs smoothly, and are an important part of the big day. Choose a gift that shows your appreciation for their love, support, and dedication. u

Photograph Al Elmes / Unsplash

Gift guide For

Bridesmaids

Set of Three Leather Tealight Holder

Leather Personalised Small Jewellery Box

Leather Earring Box

Waxed Canvas Tote Bag

Scented Candle Gift Set

Merino Wool Wrap

For Groomsmen

Leather Handled Bottle Opener & Corkscrew

Leather Two Piece Travel Set

Leather Pen Box

Leather Stud Box

Leather Case with Four Metal Stirrup Cups

Waxed Canvas Toiletry Bag

Retro Leather Hip Flask

Travelling on Honeymoon

Travelling on honeymoon can be an exciting and unforgettable experience. It's a time when newlyweds get to relax, unwind, and create cherished memories together.

Agreat option is to consider gifts that are both practical and romantic. For instance, a set of matching

luggage tags, a travel journal or a personalised map of their honeymoon destination can all be useful gifts that will also create lasting memories. Whatever you choose, make sure it reflects the couple’s personality and style and will enhance their honeymoon experience. u

Leather Home & Away Travel Set

Leather Valet Set

left page: Leather Luggage Tag left to right: Waxed Canvas & Leather Weekend Bag, Waxed Canvas Toiletry Bag

A New Chapter, New Home

Leather Heirloom Trunk & Leather Cabin Trunk

Moving into a new home can be an exciting and overwhelming experience. Whether you are relocating to a new city or simply upgrading your living space, there are several things to consider before and after the move.

Before the move, it is important to create a plan and prepare for the transition. This includes packing your belongings, hiring a van or professional movers, and updating your address with important contacts such as banks, utility companies, and the post office. You may also want to take measurements of your new space to ensure that your furniture and appliances will fit comfortably. We

Leather Hallway Set

Leather Barware Collection

have an online guide to help you find the right size leather trunk for your home.

One of the best things about moving into a new home is the opportunity to make it your own. You can decorate and personalise your space to fit your style and preferences. This can include things like painting the walls, hanging artwork, or adding plants and other decorative touches.

Overall, moving into a new home can be a time of excitement and adventure. By being prepared and taking things one step at a time, you can make the transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. u

left to right Leather Curved Storage Basket

Leather Ottoman Tray

Leather Lamp Base

Leather Cabin Trunk

Leather Stick Holder

Storing The Memories

Preserving the memories of your wedding day in a beautiful leather bound keepsake box can provide a cherished reminder of your special day for years to come.

Leather Memory Box

Your wedding day is one of the most significant and memorable events in your life. It is a day when you pledge your love and commitment to your partner, surrounded by your loved ones. While the day itself may pass in a blur, the memories of your wedding day can last a lifetime. One way to cherish these

Your wedding invitation is an important memento that represents the start of your journey together. You can keep a copy of the invitation in your box to remind you of the excitement and anticipation leading up to your wedding day.

memories is by creating a keepsake box to store mementos from your wedding day.

Most of our leather boxes can be personalised by embossing directly on the lid or on a luggage tag that can be attached. Personalise your keepsake box with your initials or the date of your wedding, to make it a unique and special reminder of your big day.

Photographs are another essential item to include. They capture the special moments and emotions of your wedding day and allow you to relive those memories whenever you want. You can choose to print out some of your favorite photos and store them in your box, or even create a small album to keep inside.

Dried flowers are another popular item

Leather Memento Box

Leather Keepsake Trunk

to include. You can choose to preserve a bouquet or some flowers, allowing you to keep a physical reminder of the beauty and romance of your special day.

Wedding favours and other sentimental objects can also be stored in your keepsake box . These items can be anything that has special meaning to

you, such as a special piece of jewellery, a handwritten note, or a small trinket that reminds you of your day.

Creating a keepsake box is a beautiful way to preserve the memories of your wedding day. It allows you to revisit those special moments and emotions whenever you want, and it is a tangible

reminder of the love and commitment that you share with your partner. So, take some time to curate your keepsake box and cherish the memories of your wedding day for years to come. u

top Leather Gift Box | left Leather Photo Memorabilia Box | bottom in ascending size order, Leather Keepsake Trunk, Leather Heirloom Trunk, Leather Cabin Trunk, Lether Steamer Trunk

How to Preserve your Bouquet

Preserving a wedding bouquet allows the bride to hold onto a cherished memory and a beautiful reminder of her special day for years to come.

The flowers you choose to decorate your ceremony and reception can play a big role in creating the atmosphere you want. But what

happens to those beautiful blooms after the event is over? Here are some tips if you want to preserve your wedding flowers as a menento.

Photograph Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash

Choose the right Flowers

Some flowers hold up better than others when it comes to preservation. Roses, peonies, and hydrangeas are all good options, while delicate flowers like lilies and daisies may not fare as well. Talk to your florist about which flowers are best for preservation.

Plan ahead

If you want to preserve your wedding flowers, you need to start the process as soon as possible after the event. The longer you wait, the more likely the flowers will wilt or lose their colour.

Pressing

A traditional method of preserving flowers involves flattening them between layers of absorbent paper and placing the flowers between the pages of a heavy book or using a press. This method is best for flat flowers like pansies, daisies, and violets.

Air-drying

A simple method that involves hanging the flowers upside down in a dry, dark place. This allows the flowers to dry out slowly and retain their shape and colour. Air-drying is best for flowers like roses, peonies, and hydrangeas.

Silica gel

A desiccant that can be used to dry flowers quickly and effectively. This method involves burying the flowers in a container of silica gel and leaving

them for several days until they are completely dry. Silica gel can be found at most craft shops.

Freeze-drying

This is a more complex method of preserving flowers that involves freezing them and then removing the moisture through a process called sublimation. This method can be expensive, but it produces flowers that look almost as fresh as the day they were picked.

Frame or display

Once your flowers are preserved, you can frame them or display them in the Leather Photo Memorabilia Box . This allows you to enjoy your wedding flowers for years to come.

Preserving your wedding flowers is a great way to keep the memories of your special day alive. Whether you choose to press, air-dry, use silica gel, or freeze-dry your flowers, with a little bit of planning and effort, you can create a beautiful keepsake that will last a lifetime. u

Cover photograph Nathan Walker / Unsplash