Wedding Gifts in Australia: Fun Money-Themed Gift Ideas for the Couple

Wedding gifts: what couples actually want

Wedding gift lists are full of practical items, and many couples also receive cash or vouchers. A fun, memorable extra gift stands out. People searching for wedding gifts, wedding present ideas, a wedding gift for the couple or good presents for weddings often want something that is not on the registry and not another toaster.

A money-themed gift can be that extra. It is playful, it suits the tradition of giving money at a wedding, and it makes a funny photo at the reception. It is not a replacement for the real gift: think of it as the joke that goes with the card.

Wedding present ideas with a money theme

Here are the gifts we sell that suit a wedding. All prices include GST and shipping is free.

A novelty big cheque is an easy way to turn a cash gift into a moment. Present a joke cheque on the day, with the real gift in the card, and the photographer will thank you. The cheque is a novelty piece only and is not a real financial instrument.

The wedding money dance

In some cultures the money dance is a long-standing wedding tradition: guests pin or hand money to the bride or groom while they dance. If you are planning one, a prop pack gives the dance a visual without handing out real cash, or can be used as decor and for a photo moment. Our Wedding & Event Pack is sized for exactly that. If the tradition is part of your family's culture, speak to your family about how it is usually done, and treat the prop as an addition and not a replacement.

Never use prop notes as payment, and make sure everyone knows they are props. The Reserve Bank's rule for reproducing banknotes says a physical reproduction must be smaller than three-quarters, or larger than one and a half times, the length and width of the genuine note, and printed on one side only. You can read the full wording on the RBA's page on reproducing banknotes, and the offences sit in the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981. Our notes are reduced-scale, marked NOT LEGAL TENDER on every note, and carry no replicated security features.

Money lei for the wedding party

A lei made of prop notes is a fun gift for a bridal party, and a good photo prop. See our guide to money leis for how they work. The Money Lei 3-Pack at $30.95 suits a group of three, and the Money Lei (Single) at $13.95 suits a single guest of honour.

Engagement party ideas

An engagement party is a more relaxed occasion than a wedding, and a good place for a funny gift. A novelty cheque, a lei, or a box of notes with a card about "starting a new life together" all work. People search for engagement party ideas and engagement celebration themes because they want something light-hearted without being over the top.

For an engagement, keep gifts modest. A single lei and a card, or a big cheque for the photographs, is plenty. Save the bigger gift for the wedding.

Planning around the wedding budget

The Australian Government's MoneySmart site has a helpful page on marriage and money, covering how couples can talk about their finances and set up accounts after marriage. If you are giving a cash gift, a gentle note that it is "for your first shared purchase" fits that conversation.

As a guest, set a budget for the gift and the extras before you shop. A fun add-on of $30 to $60 is plenty.

Wedding present gifts: how much to spend

There is no fixed rule for how much to spend on wedding present gifts, and it depends on your relationship with the couple, your budget and local custom. Many guests choose a cash gift or a contribution to a registry, with a modest extra such as a card or a small novelty. A fun add-on of $30 to $60 sits comfortably alongside a main gift, and does not require you to stretch your budget.

If you are unsure, follow the couple's lead. Many couples now include a note on their invitation about gifts, such as a preference for cash, a honeymoon fund or no gifts at all. Respect that note, and treat a novelty as a light extra.

Wedding gift presents: group gifts

Group gifts, sometimes called wedding gift presents from the whole office or friendship circle, are common for weddings, particularly for colleagues, extended family and friends who want to give something larger. A group of six guests contributing $20 each makes a $120 gift. A fun group gift could be a framed set, a big cheque presented on the day and a lei for the photos, with a card signed by everyone.

Appoint one person to collect the money and buy the gift, and agree the budget before you shop. Decide who will present it, and keep the speech short.

Wedding gifts for a couple: honeymoon funds and cash

Wedding gifts for couple groups, and for couples on their own, often come down to cash, and a honeymoon fund is a popular alternative to a traditional registry. If you are giving cash or contributing to a fund, a novelty gift makes the handover more fun. A big cheque presented at the reception, with the real contribution in the card, is a classic. The cheque is a novelty piece only and is clearly not a genuine financial instrument.

Be clear about what is the real gift and what is the novelty. A line on the card such as "the real gift is inside" avoids any confusion.

Bridal party gifts

Wedding gifts also include presents from the couple to their wedding party. A money lei for each groomsman or bridesmaid is a light-hearted thank-you that doubles as a photo prop. A small gift box tied with a ribbon works as a keepsake. If you are organising gifts for a wedding party of eight, a Money Lei 3-Pack and several singles are an inexpensive option.

Choosing between a joke gift and a keepsake

A joke gift gets a laugh at the reception and then often gets forgotten. A keepsake sits on a shelf and reminds the couple of the day. The best gifts do both. A framed set of notes is a keepsake with a wink: it hangs on the wall, and the story of who gave it comes with it. A big cheque is a joke that is photographed and stored in an album. A lei is a joke that is worn and photographed.

If you can only buy one, think about the couple. A couple who like to laugh will enjoy a joke gift. A couple who like their home to look good will appreciate a keepsake. And remember that the gift is only part of what you give: your presence, a good speech and a thoughtful card matter more than any object.

Timing and delivery for wedding gifts

Wedding gifts are usually given at the reception, delivered to the couple beforehand, or sent afterwards. If you are bringing a gift on the day, plan how it will be transported and where it will be stored. Many venues have a gift table, and a framed set is better delivered ahead of time. If you are sending it to the couple, check their preferred address, and allow enough time for tracked delivery.

Writing a wedding card to go with the gift

A wedding card is the part of the gift the couple will reread. Keep it warm and personal: a memory of the couple, a wish for their future and a line that echoes the gift. If you are giving a novelty cheque or a lei, a card that says "the real gift is inside" avoids confusion and gets a smile. Sign it clearly, and add your contact details if the couple may want to thank you.

What to check before you order

Our minimum order is $350 in goods, which applies to every order, so a single gift item does not reach it on its own. If you are buying for a wedding party, add items: the Wedding & Event Pack at $59, a lei 3-pack at $30.95, a big cheque at $41.95 and a framed set at $93.95 together come to $225.85, so add more items or other packs to reach it.

Timing. Notes are printed to order, so order well ahead of the date. We dispatch within one business day of confirmed payment, and delivery by tracked Australia Post usually takes three to five business days, free on every order.

Returns. If an order arrives damaged, misprinted or incorrect, contact us within 14 days of delivery for a replacement or refund, and returns by mail are free. Notes are printed to order, so change-of-mind refunds are not offered once an order has shipped.

Payment. We accept PayID/Osko, bank transfer via Osko, and crypto with 10% off the goods subtotal. Payment details are sent after your order request is confirmed.

For more ideas, see our guides to funny gifts, graduation gifts and photo booth props, or browse the party favours range. Prop notes are for film, theatre, education and novelty use only. They are reduced-scale, marked NOT LEGAL TENDER, and cannot be spent.