She said yes! My friend Madeline has agreed to marry her long-term boyfriend Charlie and everyone couldn’t be happier, though I am beginning to fear Madeline has the potential to turn into a Bridezilla.

She is only five minutes engaged and is already stressing about the length of her dress and how to wear her hair…

Luckily for all involved, the one thing she has kept her feet on the ground about is her wedding presents. Madeline has already stated to those she has told her happy news that instead of gifts, they will instead be asking the guests to make donations to a charity of their choice instead.

I think this is a lovely gesture and proves that modern wedding registries go beyond mere towels and toasters!

I’d still like to give the loving couple a gift though (as well as donate to their charity), so here are my ideas for some gift picks that extend far beyond the conventional selections:

A luxurious hotel room for their first night as a married couple

Start their marriage off right by giving them a night to remember before they take off for their honeymoon. Check with the wedding party to ensure reservations have not already been made, and give your gift early so that they'll be able to include it in their plans. Try the Hotel Club to find the biggest selection of hotels in the largest number of countries.

Something to last

Get the happy couple a wedding gift to stand the test of time – get them a bottle of wine that needs to be laid down with instructions to drink on their tenth wedding anniversary. The couple will look fondly on your gift when the day finally comes to sip it.  Go to Berry Bros. and Rudd, the award-winning wine specialist for help choosing your perfect tipple.

Make their honeymoon one to remember

Find out where the lucky couple are going on holiday, do some research and use that knowledge to get them a gift certificate for a restaurant or an activity for their time there. If you are feeling really flash, you could upgrade their tickets to first class or give them some spending money in the local currency tucked inside a guidebook of the area.

Money

As impersonal and uncreative as cold hard cash sounds - money is probably the number one wanted wedding gift. Most couples are saving for something big – a house, new car or even still paying back university loans. While it’s rude for couples to ask for cash, remember, it’s never rude to give money. If you want to make the gift of money more personal, attach a cheque to a digital photo frame already loaded with images of the pair.

An expensive item off of their registry

If the bride and groom have already got a gift list, then go for the most expensive item on there.  Seriously. Often the more-expensive items on a couple's registry are dream wedding gifts that they don't think they're actually going to get. If you're not wealthy enough to buy such a wedding gift on your own, organise other guests to chip in with you and share the costs.

With any of these gifts you'll be making dreams come true -  and you won’t be remembered as the guest who bought them the side plate...