12 Good Luck Gifts for the Bride and Groom

When a couple first gets engaged, chances are they haven't even registered for gifts yet. But if you still want to send them a little something to say "congratulations," consider choosing a gift that will bring them good luck rather than risk buying a dishware set or kitchenware item you're not sure they'll need or like. These wedding gift ideas hold a little more meaning and can give the couple good luck.

Traditions that say certain gifts can bring newlyweds good luck in their marriage go back hundreds of years and come from different cultures around the world. Not only will they bring good luck, but a lot of these gifts will also be incredibly useful to the bride- and groom-to-be. You can get these items for any occasion as well, whether it's for the engagement party, bridal shower, wedding, or a housewarming gift. So read on to learn a little bit about how the traditions began and get good luck wedding gift inspiration.

Horseshoe

The horseshoe is the ancient and universal symbol for good luck. This item is especially popular in Irish weddings, where brides are given a charm or bracelet with the horseshoe and wear it down the aisle. In other cultures, horseshoes are given as gifts because they ward off evil spirits. The "luckiest" horseshoes are cast from iron to form the perfect marriage of fire and earth. Gift the bride a horseshoe bracelet to bring her luck in her marriage.

Lucky Horseshoe Bracelet Gold Dipped, $54, dogeared.com.

Ever wonder why there's a toast during the wedding reception? Alcohol is said to bless the new married couple's union with happiness and good health. Take this gesture one step further by gifting a nice bottle of booze, like this sparkling wine covered in sparkles, to really celebrate! Bonus: Every purchase benefits nonprofit charities—and that's some seriously good karma. 

OneHope Glitter Edition Brut Sparkling Wine, $59, onehopewine.com.

A love spoon is actually just a wooden spoon that's decoratively carved. A Welsh tradition, men would carve these spoons and give them to their loved ones as a romantic gesture. Since the spoon was one of the most important utensils in the kitchen (and still is!) it is said to bless the new home with a large family to cook for. Rather than handcrafting a spoon yourself, you can always buy a uniquely designed wooden spoon for the couple.

Martha Stewart Collection Set of 3 Acadia Kitchen Utensils, $30, macys.com.

Plants as a whole are the universal icon for new beginnings, so they are a great gift to give a couple that's about to begin their lives together! If you want to get even more specific, feng shui practices say that bamboo is the ultimate plant to have in your home. This lucky bamboo is said to bring peace and energy to the household, along with health, love, and luck. Not to mention it requires almost no upkeep and can liven up any room.

Brussel's Bonsai Fence Bamboo in Oval Glass Container, $31.97, homedepot.com.

While most brides and grooms actually give Jordan almonds to their guests as a favor, it can also work the other way around. These candies are seen most at Italian and Greek weddings, where the sugarcoating around the almond is the hope that the couple's life will be sweeter than before. Normally given in odd numbers, the most common practice is giving out five to represent the five wedding wishes: fertility, health, wealth, happiness, and longevity. And don't you want the new couple to have these things?

White Jordan Almonds, from $8, nuts.com.

Persian and Slavic cultures believe that gifting the new couple an egg will bless them with fertility. Many cultures, like Ukranian, Moroccan, and Mexican, decorate the wedding egg. We know: You probably don't want to give your best friends a carton of eggs, but you could always give them an egg-themed gift like this egg crate.

Crate&Barrel Dozen Yellow Egg Crate, $13, crateandbarrel.com.

The evil eye, a curse that is believed in many cultures, is a malicious glare that can cause misfortune. The belief is that the only way to repel this is to wear some sort of charm with eye-like symbols. Brides and grooms are given this charm on their wedding day to protect them from back luck. Though it has meaning, evil eye jewelry is very popular and can make a great gift.

Sydney Evan Mini Evil Eye Studs, $275, shopbop.com.

You know the saying "Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue?" The original rhyme had one last part: "and a silver sixpence in her shoe". Bet you weren't expecting that ending! Beginning in Britain, the father of the bride would place a sixpence coin in his daughter's shoe, which wished her prosperity, love, and happiness in her marriage. Though the sixpence isn't used anymore and the tradition is not as popular, you can always wish the bride good luck by giving her this adorable card.

Sixpence For Your Shoe Card, $10.42, etsy.com.

Did you know peonies promise longevity for a marriage? Gift the bride a peony vase to bring the couple luck, no matter what flowers they prefer!

Porcelain Peony Vase, $28, terrain.com.

In traditional folklore, candlesticks were given to the newlyweds to ensure that a home will never be without light.

Horn Candle Holders, $68, jonathanadler.com.

To ensure the bride and groom are never without food, traditional folklore says they should be gifted salt and pepper. Many also believe that the gift of salt and pepper will give flavor to their new life together.

Graviti Salt and Pepper Set Copper, $84.95, williams-sonoma.com.

A bell has purpose before the big day and after. Bells ward off evil spirits and can prevent the bride and groom from stumbling or making a mistake on their wedding day. After the wedding, they can remind the couple of the bells that rang on their big day and the vows they made to each other.

Iron Bracket Bell, $28, terrain.com.