Wedding season is lurking just around the corner...

Wow, so wedding season is looming just around the corner, which I both love, and fear. I do adore weddings; getting dressed up, spending an evening with my handsome husband and our friends...however, the registry gifts, for both bridal showers and the wedding receptions, can really, really add up. I happen to have particular (uggg hmmm, high maintenence) friends whom seem to register at Neiman Marcus, Pottery Barn and William Sonoma, where the gifts are easily costing up to $250. For anyone who can't seem to part with a serious amount of cash like that, I have come up with some awesome alternatives, all under the $100 range. (Note; I was just married last June, and these are ALL gifts I would love to have received.) Some of my favorite gifts acutally did not come off my registries; a lot of my parents friends are old fashioned, and do not believe in purchasing off registries. So here's my list, I have 2 weddings thus far this year, and will definitely be purchasing the picnic basket set for one of my best friends bridal shower gift;

This would be perfect, and I think I will go in on it with one of the other gals and fill it with some wine, crackers, Pelligrino, olives and other non perishables. I would personally adore this as a gift!! $74.95 feels like a bargain for a gift that can be enjoyed on a lovely Saturday afternoon hike, or trip to the coast, again and again.

http://www.amazon.com/Picnic-Time-Malibu-Duffel-Storage/dp/B004BDEEM2/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1330979390&sr=1-1

This next gift is hands down my husbands FAVORITE gift he's ever received for the kitchen. I have made many a panini and grilled cheese on this, and the clean up is super easy (a huge plus for me.). It's also great for burgers, and awesome for anyone living in an apartment or townhome missing their BBQ days. If we happen to be close with any grooms it will definitely be their engagement/wedding gift, and it's a steal at $74.95. This thing is a gem, and probably slightly more tailored towards gents.

http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-GR-4N-5-in-1-Griddler/dp/B002YD99Y4/ref=sr_1_2?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1330980322&sr=1-2

This wall clock is amazing. The price is even better, with a normal retail value of $134.95, and our price is $64.95. Talk about a beautiful, classic gift. Plus, it's a great size, and if your newlywed friends are anything like mine, they probably have a lot of empty wall space to fill -- this would be a great statement piece in their new home.

http://www.amazon.com/Blazon-quot-Wide-Wall-Clock/dp/B004TMSWO6/ref=sr_1_19?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1330980915&sr=1-19

Also, this is one of the most beautiful and functional wedding shower gifts I received. It's a lovely cut crystal ring holder (for my goregous engagement ring) by Waterford. I keep my ring on it everytime I take it off to shower, wash dishes, work in my herb garden ect.  At $59, it's a lovely and special gift your friend will remember for her whole life.

http://www.amazon.com/Waterford-751-433-95-00-Round-Ring-Holder/dp/B00015CEL2/ref=sr_1_10?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1332608464&sr=1-10

So there you have it; a couple of unique and budget friendly gift ideas for the new happy couple. Enjoy!!