Guests often spend a lot on weddings, as well, especially if they have to fly in from out of town and pay for lodging. While some couples request expensive gifts on their registry, there are plenty of ways to get creative and give the happy couple a thoughtful gift they’ll love — without breaking your bank.
Send them to a winery
With the stress typically associated with planning a wedding, gifting the couple a trip to a winery will give them a chance to relax and have some fun. If you live nearby, you could even take them yourself and bring along some snacks or a picnic to celebrate the couple pre-wedding. Check out local deal sites for discounted winery packages. There are many deals on Groupon that offer wine tasting packages that include souvenirs at a cost of just $25 for two people or under $50 for four people. 
Share your favorite recipe
For the couple who loves to cook and try new recipes, put together a food basket with one of your favorite recipes and all the necessary ingredients. If it’s pulled chicken barbecue sliders, grab the chicken, your favorite barbecue sauce, buns, cheese and green onions. 
Make a photo scrapbook
Create a photo scrapbook chronicling the happy couple’s life together before the wedding day. With many people sharing photos on Facebook, Instagram and other social media, it shouldn’t be hard to find photos without asking them and ruining the surprise. Make the photo scrapbook by hand with an elegant book from Target or craft store for under $20, or order a digital one online. Shutterfly, for instance, has a variety of wedding photo book options starting at $15.99.
Personalize some wine or beer gifts
For the couple who love to drink beer and wine, give them something fun to drink it out of with some Mr. and Mrs. beer or wine glasses. Most sets are under $25. You could also add a personalized wine stopper for under $15 to complete the themed gift.
Help with a wedding- related task
A successful wedding requires a lot of work from a lot of people. Think about what you’re good at and offer to help instead of getting a traditional gift. The bride and groom will likely love the chance to get rid of one of the many duties on the wedding checklist. Offering your help with wedding setup at the venue the day of or with the cleanup afterward won’t cost you anything. Your friends are much more likely to remember you for cleaning up everything for them at the end of the night instead of some plates you got them that got buried with all of their other gifts.