A fun-ctional heirloom they can use together

March 02 2026, 3 min reading time

By Shelley Swanson

When a customer comes in seeking a wedding gift, we often ask the most un-romantic questions to help them find the most perfect cutting or serving board.

Do they live in a small apartment in the city or do they own a home with a sprawling kitchen?

You don't want to get a 23" Cole Cutting Board if the couple has a narrow, double sink in a small apartment and minimal counter space. For apartment dwellers, I lean toward the Sand Hills or Short Round Cutting Board. But if they have a standard kitchen and love to cook, the Cole Cutting Board or the River Rock Farm are both brilliant options.

Is this their first marriage?

Think about what they may already own and may, or may not need.

Do they like to cook and or entertain?

If the couple is more likely to door dash than cook a roast or chop like a chef, that is when a charcuterie or serving board will be the better option.

What is their decor style?

When choosing a wood tone for the board, I like to think about the couple's style and interior vibe. Do you see them digging a fun and colorful cutting board or does their style speak to a more neutral pattern?

Most people don't have the answer to all of these questions. But if you are in the market for a memorable gift that the couple will cherish for years to come, considering a few of these questions can help you find the perfect personalized gift. If you have a wedding or shower on the calendar for 2026, let's break down the options for engraving your handmade gift!

How should I customize the board?

I like to think about whether the couple might be taking one another's last name. If they're not (which is fairly common) or you're just not sure, we like to use the couple's first names together + the date of their wedding. This style of engraving has a folksy, sweet quality to it, without making any assumptions on their naming preference. It's a gift that simply says you and me and lots of cheese.

Our Nautical Cleat Server is one of our most popular wedding gifts because not only does it look great on a table with charcuterie, it is often a centerpiece on a hutch or console table. The Bubinga and hard maple wood tones, coupled with the cleat hardware, are a real standout within a home.

If the couple is going take one another's last name, we love using a traditional monogram (female first usually) with the initial of their last name in the center.

A rock-solid personalization choice is also to just write their last name along with the year the couple was "established," if they are choosing to share one last name.

And when it comes to wooden gifts, it doesn't always have to be a cutting or a serving board. We love the idea of a group purchasing a Statement Whale for a couple. A piece of art that invokes the coastal heritage of New England can be a unique and special gift they will be stoked to receive.