Wedding Presents That Tell a Story: Best Murano Glass Gifts for Couples

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A wedding is one of the most important days in a person’s life. To celebrate this, family and friends generally give the happy couple a gift. This can be tricky, especially if you are not sure of their likes and dislikes or what other people are giving them. However, if you are looking for something that will become a special family heirloom for the newlyweds for years to come, a Murano Glass gift may fit the bill perfectly. Murano Glass is beautiful, unique, handmade, and carries a flair of Venice, the most romantic city in the world. 

What To Consider When Buying a Wedding Gift

Budget  

The cost of a gift can be a deciding factor when buying a wedding present. Of course, most people have a budget when it comes to giving gifts. The average cost of wedding gifts typically ranges between $50 and $200, though the cost may be much higher for those especially close to yoy. While Murano Glass may be pricey due to its meticulous craftsmanship and artistic value, some smaller pieces are beautiful and fall within the lower end of the budget, such as a photo frame, a cake knife, or a symbolic figurine, like two hearts on a gondola. If your budget is higher, think of champagne flutes, Venetian mirrors, or a centerpiece bowl or vase.

Relationship with the Couple

If you barely know the couple, buying something from their wedding registry is often the best way to go. However, close friends and family will probably want to purchase something more personal and more expensive for the couple. Consider a special gift for your close friends or relatives that speaks to their tastes and will be treasured and valued beyond the wedding day. Murano glassware comes in many techniques and styles, from opulent with gold and silver leaf, to bold with rich colors and unexpected shapes, to contemporary with clean lines and muted colors. No matter what Murano Glass piece you pick for a gift, it is guaranteed to be stunning, and because it is handmade, each piece is only one of its kind. 

Usefulness of the Gift

Some people like to choose a gift that will be useful to the couple, such as high-quality kitchen accessories, top-of-the-line tableware, or luxury bedding. A Murano glass gift fits right into this philosophy because many pieces are functional as well as decorative, such as wine and water glasses, decanter sets, candle holders, vases, bowls, and servingware.

Decorative Appeal of the Gift

The aesthetic of the couple is another consideration. When looking for a suitable present, Murano glass gifts are perfect. There is a wide variety of pieces to choose from, which have been created using different techniques. There will be something to suit most home decor styles. If you know the color scheme of the couple’s home or their decorative preferences, this will help you choose the right piece. The gift will be appreciated all the more if it matches the decor of their home. 

Personalized to the Couple

Having an item, such as towels or tableware, monogrammed adds a personal touch to a gift. Glassware is perfect in this respect, because it can be easily engraved. Sometimes, you can get the Murano Glass seller to engrave a gift, or buy a piece and then take it to a professional engraver to add that special personal touch, like the names of the newlyweds or the date of the wedding. What can be more perfect than giving a couple something that speaks especially to them?

Wedding or Anniversary

Many wedding gifts also make perfect anniversary gifts, and the same considerations generally apply to both. Among wedding anniversaries, some are especially meaningful, such as 10-year, 25-year (silver anniversary), 40-year (ruby anniversary), 50-year (golden anniversary), and beyond. A couple that stayed together through thick and thin this long surely deserves a very special gift, and you would be the talk of the celebration with a handcrafted gift from Italy, especially if Italy holds a special place in the couple’s heart.

Why Pick Murano Glass for a Wedding Gift

A Symbol of Italian Craftsmanship and Artistry

Murano glass has a superb reputation with a history going back hundreds of years. It signifies the best craftsmanship in the world and carries great artistic and historical value.

Glassmaking in Italy goes back to the times of the Roman Empire, but it was in the Middle Ages that Murano Island off of Venice became the glassmaking capital of the world. All glassmaking furnaces were moved to the island of Murano from Venice, and since then, the artisans have innovated and evolved the craft to eventually turn it into a recognized art form. By the time of the Renaissance, Murano glass had become an emblem of luxury. It made its way into the courts of kings and into the palaces of the nobility. To own a piece of Murano glass meant that you were wealthy and a patron of the arts. 

Murano glassworkers were both artists and scientists, often experimenting with chemical and physical features of different materials and developing new glassmaking techniques. One of the most innovative of these was cristallo, a clear, colorless glass that revolutionized glassware in Europe and led to the creation of the first glass mirrors. It was, and still is, used to make elegant wine glasses and decorative objects. 

By the 19th century, artisans began blending traditional techniques with contemporary ideas, and this continues today. Glasswork is made to suit both traditionalists and progressivists, but is still made with the same expert craftsmanship, whether it is a vase, chandelier, wine glass, or sculpture. Owning an authentic piece of Murano Glass means that you own a little part of Venice’s history. What a wonderful wedding present this makes!

Murano Glass Alludes to Romance

Murano Glass hails from Venice, one of the most romantic places in the world. Many couples in love flock to Venice in the hope of meeting a sunset on the Rialto Bridge, looking at the Grand Canal glistening in the rays of the setting sun, dreaming about a beautiful future together. People all over the world dream of taking a romantic gondola ride in Venice, familiar with its gorgeous palaces rising from the water, if not from personal experience, then from postcards, travel websites, and many artworks that depict and glorify the stunning beauty of Venice.

Venice has an artistic ambiance that adds to the romantic atmosphere. Enjoying the beauty of art glass and stopping in the small glass shops where you can sometimes spot the master at work is a quintessential Venetian experience, something not to be missed. The charm of Murano Island is enhanced by visiting the glass museum and learning about its history while admiring the masterpieces of Murano Glass art. 

Uniqueness

Murano glass gifts are perfect for newlyweds as they are absolutely unique. Each piece is handmade, so no two pieces can ever be exactly the same. They can also be customized, making them even more special. 

Timeless Beauty

Murano Glass is timeless. What was created centuries ago is still as relevant and beautiful, if not more so, than glass created yesterday. The Murano Glass gift you give to the newlyweds today will still be awe-inspiring and stunning when the couple celebrates their golden wedding anniversary.

Versatility

Many pieces of Murano glass are versatile. Vases and bowls, for example, are both decorative and can be used for practical purposes such as holding flowers, fruits, or candy. Candle holders are beautiful decor items but look even better in the warm glow of candles. A set of wine glasses can be used for special dinners and wine parties as well as attract attention and become the focus of conversation when displayed in a china or kitchen cabinet.

Murano Glass Gifts Last a Lifetime

Murano Glass is so well-made that it will last a lifetime as long as you take care of it. For example, don’t put a glass sculpture on a low shelf if you have children, as they may knock it off. 

Delicate pieces can get chipped, so you need to pay attention to where and how you display, dust, or wash them, while thicker pieces like bowls, vases, and chandeliers are extremely resilient. They can last for generations and so become a family heirloom. 

What Types of Murano Glass Make the Best Gifts?

Venetian Themed Sculptures

What is a better gift than a Venetian-themed sculpture? They are beautiful and, especially if you have been to Venice, will remind you of those special moments. Even if you haven’t, they are an ideal gift because they conjure up feelings of romance. 

Another option is a glass gondola sculpture, a representation of the classic and famous Venetian boat used for transportation in the city until the 20th century. Murano Glass gondolas are often accented with gold and feature a gondolier and other Venetian symbols, offering a great way of mentally transporting yourself to Venice. Some even have romantic hearts on them. The Goldonian couples, two hearts on a stand, statues of embracing lovers, also make perfect gifts for lovers and newlyweds. 

Photo Frames

A glass photo frame is the ideal gift, especially if you are on a budget. Many Murano Glass photo frames are sold at very reasonable prices. Brightly colored, they stand out and are ideal for displaying a special wedding or honeymoon photo.

Venetian Mirrors

Venetian mirrors are more expensive but thoroughly worth the investment. They are diligently created and display the craftsmanship of the artisans and the history of Murano glass. They were first created in the sixteenth century and soon became symbols of status and class. The frames are often intricately decorated, and they have reflective surfaces that make any space look bigger and more sophisticated.

Decanter Sets

Murano glass decanter sets are superb wedding gifts as they are both functional and decorative. They are symbols of celebration and hospitality and are perfect for serving wine or cordials at special occasions. Murano glass decanter sets have been handcrafted by skilled artisans, turning them into pieces of art. 

Champagne Flutes

Champagne flutes are symbols of celebration, making them a perfect wedding gift. They are often sold in pairs, which the couple can use for future anniversaries and during other special occasions. They are elegant and sophisticated and, if taken care of properly, can be used for many years.

Cake Knives and Servers

Cake knives and servers make an ideal wedding gift – they can be used on the couple’s wedding day to cut the cake in style and then become an ideal wedding keepsake and memento. The beauty of Murano Glass cake knives and servers comes from their ornate handles and can be used for any celebration and last a lifetime. Just pick ones that have high-quality chrome-plated metal parts and make sure to wash them by hand and avoid any cleaning chemicals or abrasive dishwashing liquids, only use mild soap and warm water.

Vases and Bowls

Vases and centerpiece bowls symbolize focus on the home and bring out the beauty of fresh flowers, or fruit and flower arrangements, so they are perfect gifts for two people creating a new home together. Pick beautiful, vibrantly-colored vases in the decorative style and color scheme that the couple loves. Interesting design features such as layered sommerso appearance, or controlled bubbles throughout, add to the uniqueness and the recognition factor of Murano Glass vases.

Conclusion

Murano glass makes a perfect wedding gift. It has a long history behind it, brings out romantic connotations, and enhances any space. If you are looking for the ‘wow’ factor when choosing a wedding gift, you will do well choosing a special Murano Glass gift for the newlyweds.  

*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.