Stylish Bridal Shower Gifts

To help the bride-to-be cherish memories from her special day, go for simple elegance from the name in bridal design. Vera Wang carries an impressive selection of glass, silver and china gifts and accessories, but we love her 8X10 silver Love Knots picture frame with its delicate bow detail—perfect for the new couple's treasured wedding portrait.

Check online directory of stores carrying Vera Wang gifts. 8X10 frame $100.

As any former bride or bridesmaid knows, a wedding day disaster—a drooping up do, coffee stain, torn hem, lost earring back, forgotten wedding bands (!)—will turn even the most serene bride frantic. Ms. & Mrs., a mother-daughter owned company, understands this too, and have come up with a most practical remedy: A Wedding Day Survival Kit, with 30 must-have emergency items, such as dental floss, stain remover, safety-pins, a sewing kit, hair spray, double-sided tape, tampons, earring backs, and, yes, even back-up faux wedding bands, all neatly organized in a cloth-lined silver metal attaché case. Perhaps most important are the breath mints! If you want to get creative, you can easily put together your own emergency kit, and give it a more fashionable twist by choosing a classic cosmetics bag like Henri Bendel's signature train case in chocolate and white stripes with pink trim. In addition to filling it with all the basics—most items are available at any local drug store; do an online search for "wedding day emergency kit" and you'll find tons of ideas for what to include—you can personalize it by adding things like a CD of the bride's favorite tunes to listen to while she's getting ready.

Mr. & Mrs. Wedding Day Survival Kit $49.

Henri Bendel train case $65.

These days most brides, and, we hope, grooms, have already spent some time in the kitchen, but, if they're like most of us with hectic schedules, they probably stick to simple recipes using basic ingredients. Help “spice up” a new marriage early on with one of TSP Spices handy, all-organic spice kits, ranging from basic herb to kitchen staples to sweeter flavorings. Each pre-measured packet of pure, organic spice is a dose of dense flavor without the fuss, and they're all free of the salt, fillers and stabilizing agents found in most spice brands, such as McCormick's salt-loaded blends. TSP's seasonings are packaged individually, rather than pre-blended, so that creative foodies can try their hand at coming up with tasty combinations. Beyond being high-quality and practical, the spices come in sleekly designed tins, great for easy storage and elegant enough to display on countertops, reducing cupboard clutter. The Basics kit contains six types of spices, with 12 pre-measured single teaspoon packets per flavor. So next time a recipe calls for turmeric or coriander, the newlyweds we'll have all they need for a romantic dinner at home. Sold online or in select stores throughout the United States, including Sur La Table, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. TSP will soon be available in the UK at Harrods and select gourmet food shops. See their Website for stockists.

Basics kit $42.

Something about the simplicity of these monogrammed lingerie bags from Southern-based Leontine Linens brings to mind the graceful days of trousseaus. The bride can use the demure, envelope-like bags on her honeymoon for packing all the slinky items she's sure to receive at the shower, and they will keep her from blushing if airport security starts rummaging through her suitcase. Have a set embroidered with the new initials of the bride-to-be (or her existing initials if she's not changing her name, natch. Be sure to ask!). Each set comes with three satin bags, available in a range of colors, from classic silvers and blues to bride-with-attitude hot pink, and you can choose from several classic monogram styles.

From $275.

In-store and phone orders only. Shipping throughout US; consult for international shipping.

In addition to the New Orleans shop, Leontine has a second boutique in Atlanta:

425 Peachtree Hills Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30305.

+1 404 869 3435

Candles may not sound like the most original shower gift, but make no mistake—these thoughtfully designed soy-blend candles from fine fragrance importer LAFCO New York's House & Home Collection are something special. Encased in hand blown glass, each candle is subtly scented to match the ambiance of a different part of the house—Cilantro Orange for the kitchen, Fresh Cut Gardenia for the Living room—packaged in a decorative box, and labeled with its corresponding room. Start the bride-to-be off with a cassis-scented Boudoir Myrrh Classics candle in sultry black glass, or the Master Bedroom's soothing Chamomile Lavender in creamy white. Lafco's website offers a clever “Fragrance Floorplan” with a color coordinated list of room and scent match ups. Available online and at LAFCO's boutique in SoHo, New York.

$52 each.

If the bride-to-be is planning to change her surname, help her make a statement with a delicately monogrammed gold pendent from jewelry designer Frederique Dessemond. The French-born artist opened her boutique Ginette_NY in 2001, and sells a gorgeous assortment of precious metal and stone designs. Opt for her Lace Monogram Pendent in yellow, rose, white or black gold, on a 16-inch matching gold cable chain. Fashioned after calligraphy lettering, the initials are carefully cut into one of three sized pendants (3/4 inch, 1 inch and 1.5 inch). Choose a smaller one for a more refined look, but gals with big personalities might love the larger pieces. Available at Dessemond's New York boutique or by phone order. Takes up to six weeks to complete custom orders.

From $490.