Money is often a good choice for an Italian wedding gift.
Italian wedding customs, including gift-giving, are an important part of Italian culture. Tradition has it that many wedding customs throughout the world originated in Italy, such as the engagement diamond ring and the wearing of the bridal veil. Gift-giving, especially gifts for the families of the wedding couple, typically follows traditional rules.

Gifts to the Families

• Gifts to the families of the bride and groom come first in an Italian wedding. This is the chance for non-relatives to repay all the favors they have received from the respective families, almost always with money--and it is obligatory. In fact, a table is set up especially for this at the wedding reception in sight of witnesses, and each gift, its value and the giver are carefully noted in writing.

These gifts for the families are given before any gifts to the bride or groom.
As part of the wedding gift-giving, the bride's family gives the bride one year's worth of clothing, accessories and linens as dowry.
Gifts to the Bride and Groom

• Traditionally the witnesses to the wedding give the bride and groom the costliest gifts. Wedding lists in various shops and boutiques provide suggestions, not only for the witnesses but also for the non-relatives.

A new trend currently in vogue is a wedding list in a travel agency. Guests can offer money toward a honeymoon or other vacation, a dinner in a romantic restaurant, or a theater production, sports event or show.
Money is also a traditional gift for the bride. She walks around the reception with a small satin borsa or purse for the purpose of receiving monetary gifts from her guests.
Tangible gifts for the bride and groom remain unopened even after the honeymoon. Usually these are opened by the families.

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Gifts Made in Italy

• Gifts made in Italy are also given at Italian weddings. Fine Italian ceramics, Italian wall plaques or vintage prints, Italian dinnerware or wall clocks, and Italian books or music are some of the choices available.

Sicilian goblets, carafes, glasses and mugs also make good wedding gifts.
Fine Italian wine, especially wine of a remarkably good year, is much prized and is widely given at Italian weddings.
Murano glass, worked by artisans in Venice, Tuscan terracotta or the popular ceramics of Vietri al Mare also make good wedding gifts.