One of the most useful wedding gifts we got was a good set of stainless steel mixing bowls. Stainless steel roasting pan is nice too.

Vases are good as gifts because people need more than one.

Steak knives, wine glasses?

Whatever you give, provide a gift receipt so it can be returned or exchanged if necessary.

As for cash, as you can see from a glance through these boards, in some communities, especially in the northeast, cash is by far the most common gift. In others, especially some in the south, cash is considered too impersonal. Individual circumstances can make cash a good or bad choice, too, irrespective of community customs. So we can't tell you whether it is a good choice for this wedding.

I hope that you will find something that you like.

second, see if you can find or make a signature picture frame. it's an ovesized (11x14 or so) with an 8x10 space for photo. you sign the white matting in lieu of a guest book. our tax lady had one hanging in her lr. she says it's wonderful reminder of a wonderful day...i found one at tj maxx, for a fraction of the price online. my dil to be actually LOVED it (and she's becoming a bridezilla, lol...)

Bcs then the bride will feel obligated to use it, but she only gets one wedding-cake topper in her life, and maybe she has one in mind already.

Ditto for bridal jewelry--every bride I've known wants to pick her own, or her fiance is going to give her something as a wedding present. Unless you're really, really close to her, butt out of the "wedding-day equipment" category. And even thn, i would still vote to leave those decisions in her hands.