Not using "gifts" intended for wedding

I think that's kind of the risk that is inherent in purchasing something that is really meaningful without the recipient's input. I'm sure they meant well but it strikes me as presumptuous to purchase an item like that for another couple.
It is something that could be used on a bridal shower cake? That might be an easy way to use it in some fashion. If not, I think just saying you really appreciate the gesture but you just fell in love with another idea.

Is it something you can stick into the decor? Like in a vase on a mantle or on your sweetheart table?

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I'm not having a bridal shower (I'd rather put that cake topper on every Thanksgiving pie for the rest of my life than be subjected to a bridal shower). I also don't actually like cake, so that's part of why I don't see us using it ever. We weren't even going to have a wedding cake but our caterer apparently makes amazing cakes and will make us a small cutting cake to go along with our individual desserts (so the cake topper would be pretty oversized for a small cutting cake anyway). I liked the idea of having that, "let's cut a cake together" moment because we aren't doing a lot of other wedding traditions.

Our friends are super chill and I'm pretty sure they will not care at all, so I'm not sure why I'm even thinking about it, I just don't want to be blindsided at the wedding and I do want them to know we appreciate the gift. Even though I don't like cake it was a really thoughtful topper because its a couple hiking with their dog which is so us!

View Quoted Comment Haha about the bridal shower! I hear you.
It sounds really cute! They likely wont bring it up, if they do just let them know it was so special to have your engagement recognized in such a personalized way and leave it at that. I'm sure it will be fine.

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I'm just not going to worry about it - not even sure why I brought it up! They're really relaxed people and probably won't care one bit. One of the reasons I don't want to use it (aside from not liking cake) is because it doesn't go with our decor/vibe. We want our wedding to be light and bright and reminiscent of spring and nature. The cake topper is a silhouette of a couple hiking with a dog done in shiny black acrylic, so it's a bit too mod and dark, plus its like a skinny dude and a dog with a tail, and my FH is a bigger guy and our dog has no tail so it just kinda misses the mark. It's so sweet because the idea is really us but the implementation of the idea just... feels weird? I don't know how to describe it. Obviously they didn't have it custom made for us or anything, just saw it and thought it was cute. The first thing we said when we saw it is "maybe we can cut off the tail" because it just wasn't our Winston! They did also send us a bandana for our dog that says "My Humans Are Getting Married" and we did a little photo shoot with our dog wearing it and sent a photo to them, so they do know we appreciated them thinking of us.

What does if look like? Is it something that you can at least use at the bridal shower, either on the cake or just as a piece of decor on the cake table, gift table or elsewhere.

I think sometimes people just buy gifts like that because they want do show you they’re excitement and congratulate you on a special moment. It could be something they came across for $5 and figured “hey if they use it cool, if not, whatever!” I wouldn’t think much about it.

I think it would be cute if you were having a bridal shower with a cake to use it for that. But no, I don't think you need to use it for your wedding. I think it's a bit odd that they would decide to choose the cake topper for you, but maybe they were just being cute and in no way expected you to use it on your big day.

OP Here: I'm not using it and not worried about it. I wish Wedding Wire would allow you to close or delete discussions you started. Sorry to waste anyone's time!