The thought is to give a Gaggia Classic plus a grinder as a good entry level home espresso set up.
The Gaggia Classic seems to be the consensus first time, inexpensive, espresso machine.

What should we get as a good, but cheap, grinder?
I thought of the LeLit PL53 at $269
http://www.1st-line.com/machines/home_mod/lelit/PL53.htm

or the Baratza Virtuoso around $200.

What would you suggest?
Is there anything that is good enough in the $200 - $250 price range that is good enough?

What's the budget?

I have this set-up and am really happy with a Preciso and I like the ability to grind for drip and press. The reason I mention the budget is because I was able to get what I consider a good deal on a new Classic because Aabree has 20% coupon off all Gaggia machines still going on, 'rainy20.' So perhaps this could put you under your budget and allow you to get a Preciso instead.

BTW Why weren't you invited to my wedding?

Is this a wedding gift for regular people or for espresso lovers?

A Gaggia and Lelit are a nice gift for espresso lovers; but could result in door slammed in your face if gifted to regular people. People into food and wine might appreciate the Baratza along with a handsome vacuum brewer, since these would reward good coffee and patience, without punishing them through the six month learning curve. If they are neither espresso lovers nor budding gourmets, a nespresso or super auto might work best.

I am invited to the wedding.
The budget is probably around $600 total. But there is some flexibility.

Intrepid510 wrote:What's the budget?

.....

BTW Why weren't you invited to my wedding?

They are potentially apprentice espresso lovers. They live in Seattle.
They put a $400 espresso machine on their wedding registry. But, it was not a very good one. They had no grinder on their registry.

Some of us, who are more knowledgable, are trying to chip in and put together a better more appropriate package.

I was thinking about a Nespresso. But, I have never tasted the output of one of them. They say they want to do cappuccinos. Is there a viable Nespresso model that you could recommend? The Gaggia Classic also takes pods. I thought they could start out with those and then if they want to progress, go their neighborhood Seattle supermarket or espresso joint and get some good beans.

another_jim wrote:Is this a wedding gift for regular people or for espresso lovers?

A Gaggia and Lelit are a nice gift for espresso lovers; but could result in door slammed in your face if gifted to regular people. People into food and wine might appreciate the Baratza along with a handsome vacuum brewer, since these would reward good coffee and patience, without punishing them through the six month learning curve. If they are neither espresso lovers nor budding gourmets, a nespresso or super auto might work best.

I love making espresso, even if Dan and Jim think what I make is swill, because I use old hand grinders and antiquated lever machines. Therefore, if I were getting married now (which would not be legal in most states), I would prefer the espresso setup you've proposed over anything but a more expensive setup. I would be completely dissappointed with a drip or vacuum setup. I've known a number of people who were (and some who still are) perfectly satisfied with the entry-level equipment you've proposed.

I started my coffee journey with the Classic. For ages I only got crud out of it until I learned the grinder is more important than the machine. Gaggia is good. Go the extra for the grinder and when they get divorced you're in with a chance to get the stuff back cheap.

Any more suggestions for a good, inexpensive grinder as a present?

I don't think anyone is saying that the combo of a Classic + entry level grinder will make swill, more that anyone new to espresso is going to need some practice to start getting good results. If they put a $400 espresso machine on their registry that's a good sign that they might be interested in learning how to make good espresso (although I know a lot of people who just put anything that looks neat on their registry.)

I think the combo of a Classic + PL53 is pretty good entry point for anyone that wants to learn to make espresso. The next step up from the PL53 is probably a Baratza Vario at $400ish, and there really isn't a step down. A Baratza Preciso is probably comparable to the PL53, but I haven't seen much in the way of reviews.

A subscription to some good coffee would probably go a long way to helping get the most out of the new equipment, nothing is more frustrating than trying to make espresso with stale beans.