Skip to main content
ARE YOU A VENDOR?

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Callie
Just Said Yes August 2018

Bridesmaid Gift Ideas/etiquette

Callie, on February 8, 2018 at 1:32 PM Posted in Do It Yourself 0 18
Saved
Reply
Hi all! I am browsing for ideas on decent bridesmaid gift ideas. Our wedding is out of state for all except for 1 of my 5 bridesmaids, so most will have to fly or drive to the wedding, plus spend $ on whatever dress they choose, hotel costs, transportation, if they choose to purchase a bridal/wedding gift, etc. I know my dear friends will be spending a lot of $ that they don't necessarily have in order to be able to be there to celebrate the wedding day with me, so I want to make sure I get them something really nice to show my love and appreciation. I do not know what an appropriate rule of thumb is for how much to spend on gifts when you are on a budget. I have already started planning one gift. I got the idea from Pinterest to make them all "Bridesmaid Survival Kits," so I have ordered makeup bags with their names on it and I plan on finding out what their favorite things are, like favorite candy, lip gloss, favorite essential purse item, etc. I've attached a picture of sort of what I'm thinking of doing. I had planned on gifting them these the morning of the wedding, just something small and fun to make them all smile.I also feel like I should get them all a small piece of rose gold jewelry (the jewelry I'll be wearing is rose gold, their dresses are a sage green color, so it would match & be very pretty!) but I am not sure if I should get them all a necklace, bracelet, etc. I am skipping the idea of earrings because I don't know what their sensitivities are to certain metals. If anybody has any thoughts or advice/rule of thumb, I would leave to hear/read some of them! Smiley smile Here is what I was thinking of emulating for their survival kits as far as what to put in them. The bags I ordered will have their names on them and are roughly 5x7:

Bridesmaid Survival Kit DIY ExampleBridesmaid Gift Ideas/etiquette 1


I don't know what kind of jewelry to get them. Since the wedding isn't until summer, I figured I could wait until we go up to NC a few days prior before the wedding and find a cute little necklace or something that I could give to them during the rehearsal dinner. That way they'd get a serious gift the night before, and a fun little gift that they could reuse the day of.


Would love to hear opinions or advice on this idea, as well as what's an appropriate amount to spend on each. I would also be waiting until the week of the wedding to purchase the stuff for their custom makeup bags, that way I can go to a dollar store or something and get stuff for cheap!


Thanks!


-C

18 Comments

Latest activity by younglady, on February 18, 2018 at 4:35 PM
  • L
    Expert June 2018
    LeeAnne ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Rule of thumb on here is anything worn for the wedding is not considered a gift so you probably going to hear that over & over just to worn ya! Really i would do something more personal for a second gift something they love. Thats different for each one of them if that makes sense?
    • Reply
  • RZ_ToBe
    Master July 2018
    RZ_ToBe ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    You'll get a string of replies saying jewelry is not a gift, but a prop. Just a heads up!

    Jewelry IS a nice gift though and your emergency kit is really cute. For jewelry, I'd stick to necklaces since they're easier to find and have better chances of being worn.

    Everyone has a different budget for their parties. I spent about $100 per person, but that doesn't mean you have to. There's $15 that are just as meaningful. I think what you're doing is very thoughtful, but definitely don't use the jewelry as a prop unless they decide to use it themselves.
    • Reply
  • T2018
    Devoted April 2018
    T2018 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I would skip the jewelry and get them each something that matches their personal taste or interests. I shopped for each BM like it was their birthday. I also love the bridesmaid survival kit, super cute!

    • Reply
  • Kaylyn
    Super May 2019
    Kaylyn ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I think the survival kit idea is cute, it’s something I would totally go for. As for jewelry I would probably say necklace, just because I think they’re more comfortable.
    As for the amount to spend, it’s really up to you. I’m getting my bridespeople stemless wine glasses (we all drink), different candles (I picked a different scent they’d each go for), and then a couple small things that each cater to them (like spa things for one, gym things for another, and art supplies for the last).
    • Reply
  • M
    Dedicated June 2017
    Monica ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I gave my bridesmaids a massage from Massage Luxe. In my case, they are all busy mom's and appreciated that SO much! I had one at the same time the day before the wedding, it worked out great!

    • Reply
  • M
    Beginner September 2018
    Molly ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I like the survival kit. But something I received as a bridesmaid gift was a gift card to the place we were getting our hair and makeup done. This was one of the best bridesmaid gifts I could have imagined! We also got a necklace to wear for the wedding, but the additional gift card really helped out towards costs, since they can so easily pile up. Smiley winking

    • Reply
  • Callie
    Just Said Yes August 2018
    Callie ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    That's a good idea! All of my bridesmaids except for me do their own makeup, and 3 of the 5 of us have short pixies so I'm not sure if the long haired ladies were wanting their hair done in a specific way or not, but I will keep that as an option to consider! Smiley winking


    • Reply
  • Kiersten
    Expert February 2018
    Kiersten ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I did a watch and necklace set from my jeweler for my girls. About a $150-200 each. Before my head gets ripped off in the forums, this is NOT jewelry that I expect or want them to wear in the wedding.

    WW forums refuse to acknowledge wedding related gifts as gifts. Luckily for me, my group isn't the type to demand gifts in addition to other freebies. I am covering the costs of dresses, suits, tailoring, MUA, partial hotel/travel, meals etc and my group was thrilled with that so I know they'll be stoked for the additional gift of jewelry.
    • Reply
  • Erin
    Just Said Yes October 2019
    Erin ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    As a bridesmaid x3…the best gifts I got were the bride offering to pay for either our hair or our makeup (in addition to other gifts). I’ve also received jewelry which I also loved but I only wear them on special occasions as I’m not someone who wears jewelry everyday. This jewelry was a gift personalized to each of our personalities, not jewelry for the wedding.

    • Reply
  • PBiazinha
    VIP May 2018
    PBiazinha ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    From all weddings I was part of, the only gift I got and I can remember and still use is a weekender bag with my initials on it. It is nice and the material is very resistant, it's been traveling with me all over the place since 2015. All other gifts (about 4) I don't think I even know where they are or what they were to be honest.

    Make sure the jewelry is something they will use not only for your wedding. I also think it is a risky one as I am very picky with that stuff and don't like to receive as a gift except from VERY few people that really know my taste.

    The idea of finding out their favorite lipstick and all that sounds cool, what about finding out their cologne? something persona to each individual. Also gift cards are cool, some people think they are effortless but I rather pick out my own stuff Smiley smile so something little and a nice gift card is also something (I think) most people would appreciate.

    • Reply
  • P
    Master April 2018
    Powers2 ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I keep seeing these survival kits and to me they don't feel like gifts. Mints and coffee are not gifts. I think if you are concerned about these things, you can maybe make a communal toiletries box including all of these things and keep them in the bridal suite that your girls can access as needed.


    I much prefer jewelry as a gift, even if it is a "prop". All of my girls are also moms, so I am ordering them bracelets with their children's initials on them. They do not have to wear them at the wedding, they can if they want to obviously.

    Other ideas are spa gift card, salon gift card, restaurant gift card for their favorite spot.

    • Reply
  • C
    Just Said Yes December 2018
    Crystal ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I think if you really want to surprise them, I would suggest jewellery that they could wear during the wedding and even after. I came across a wedding magazine describing a necklace that you could print their name and even add your thank you note.

    See if it interest you: http://mag.preweddingshot.com/2018/02/blessingmoment-best-gift.html
    • Reply
  • muriel
    Champion June 2018
    muriel ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Jewelry can be considered a gift if it is something classic that they will wear over and over, like a pearl necklace, pearl studs, diamond studs, gold chain.

    What is not my idea of a gift is some cheap necklace from Charming Charlie's, etc that will break within the first few wearings.

    I suggest the best gift is a personal gift chosen for each BM's individual's taste/interests.

    • Reply
  • Tracy
    Super January 2019
    Tracy ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I'm getting them some jewelry (necklace and earrings) for the wedding, but also a hand made silver bangle with their name stamped on it.

    Favorite gifts I received as a bridesmaid were a freshwater pearl necklace and a small silver jewelry box with my initials engraved on top.


    • Reply
  • Will & Tiara
    Super September 2019
    Will & Tiara ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I have a planner/coordinator who will bringing all of that stuff including needle, thread, ladies' personal hygiene, make up, hankies and the like. I'm with Tracy - sweet, inexpensive freshwater pearls are always elegant and classic and they will use them again and again. Freshwater pearl jewelry

    Pearl necklace, bracelet and earring complete setBridesmaid Gift Ideas/etiquette 2


    • Reply
  • Will & Tiara
    Super September 2019
    Will & Tiara ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    Yep - best gift that lasts a long time!

    • Reply
  • D
    Beginner November 2019
    Dana ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    I'm doing something like this. I'm asking in a very simple way but then throughout the engagement I am planning on doing shirts and hangers as well as one thing unique to each girl (Alice in wonderland, penguins and flowers)

    • Reply
  • Y
    Beginner June 2018
    younglady ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Your suggestions of a necklace like Tourquoise. You should make sure they receive the same gift so no one feels slighted


    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×

Related articles

37 Unique "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?" Proposal Gift Ideas
Wedding Party 37 Unique "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?" Proposal Gift Ideas Bridesmaid proposal gifts are a fun way to recruit your crew, and we're sharing...
31 Anniversary Gift Ideas to Celebrate 10 Years of Marriage
Lifestyle 31 Anniversary Gift Ideas to Celebrate 10 Years of Marriage It's been a decade since the "I do"s—honor the occasion with these thoughtful...
The Indispensable Guide to Bridesmaid Gift Etiquette
Wedding Party The Indispensable Guide to Bridesmaid Gift Etiquette Not sure how much to spend on bridal party gifts? How about where to buy them?...
Read more articles
WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Learn more

Groups

Show more

WeddingWire article topics