Bridesmaids Gifts that your Gal Pals will Actually Use and Love

When it comes to bridesmaid gifts, forget the robes emblazoned with "Bridesmaid" on the back or the etched champagne glass. Your crew is there for you on your big day, but being a bridesmaid is not who they are. When choosing bridesmaid gifts, think of your support team as individuals, as if you were buying them a birthday present. You'll be sure to wow them and make them feel special. 

If you're getting ready together on wedding day, you can still consider items that they could use on on the day-of, like pajamas, cozy slippers, or jewelry. But avoid the matchy-matchy looks and choose different styles for different girls, thinking of their particular personalities. Check out the variety of options on Birdy Grey, where you can search by type of gift or color.

Practical gifts that your girl group will use again are always a great option. Add a personalized touch with monogrammed stationery, makeup pouch, weekender bag, or clutch from Minted.

Think of gifts that will pamper your ladies, long after the wedding weekend, like candles, bath bombs, and beauty essentials from Anthropologie.

Give yourself time to find the perfect gift for each girl by starting shopping at least two months before the big day or at least three months, if you're considering something custom or personalized. 

Give your gifts at a special bridesmaid luncheon or at the rehearsal dinner and get ready for the surprised smiles from your besties!

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The Bride and Groom Gift Giving Guide

Though you're the one getting married, you're not the only one who should receive gifts! There are several people to consider giving gifts to as a thank you for their participation in your wedding.

It has become customary to give gifts to your bridesmaids and groomsmen. For ladies, the gift could be a monogrammed tote bag or earrings they can wear with their bridesmaid dresses.  For gentlemen, an engraved business card holder or a subscription to a beer of the month club are appropriate gifts.  If you have program attendants or additional ushers, don't forget to include them.  The gifts can be given at a bridesmaids luncheon or rehearsal dinner the day before the wedding.

The joy of marriage may be gift enough for the happy bride, but jewelry is an added bonus!  Grooms, get brownie points by surprising your bride with a present before the wedding.  You can't go wrong with a bracelet or earrings that she can wear down the aisle.  Send a groomsmen or your wedding coordinator to the bridal suite on the day of the wedding to give the gift to your bride as she is getting dressed with her bridesmaids.  Not only will you impress the bride, but you'll get on the good side of all her best friends.   

Don't forget about your parents.  Particularly if your parents are helping to pay for the wedding, it is a nice gesture to give them a small token to say thank you.  A gift certificate for a nice restaurant, cuff links for your dad to wear with his tux, or tickets to the symphony are great parent gifts.  Present the gifts to each set of parents privately the day before the wedding.

Give back to your guests.  For out-of-town guests,  put together hospitality bags filled with snacks and tourist info that they will get when they check in to their hotel.  It is quite common to give guests a small memento to take home from the reception as a wedding favor.  Jordan almonds are a traditional wedding favor, but couples are getting creative, sending their guests home with luggage tags, coasters, flower seeds, and photobooth photos. Wedding favors can be displayed all together for guests to take as they leave the reception, or you can put a favor at each place setting.

Use your wedding as a chance to say thank you, not only for help preparing for the Big Day but also for years of friendship of support. A simple gift can convey the message.

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