Buying your bridesmaids a gift to show your thanks for their contribution to your wedding has become common practise in recent years. The type of gift you give will depend very much on the age of your bridesmaids, the number you have, and the size of your wedding budget. Here are a few pointers to help you out when choosing your bridesmaids thank you gifts.
Gifts for young bridesmaids or flower girls
If you have young bridesmaids or flower girls, you could consider a small trinket to remind them of your wedding day. This could be anything from a piece of jewellery to wear with their bridesmaid outfit, to a teddy bear or doll. Another good idea is to present them with a framed picture of them in their bridesmaid or flower girl dress after the wedding. You can make a gift for young bridesmaids extra special by having it engraved or embroidered with their name, the wedding date and a short message of thanks.
Gifts for adult bridesmaids
If you have a maid of honour, or other adult bridesmaids, they will probably have contributed more to your wedding than just their activities on the day itself. They may have joined you in shopping for your wedding gown, organised your hen party, or even taken responsibility for organising certain aspects of the wedding itself. They have probably spent countless hours on the phone with you discussing your wedding issues and dilemmas. For all of these reasons, they will deserve a thoughtful thank you gift.
Again, a piece of good quality jewellery to complement their bridesmaids outfit is a great choice. Other possibilities include perfume or exclusive toiletries, a jewellery box, or a handbag or purse to use with their wedding outfit. If you can afford it, an experience gift, such as a day at a spa or tickets to a show can really show your appreciation for all their hard work.
When to give your bridesmaids their gifts
There is no hard and fast rule about when to give your bridesmaids their gifts; it depends greatly on what you are giving. If you choose something to complement their outfits such as jewellery or other accessories, you will want to give the gift before the wedding, possibly at the last dress fitting or on the morning of the wedding at the latest.
The morning of the wedding, when you are getting ready with your bridesmaids, is a great time to give your gifts, whatever they are. If you do choose this time, make sure your bridesmaids have somewhere to keep their gifts safe so they don’t have to take them to the ceremony unless they are wearing them.
If you are giving flowers or a photograph of the bridesmaid, you can give these after the wedding day. Try to get someone else to organise this for you so that the bridesmaids don’t have to wait until you are back from your honeymoon to receive their gifts.
