Being the perfect bridesmaid is a tough gig, from helping the nervous bride choose a colour scheme (and theme) to hunting down the right caterer and being a shoulder to cry on when the bride’s feeling overwhelmed. After all, a great bridesmaid needs to be part-project manager, part-therapist and part-stylist. So, how to thank them?
“Bridesmaids and maids-of-honour have a huge task ensuring the lead-up of the bride’s special day runs smoothly, so when the day comes, it is exactly what the bride imagined and more,” explains Tessa Boehm, founder of Cherish Her Kiss, which specialises in luxurious personalised dress robes, many of which end up on bridesmaids – and in many a pre-wedding photo shoot!
It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of organising what is probably the biggest day of your life, but it’s of the utmost importance that you remember to show your appreciation for your bridesmaids. Here are seven great ways to thank them for all their help.
Get sweaty
Whether you’re looking to undertake bridal bootcamp or simply have some fun while working up a sweat, taking up a dance class or group fitness is a great way for you and your girls to bond on a weekly basis.
“You can tailor this in many ways to suit your bridal party. For the super fit groups, an idea would be to participate in a bootcamp-style program or do regultire and circuit training,” says Tessa. “You could also try fun classes such as pilates, yoga, pump or zumba.”
Not a fan of the gym? There are heaps of fun dance classes you can take up, from feather fan dancing, burlesque, go-go dancing or even a twerking workshop.
“It’s a great way to participate in some fun cardio and have a laugh at the same time.”
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Give them a glamorous gift
Offering your bridesmaids a beautiful ‘thank you’ gift that they can enjoy for years to come is a great idea. Tessa says Cherish Her Kiss robes are hugely popular with brides looking for memorable gifts, as well as personalised presents for her bridesmaids.
Alternatively, she adds, the robes also make gorgeous ‘Will you be my bridesmaid?’ gift that you can offer your girlfriends.
“Robes are a great gift idea from the bride to show her bridal party her appreciation,” says Tessa. “Team it with lipstick, some earrings and a mini perfume and you have the perfect gift for each of the bridesmaids on the day.”
Your girlfriends can wear their matching robes during a spa day together or when they get ready on the wedding day, and they look glamorous in any photography and video footage which may be captured on the day, too.
Available in a plush velvet or slinky satin, Cherish Her Kiss robes can also be personalised as a thoughtful finishing touch. In fact, they have even been worn by contestants in several elite beauty pageants, including Miss Universe Australia and Miss World Australia.
“So, if it’s good enough for a beauty queen,” adds Tessa, “your bridesmaids will love you for your glamorous ‘thank you’ gift.”
Other great gift ideas include personalised champagne glasses, engraved jewellery, or beautiful candles.
Do good
So, you’ve picked your bridesmaids (and they’ve all happily accepted their roles) and it’s time start planning. Why not combine one of your pow-wows with a great charity, such as The Cancer Council’s Girls Night In?
At a Girls Night In, instead of going out to a bar or the movies, ladies are encouraged to have a great night at home with their mates and donate the money they would normally spend on a night out to the Cancer Council.
“This is the a great idea to get the girls tourer and start planning wedding ideas, with the added benefit of raising funds to help beat women’s cancers such as breast and gynaecological cancers,” explains Tessa.
Fundraising for breast cancer in particular is something close to Tessa’s heart, who lost her mother at the age of 21 to the disease and was even inspired by the breast cancer pink ribbon when she designed the Cherish Her Kiss logo, which spells out the company’s name in beautiful pink ribbons, which have come to represent support for the cause.
Go on a wine tour or tasting
Choosing the right beverages for your wedding is a tough job and a girl needs her best ladies with her to help make such all-important decisions.
Rounding up your team of bridesmaids and going on a wine tour or tasting is the perfect way to have some fun while also being productive.
“This could be your ticket to an extra day of pre-wedding shenanigans and what better excuse than to blame it on the girls helping you choose wines for the wedding? Don’t forget to bring the camera as wine tours will create some interesting memories,” says Tessa.
Don’t make it all about you
While your wedding is a big deal, don’t forget to take a step back and simply hang out with your bridesmaids without talking about the logistics of caterers, photographers and floral arrangements.
In fact, if your bridesmaids don’t know each other very well, it’s a good idea to take them out for a drink or a movie so they can get acquainted and have fun without the pressure of the wedding on their shoulders.
Get pampered
In the weeks leading up to your wedding, certain things need to be ticked off your beauty to-do list, such as waxing, tanning, any last-minute hair colouring, facials or manicures and pedicures.
Gather up your girls and turn your treatments into a day of pampering. It’s a great time for everyone to enjoy a relaxing facial and massage to de-stress before the big day and afterwards, you could even throw on a pretty outfit and head out for a leisurely lunch or high tea.
Don’t forget to say ‘thank you’
Lastly, whether or not you take your girls out to a fancy spa or buy them luxurious gifts, make sure you remember to thank them for all their work and support – and thank them often.
A handwritten ‘thank you’ note would be greatly appreciated and the rehearsal dinner is a wonderful time and place to publicly acknowledge all their help along the way.
“Bridesmaids are a the backbone of any wedding,” says Tessa, “and they’re the ones that keep the bride going – and smiling – throughout her big day, so it’s always nice to show them a little love and, of course, just to say ‘thank you!”
