Asking your best friends and the special ladies in your and your fiancé’s family to be your bridesmaids is a monumental event. From this moment to the day you say, “I do” these are the women that will be by your side, planning every last detail, giving you every bit of advice, calming every nerve, and helping you celebrate every minute to the max. Falling short of showing them how very important they are, not only in your life but also throughout this huge milestone, would be a shame. To help ensure that doesn’t happen and your bridesmaids feel all the love and appreciation we know you feel for them, we’ve created this easy-to-follow Bridesmaid Gifts 101 list.
Will You Be My Bridesmaid?
Most brides-to-be send formal requests by mail, either in the form of sweet cards or creative packages. Bridesmaid invitations can play on the wedding’s location or theme, like seen below in this photograph by Aneta Mak. The invitation has been written on a scroll and there are accents of London—see the double-decker bus? Simple and sweet bridesmaid gifts at this stage are planners or notebooks to help keep track of the important dates and details up until the wedding.
While a phone call or text alone might do the trick, formal invitations are sure to make your bridesmaids feel special and put a smile on their faces.
Bridal Shower
Although a bridal shower is traditionally an opportunity for your loved ones to give you gifts, it’s also a nice time to say thank you to your bridesmaids. These bridesmaid gifts don’t have to be elaborate, they can be as simple as a thank you note and a box of macaroons. If your budget allows you to splurge, your bridal shower is the perfect moment to gift your bridesmaids a part of their wedding day ensemble. This could be the shoes or earrings they are going to wear.
Bridesmaid gifts that serve as one less expense are both practical and thoughtful. With all the expenses bridesmaids incur this gesture communicates that you appreciate the sacrifice they are making—both to their schedule and bank accounts!
Rehearsal Dinner or Wedding Day
Depending on the type of bridesmaid gifts you choose, and where your bridal party will be meeting for hair and makeup, either distribute gifts at the rehearsal dinner or the day of the wedding.
Typically brides-to-be choose bridesmaid gifts that the ladies will wear during beauty preparations. This can be robes, slippers, or a modern day favorite, kimonos. Colorful kimonos are perfect bridesmaid gifts since ladies will love having their hair and makeup done stress-free, and will happily take their trendy gift home.
(Side Note: Colorful kimonos also look amazing in photographs!)
