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Picture the scene: you’re just about to glide down the aisle on what is likely to be one of the biggest and best days of your life, but before you do, some of your nearest and dearest gal pals take the lead and light the way. Bridesmaids play a vital part in your wedding day, so it only seems right to celebrate their commitment to you with a token gift of some sort.
That said, what are the rules when it comes to giving gifts to bridesmaids? Do you buy them all the same gift? Or should they be unique to each individual? Do you even have to give your bridesmaids gifts at all?
There are so many questions to ask when it comes to bridesmaid gift giving etiquette, which is why deciding what to buy your bridesmaids can leave you feeling perplexed - especially when you know you want to get them something, but you have no idea what or when.
We wanted to lend a helping hand in finding the perfect gift, as well as let you know what the do’s and don’ts of bridesmaid gift giving really are.
Do Brides Give Gifts to Bridesmaids?
A simple question but one that every bride will likely ask themselves. In short the answer is yes, although there’s no set rule that you should.
Traditionally, a bride would give two gifts to their bridesmaids - one when being asked if they’ll be a part of the big day and then a second gift to say thank you for joining them. Typically, the second gift would be given closer to or on the big day.
Does the Maid of Honour Get a Special Gift?
Your Maid of Honour is usually the one that will take the lead when it comes to organising things such as the hen party, and will be the voice of reason when you start to lose your head over whether you want bows on your chair covers or not. It’s understandable then, that you might want to get them something extra special.
There is however no rule to say you should do this; it’s entirely up to you. If budget allows and you’d prefer to be a little more extravagant when it comes to the gift you give your favourite wingwoman, then go for it!
When to Give Bridesmaids Gifts
Knowing when to give your bridesmaids their gifts can be tricky. If you’re going to give a token gift when you “propose” to them, that’s self-explanatory, but deciding when to give the second gift might require a little more thought. Here’s our suggestions for perfect timing.
A few days before your big day
It’s not unusual for a bride to have a hen party shortly before the wedding. Typically, this will be organised by her bridesmaids and most often all of the bridesmaids will be there too. This gives the bride the perfect opportunity to hand out gifts. It’s also ideal if the gift is something you’d like your bridesmaids to wear or use on the big day, as it gives them appropriate time to prepare.
At the rehearsal dinner
If your wedding is set to be a grand affair, it’s likely you’ll have a rehearsal dinner. Again, all of your bridesmaids will probably be in attendance, so it gives you the chance to show them how much you appreciate them en masse. You might even want to write a short speech to celebrate each individual when you present the gifts, making the occasion extra special for all involved.
Reserving the presentation of the gifts until the end of the meal before the other guests depart means your bridesmaids are free to focus their attention on the soon to be newlyweds, without having to worry about keeping the gifts safe for the duration of the dinner.
Again, if the gift is something you’d like them to wear or use on the big day, this is another great chance to make sure everything is sorted and in place beforehand.
On your wedding day
This is slightly less common, but in some cases brides will choose to give bridesmaid gifts on the actual day of the wedding. If the ceremony and reception take place later in the day, there’s often a bridal brunch or luncheon beforehand, and this can be a convenient time to present the gifts.
If you have bridesmaids who are arriving the night before the wedding, or even on the day, this also might be a good time to give your gifts as again, it means the whole bridal party will be together. If possible, it’s best to give all your gifts at once. Sometimes it’s unavoidable to give the gifts separately, but it may lessen the sentiment if one or several of your bridesmaids receive their gifts long after the others.
Do Bridesmaids Give Gifts to Brides?
Traditionally, bridesmaids would buy a wedding gift for the couple; not specifically for the bride. However, bridesmaids may wish to buy a separate gift for the bride if a wedding shower has been organised, for example.
That said, all gifts are at the discretion of the bridesmaids, so it might be that they choose to only buy a gift for the newlyweds if funds are a little low.
How Much Should You Spend on a Bridesmaid Gift?
This is a difficult one to answer as it really does come down to what you can afford. Other, larger expenses will take precedence, so finding the perfect bridesmaid gift that’s also within budget can be a challenge. The general rule of thumb is to spend roughly 10% of the total cost of each bridesmaid when you consider the outfit, transport and other costs. That said, it shouldn’t be about cost, but about finding the perfect gift for your bridesmaids.
Bridesmaid Gifts on a Budget
Talking of budget, keeping costs down wherever you can means you won’t have to overstretch yourself financially. You can rest assured that everything is taken care of down to the smallest detail, including any bridesmaid gifts you’d like to buy.
But what sort of things could you buy for your bridesmaids that aren’t going to cost a fortune, but will be treasured for years to come?
Here are some of our favourites, just in case you’re in need of a little inspiration:
A pretty robe - Everyone loves getting snuggly in their PJ’s, right? If you’re having a summer wedding, a delicate patterned robe is perfect for the ladies in your life who enjoy a bit of downtime. They’ll be able to wear the robe every day, reminding them of your special bond. Usually, the bride and bridesmaids will get ready together on the big day, so the robes could also make a great addition to photos taken on the morning of your wedding.
Jewellery - A real keepsake, jewellery doesn’t have to cost a fortune, nor does it have to be generic. Handmade pieces can be a great way to put your own stamp on your bridesmaid gifts and could even be personalised to make it extra special. Websites such as Etsy are a great place to start for personalised bridesmaid jewellery.
A pamper set - After the stresses of helping you organise the wedding, you might want your bridesmaids to take a little “me” time. Treating them to a luscious pamper set could be a great way to say thank you and let them know just how much you care about them and their wellbeing.
A Pashmina - If you’re having a winter wedding, you need to keep your bridesmaids warm. A Pashmina scarf can not only look great as a shoulder wrap on your big day, but it’s a practical gift that can be used in the future, too.
A candle - A simple yet delightful way to say thank you to your bridesmaids, candles are bound to be a winner with everyone.
A personalised print - A personalised print that commemorates your day and celebrates your besties is something they’ll be able to look back on, to relive all those magical moments you shared.
We hope you’ve found our bridesmaid gift giving guide useful. Showing your girl squad just how much they mean to you will always be a hard task and making sure you get it absolutely right can be tough, but we’re pretty sure no matter what you decide to buy or how you choose to present it, they’ll love it just as much as they love you!