Bridesmaid/MOH Gifts

Kris10_NJ

What are you planning on giving your girls? Or what kind of gifts have you or friends received for being a BM/MOH that you've really liked? Trying to get some ideas together. TIA!

silver0319

My MOH(sister) is getting some custom stackable gold rings that she had originally asked for her bday.  My other 2 BMs both have Pandora bracelets, so I got them each a few charms that were meaningful but not wedding centered.  

For the first wedding I was in, we got a pre-wedding mani/pedi at a spa and some jewelry to wear for the wedding. The second wedding I was in, I received a designer watch.  Both were really thoughtful, but I like the watch the best and have gotten the most use out of it. 

JCbride2015

Shop for them as if it is their birthday.  Personal gifts for each BM will go over much better than anything matchy-matchy.

I haven't decided yet because my wedding is next year, but I'm assuming my sister will get some kind of jewelry, my BM who loves art will probably get tickets to a cultural event, my cousin in high school will probably get UGGs or trendy clothes, etc.  Whatever you would normally buy them for a present.

futuremrscrystal

I'm getting my bridesmaids Swarvoski necklaces and my MOH a Swarvoski necklace and matching bangle! I just ordered them yesterday they are having a sale for 30% off that ends on Sunday!
http://www.swarovski.com/Web_US/en/1082753/product/Nouba_Necklace.html

JCbride2015

@futuremrscrystal Those necklaces are cute!  But please remember if you expect the BMs to wear it at the wedding, it doesn't really count as their gift.  If you're asking them to wear it at the wedding, you should really also get them something personal.

Peaseblossom55

I plan to get my bridesmaids kate spade wristlets and then something else that different for each and more personalized.  My church requires shoulders be covered during the ceremony, since they picked strapless dresses I bought them their chiffon shawls to cover their shoulders during the church ceremony.

Megalega14

I went on eBay and bought Massage Envy giftcards for each girl (50 dollar value) spent about 40 per card. then I just saw a sale on Coach at Macys and got them each a Coach wristlet ! they were a little pricey (56 after tax each)  because I have 7 girls, but when you think of all the money they spend on hair, dress, makeup, shower, etc... i figured it was definitely worth it!

Jenn7778

I am paying for their hair and makeup the day of the wedding (because it is not cheap) as well as getting each of them a necklace.

While not technically their gift, I will also be getting them each a personalized hanger, personalized stemless wine glass and each will be getting a silk robe for getting ready.

Kris10_NJ

Wow, great ideas! Thanks ladies. @jennkurtz I was thinking of covering their hair/makeup too. Have you already told them you'll be covering that for them? I don't know how far in advance to tell them if I do... @megalega14 I had no idea you could buy gift cards on eBay...good to know @JCBride2014 thanks for the tip about the jewelry gift for the wedding. I guess you are right though, if you're giving them something you expect them to wear, it's not 100% a gift for them.

Jenn7778

@kris10_NJ I did already let them know I was going to be covering the hair and make-up.  We all had dinner and I let them know then that I know that the wedding is costing them a lot of money and that I did not want them to feel obligated to put out another $200 for their hair and make-up so that the day of beauty is on me.  They were all really appreciative and super excited.

Megalega14

@ Kris10_NJ, you can literally buy anything on ebay!! I get gift cards for everything! but if there is a place you want to go or something you want to do, ebay is the place to go!

michelle221

The Jewelry Box in Ridgewood has an amazing collection of gorgeous (but affordable) jewelry for your bridesmaids. They also carry stunning clutches and hair pieces. Ask for Diane. She will give you 20% off if buying for your bridal party! It's truly a gem of a gift shop for ladies!

JxSWedding

Personalized Hangers

Silk Robes

Jewelry (earrings/necklaces)

Coach Wristlets

Haven't decided what to get my MOH yet

JoanE2012

JxSWedding said:

Personalized Hangers

Silk Robes

Jewelry (earrings/necklaces)

Coach Wristlets

Haven't decided what to get my MOH yet

Do they all like these things?  The most important thing to consider is to shop for them like it's their birthday.  It doesn't mean as much to me if I got the same gift as all the other BMs.....what matters is the bride took the time to shop for me and pick out things she thought I would like.

If you get them jewelry and are requiring them to wear it for the wedding, it's part of their "uniform", it's not really a gift.  If it's a piece that they aren't required to wear and it fits their taste, that's perfect.  

I'm not a fan of the personalized hanger.  I had one for myself and it's useless after the fact because the wire they use bends so easily.  It either gets used and will be ruined pretty quickly or sits in the back of your closet unused. 

I would not be a fan of a silk robe, especially if you are expecting me to wear it getting ready (again, then it really wouldn't be a gift).

I would LOVE the Coach wristlet!

JoanE2012

Kris10_NJ said:

What are you planning on giving your girls? Or what kind of gifts have you or friends received for being a BM/MOH that you've really liked? Trying to get some ideas together. TIA!

I like things that have thought behind them.  Show me you cared about me and shopped specifically for me.  I don't like generic gifts that are identical for every BM.  It makes me think you put no thought into it.   What would you get them for your birthday?

If I were a BM, I would love a hand written thank you paired with a bottle of wine or a nice cookbook or a gift certificate to my favorite salon.  Gifts don't have to be expensive or showy, just thoughtful.

Peaseblossom55

JxSWedding said:

Personalized Hangers

Silk Robes

Jewelry (earrings/necklaces)

Coach Wristlets

Haven't decided what to get my MOH yet

The worst bm gift I got was a monogrammed robe, I had to wear it for pictures the morning of.  It was a prop for pictures not a gift.  I plan to donate in my next cycle of clothes donations

JxSWedding

The robes/hangers/jewelry are more for my pictures.  Which is why I'm giving them each an additional coach wristlet and probably something personal.  It'd be pretty lame if I gave them all the same thing. 

majesty318

I am getting my girls Coach bags but they will all be different based on what each girl likes.

SewInLoveWithDMB

I got my girls ss Tiffany necklaces with their initials. Although I didn't "require" them to wear it the day of the wedding, they all did (and that made me happy) and I have seen each of them wear it since.

So, it was a "uniform" item, but I liked to think that it was nice and classic enough that was something they would still all wear anyway and consider a "decent" gift. If not, oh well - at least I tried.  They were not inexpensive, and I had 5 bridesmaids/2 MOHs.  

For the 2 MOHs, I got them an additional handmade dish on etsy with their names. 

I had a total of 7 flower girls and ring bearers, and I got them custom ornaments with their names, the date, and the title of their role (flower girl or ring bearer) with a drawing of a girl/boy that was customized to look like them, along with a gift card for about $20 (don't remember) to Toys R Us. For them, I wanted them to pick out something they liked, and have a "keepsake" item as well for when they get older.

Having been in weddings, I have mostly received costume jewelry to wear the day of (faux pearl bracelet, an earrings/bracelet set by Carolee jewelry that I actually do like, faux pashmina scarves, etc.) I would never use a wristlet - in fact, I have 3 Coach wristlets that I have never used. (And reading above, I should sell them on ebay!)

It really depends on your budget, what you normally give each other as gifts, and what they like. As mentioned, robes for props and scarves to cover shoulders in the church are not true gifts. (Actually, the day before our wedding, my MOH bought all of the girls scarves in case it was cold since it was in October, but it ended up being in the 70s.) She didn't want me to reimburse her, and everyone got a scarf, but it wasn't their only "gift." Plus, we didn't even use them.

Think of your friends and what you think they would like.

littlekik

I bought mine earrings and bracelets...and silver clutches.  The clutches are really cute and match their dress but most importantly is something they could use anytime they went out.  I'm going to put a personal note to each of them inside of the clutch.