Gifts for BM required even if you're providing the dresses?

meenamoo

Hi,
So I know you're supposed to traditionally give gifts to the BM and that anything they are given to wear the day of the wedding is not considered a gift. However, as is Indian cultural tradition, my parents will be paying for their outfits (saris) and having blouses made for the BMs. Additionally, I will be gifting them having henna done the day before the wedding, and jewelry to wear with the outfits. Should I also be getting them separate gifts??
TIA!

artbyallie

The things you've mentioned are all part of the 'uniform' for the wedding. So yes, you absolutely should give them separate gifts that have nothing to do with the wedding. The advice frequently given here is "shop like it's their birthday/Christmas."

AutumnFair

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_moms-maids_gifts-bm-required-even-providing-dresses?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:357Discussion:65bd8ad1-b3c7-4256-bc58-7d91aea94195Post:9dcd0770-556d-4b80-8c04-b655cbf44cd2">Gifts for BM required even if you're providing the dresses?</a>:
[QUOTE]Hi, So I know you're supposed to traditionally give gifts to the BM and that anything they are given to wear the day of the wedding is not considered a gift. However, as is Indian cultural tradition, my parents will be paying for their outfits (saris) and having blouses made for the BMs. Additionally, I will be gifting them having henna done the day before the wedding, and jewelry to wear with the outfits. Should I also be getting them separate gifts?? TIA!
Posted by meenamoo[/QUOTE]

<div>Yes, besides the outfit itself in which most BM expect to pay for, everything else is part of the uniform and shouldn't be expected or be viewed as a gift. The gift you give doesn't have to be expensive, the gift is suppose to be a thank you for the WP, so just find something inexpensive  and special for each of your BM that is focus on each individuals likes and hobbies.</div>

koko8115

It's not in my budget to give something big since I'm already paying for their hair and makeup if they'd like it, but I think it would be nice to give something unwedding related as a thank you. Like PP said it doesn't have to be something expensive, just a token of appresiation.

But for what it's worth, I would LOVE a sari as a gift. They are beautiful!

mrsjustinm2b

I'm paying for my bm's dresses, and beauty stuff and there is no more room in the budget for anymore "gifts" So I am making a card for each of them and will write them a beautiful thank you for being my bm. I'm crafty so I may make each of them somthign as well A few of my girls are plus sized, and then go and tell me their budget is $50...I said have you EVER bought a dress for yourself for less than $50?? and they go "well no....but..."  Plus sized clothes are $$$! I know I wear them too! So I told them I will get the BM dresses (Which they chose individually), but thats about as far as my budget will stretch. Not to mention we have been doing "living room spa" days to try out hair and makeup and nail polish and I've hosted each and everyone (food/booze/supplies) of those plus will be hosting a bm party for them...I think all the "experiences" I've footed the bill for will more than make up for not getting a "gift-gift" if I make sure to express my heartfelt gratitude to them in lots of other wayz.