How much to spend?

JoanneBL

How much is enough to spend on your bridal party gifts?
Does it depend on how much they spend on the dresses??

I just want to be budget conscious but also not to look skimpy.

lharri12

It depends on your overall wedding budget.  If you're spending tons of money on a designer wedding dress, expensive flowers, Surf & Turf, premium open bar, etc., you shouldn't skimp on bridal party gifts.  If you're having a more casual wedding, less is okay.  I think the usual range is $20 - $100.

stina93446

It has to do with what you feel is the right amount. There is no magical amount that everyone spends. You should match it to your event though. If you have a black tie $50,000 wedding, you'd look pretty cheap if you got them a dvd. See what I'm saying?

Shop for them not as "I have to spend the same amount on everyone"  but rather as "what would Suzy like? What would cindy like?" and go from there.

sister2groom

I think it depends on how much they're spending in the sense that if it's a destination wedding in Paris and they have to buy $500 dresses and $200 shoes and you get them a candle they'll probably be a little upset. But if you're having a modest wedding, which includes moderately priced BP attire, $20-$100 sounds fine to me.

Since your wedding is next fall, why not wait until fall clothes are on sale so you can get something with a little higher retail price?

banana468

I'm going to echo PPs.  If you know that they spent a lot to be in the wedding, I think spending only $20 on each isn't all that great.  BUT, that doesn't mean that you can't.  It's all about the how and not necessarily what you buy.

Robyn5298

I ended up spending about $75 each but shopped very specifically for each girl. 

I did the monogrammed totebags and inside put little trinkets that I knew they'd like.  ie. high end hot sauces and kitchen items for the chef, a frog cocktail ring for my MOH that loves frogs, etc.  Oh and I also got them each a set of those roll up ballet flats that you keep in your purse to change into when your heels start to hurt your feet.  They were all wearing them by the end of the wedding, it was adorable!

I know they monogrammed thing isn't very popular on this board, but I got the bags and stitching in each girls' favorite color and they all loved them!  I know they really did too, they're not the types to blow smoke.  They were only $15 each, if I remember correctly.

I suggest you take PPs advice and shop like its their birthdays.  As long as the gift seems thoughtful and heartfelt I'm sure they will appreciate it no matter what your budget!  I also think a nice card thanking them for being such good friends is a nice touch too.

LisaLPharmD

I spent about $100 on each and a little more on the maid and matron of honor

marissa_claire

I spent about $40-50 on each one, but we also paid for their dresses.  Honestly, don't go bankrupt.  I thought about spending less but in the end I decided I would get them the kind of gift that they might want but would never purchase for themselves, which I think made me spend more than I would have otherwise.