What are you getting/did you get for your Bridesmaids gifts?

kapkap113

I am looking for ideas on what to get my bridesmaids. I am going to give them earrings to wear day of, but what else? I want something they will love and can use every day! Anyone have good ideas or give anything their BM's just loved?

RoyalOrient

Besides treating my two girls to manicures and pedicures. I am also giving them personalized cosmetic bags filled with goodies like Boscia blotting tissues, L'Occitane travel size hand lotion, travel size compact mirror, lip gloss with their name on it and Frederic Fekkai anti-frizz glossing cream.  I'm also going to include a T.Y card with some personal gifts like specialty tea for my MOH (she is a tea enthusiast).

Etsy seller, plethora creates beautiful high quality cosmetic and jewelry rolls with name embroidery. Since you are giving them earrings, why not a jewelry roll to match? They can also use it to store their other jewelry pieces after the wedding. 

sboston06

I got my bridesmaids Tiffany necklaces and they LOVED them.  They all wear them as their 'everyday' necklace because they are simple and classic.  I got them all silver pendants that were different and suited their interests.

I also got them personalized notecards, silver stud earrings and makeup cases.

noodle_oo

I got my bridesmaids really personal gifts that was unique for each of them.  For my sister, 2 sewing books I knew she wanted.  For my best friend, a figuring she collects.  For my other good friend, we did a girls night out just the 2 of us and I treated her to dinner (she's a mom, so getting a night out away from the kids what was she needed the most!).

I think doing matching presents is not very personal and it is nice to show your friends how much you really know them by getting them something individual that you know they will love.  I will also emphasize that anything for the wedding is not really a present for them.  I've gotten the same old BM gifts in the past and it doesn't really make you feel very special to the bride.

CrazyMary77

I've been thinking about getting tote bags filled with goodies. I was thinking of getting all of them flip flops and pashminas in case they need them on wedding day. Then I wanted to get them each a piece of jewelry that would be unique to their style, not necessarily to wear on wedding day. I'll probably also fill the bags with other odds and ends they might need.

karmellah

im making up giftbaskets. i have some of the stuffin it already like pocketbook holders, photoclutch, manicure set, socks.

JBs_Bride

I gave my bridesmaids and DH's groomsmaid a bunch of stuff. I bought it over the course of our engagement, so it wasn't a huge expense all at one time.

Longchamps tote (different color for each girl)
Gold-toned bracelet (they all ended up wearing it for the wedding, but I had given it to them because it was pretty )  )
Post-party beauty kit from Korres
Pashminas
Fit In Clouds
Wristlets from Etsy
Vinturi (for DH's groomsmaid - that was his contribution to the gift)

Also, my parents paid for their hair and makeup. That wasn't part of their gift per se, but the girls really appreciated it.

Jamps728

I'm going to pay for my bridesmaids' jewelry but the day before the wedding, I'm also taking them all to 1154 Lill on Newbury Street in Boston to make their own bags.  I know a few of my bridesmaids love that place, so it seemed like something they would want and really appreciate - plus it's personalized to them.  I only have 3 bridesmaids though, so doing something a little more expensive isn't too bad.

MeaghanandMichael

I don't think giving your bms things to use at YOUR wedding is really a 'gift' to them, you know? I would shop for them as if it were their birthdays and personalize the gifts.

I got them Vineyard Vines bags with stuff personal to them inside. I got my MoH a Lauren Merken clutch.

MeaghanandMichael

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_gettingdid-bridesmaids-gifts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:89Discussion:3087b969-9edc-4368-a829-5a66b6241a42Post:99702f08-cea8-4ce6-97a1-2ac4ddc84de4">Re: What are you getting/did you get for your Bridesmaids gifts?</a>:
[QUOTE]I am going to get my girls Kate Spade bags I think.  They are about $75 a piece and you can find them on zappos.com if you search "kate spade foiled again".  With that I'm not sure yet...maybe gift cards to get nails done and the maid of honor will probably get a mani and a pedi or something like that.  They put in a lot of work so I don't mind spending the $$! <strong>Another cool idea would be to give them each like $50 worth of drinks at the reception....that way they can drink for free basically too</strong>
Posted by Diana1724[/QUOTE]

Wait, what?? Why wouldn't you just host a wedding reception where your guests do not have to open their wallet? People have to pay to enjoy a beverage at your reception? You know you are the responsible host in their scenario, right?

Do you charge your friends for wine when they come over for dinner?

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_gettingdid-bridesmaids-gifts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:89Discussion:3087b969-9edc-4368-a829-5a66b6241a42Post:99702f08-cea8-4ce6-97a1-2ac4ddc84de4">Re: What are you getting/did you get for your Bridesmaids gifts?</a>:
[QUOTE]I am going to get my girls Kate Spade bags I think.  They are about $75 a piece and you can find them on zappos.com if you search "kate spade foiled again".  With that I'm not sure yet...maybe gift cards to get nails done and the maid of honor will probably get a mani and a pedi or something like that.  They put in a lot of work so I don't mind spending the $$!<u><strong> Another cool idea would be to give them each like $50 worth of drinks at the reception....that way they can drink for free basically too
</strong></u>Posted by Diana1724[/QUOTE]

Huh??  Thats not cool.  At all.

Neileo27

I'm considering getting my BM's tote bags from Vineyard Vines with the collegiate print on the insdie.

Most of us went to the same school or a school in New England so I think it would be a cute and functional gift.  Especially if we end up booking a venue on the Cape.

MeaghanandMichael

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_gettingdid-bridesmaids-gifts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:89Discussion:3087b969-9edc-4368-a829-5a66b6241a42Post:e919e93b-a5ad-48b2-a760-9400318a1984">Re: What are you getting/did you get for your Bridesmaids gifts?</a>:
[QUOTE]I didn't mean to offend anyone...We are paying for our own wedding.  We cannot afford to have an open bar for the entire reception.  We are having it for cocktail hour but sadly we can't have it for the whole thing...I would love to be able to but we can't....sorry if anyone was offended by that
Posted by Diana1724[/QUOTE]

How is the bar not in the wedding budget? You wouldn't just not have food would you? I am sure you moved some priorities around to make sure your guests got fed properly, why are drinks anything different? It is still showing your guests appreciation.

Also, I think you missed the part where we are less offended by the cash bar, but more shocked you think an appropriate bm gift is getting her drunk at your wedding. It is not like she can even use that $50.00 voucher to a bar elsewhere and you wouldn't really hand some one cash would you?

MeaghanandMichael

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_gettingdid-bridesmaids-gifts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:89Discussion:3087b969-9edc-4368-a829-5a66b6241a42Post:62da084a-d1f6-4751-b297-97d4e5477917">Re: What are you getting/did you get for your Bridesmaids gifts?</a>:
[QUOTE]I would never just hand out $$ to my bridesmaids....it was a random idea and I guess a dumb one.  There is no reason to be rude...I honestly cannot pay for open bar for the full five hours...there is nothing I can do about that.  We are paying more than we wanted to any ways.  I could never imagine being so rude to someone...especially someone I didn't know.  I don't know what else to say about this...I'm sorry you are so offended by the fact that I don't have enough money to have an open bar. I've been to 5 weddings this year and not one had an open bar...maybe we are just unclassy in Mass
Posted by Diana1724[/QUOTE]

Are you being obtuse on purpose? I never once said I was looking down on you for 'not having enough money.' There are plenty of gorgeous weddings on these boards for minimal money who still prioritized the comfort of their guests at the wedding. There are other things to skimp on (limos, centerpieces, guest list, dress, e-pics... the list could go on) before I would ask my guests to pay for my responsibilities as a wedding host.
 
We could go another 5 rounds on the topic but eitquette is still etiquette and you are still going to do what you want to do. It really is not the end of the world.
Just one question: If your guests want a piece of cake at your wedding, do you charge them for that too?  Cakes are exspensive you know.

allisong23

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_gettingdid-bridesmaids-gifts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:89Discussion:3087b969-9edc-4368-a829-5a66b6241a42Post:62da084a-d1f6-4751-b297-97d4e5477917">Re: What are you getting/did you get for your Bridesmaids gifts?</a>:
[QUOTE]I would never just hand out $$ to my bridesmaids....it was a random idea and I guess a dumb one.  There is no reason to be rude...I honestly cannot pay for open bar for the full five hours...there is nothing I can do about that.  We are paying more than we wanted to any ways.  I could never imagine being so rude to someone...especially someone I didn't know.  I don't know what else to say about this...I'm sorry you are so offended by the fact that I don't have enough money to have an open bar. I've been to 5 weddings this year and not one had an open bar...maybe we are just unclassy in Mass
Posted by Diana1724[/QUOTE]

Actually, none of the nine weddings in MA I have been to have a cash bar, so don't blame MA.

MeaghanandMichael

Oh yeah, i always forget it changed me to having a CT location. So weird.

I have been here for a long time and seen this board through plenty of different groups of brides. Between this post and the one about parents being cheap, I probably shouldn't come around here until the next wave comes through. I can't stand the selfish and it makes me cranky. Blue is on her hm anyway!

Diana1724

you my friend have way too much time on your hands....youve been married for two years...maybe you should get off of the knot.

thanks for all of your input...I'll be sure to think of you in the planning ahead

emma5500

She may not have said it in the nicest way but I have to agree with Meaghan.  FI and I are paying for our wedding ourselves and have a relatively small budget for the Boston area (under $15K), but we are still having open bar.  In order to make this work with our budget we are having the ceremony in a public park, my mom is helping me DIY our centerpieces and I am getting DIY invitation kits from Michael's.  I was willing to sacrifice fancy centerpieces from a florist and expensive invitations so that our guests will not have to take out their wallets at our wedding.  I think most people on this board and anyone who has been guest at a wedding would agree that they won't notice if someone didn't have the most expensive centerpieces or cake or invitations but WILL remember if they had to pay for drinks at the reception, on top of buying a gift for the couple, hotel room, etc.  Maybe your group of friends/family is different and has different expectations but I just wanted to say that it is possible to have open bar even on a small budget.

MeaghanandMichael

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_massachusetts-boston_gettingdid-bridesmaids-gifts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:89Discussion:3087b969-9edc-4368-a829-5a66b6241a42Post:f399f056-a642-490e-8096-285cd2d23e96">Re: What are you getting/did you get for your Bridesmaids gifts?</a>:
[QUOTE]you my friend have way too much time on your hands....youve been married for two years...maybe you should get off of the knot. thanks for all of your input...I'll be sure to think of you in the planning ahead
Posted by Diana1724[/QUOTE]

Deflection? That is your answer? Well, that was pretty boring.

agulla23

I got each of the girls a set of pearl earring, necklace and bracelet.  My MOH I got a little different style, but along the same lines.  And I got them all pashminas which came in very handy and Im sure theyll ise them in the future.  I also paid for their hair and makeup.  Ya, everything was pretty much for the day of the wedding but personally I think pearls and pashminas are timeless so theyll be able to wear them again.  HTH!

RoyalOrient

I agree that a $50 drink voucher is not exactly a great gift idea to give your bridesmaids. And while paying for your bridesmaid expenses should not be considered a gift, you know they will appreciate it nonetheless. I added personal items to gifts I'm giving my girls.

On another note, we should use some diplomacy when expressing our disagreements. Like the attitude is not necessary. So please watch your language and tone. We are all here to help each other.
 

Diana1724

I agree with you completely.  There are much nicer and mature ways to say things.  There is no need to take jabs at people because you do not agree with what they are saying.

Meaghan I am not here to entertain you or to make you happy.  I was simply giving my opinion on something.  Maybe it wasn't the greatest idea...and I'm sure if I said it to my mom she would have told me the same thing.  And I will give you that you were right.  I just do not agree with being rude or bashing people.  I would never say something about what someone else was doing..ever.  If you think it is a bad idea...be nice about it...don't attack the person.  I feel so bad for people on here that get attacked because they make a comment. 

Say someone said they wanted to give pearls ( i love pearls and think they look very classy) but what if I hated them?  What if I thought they were super ugly?  I would never in a million years post that! EVER!  There are nice ways to say things and state your opinion...outright attacking someone is just not cool.

We are all here to help, not judge.  I am in no way a mean or rude person but when someone pushes me I have to defend myself. 

Erica1011

I think the sentiment of the $50 voucher is nice, just not the execution.  I was in a wedding last summer and it was open bar for the wedding party, cash bar for the rest of guests.  I def think its a great idea to pay for your wedding party!

And I've been reading a lot of posts recently as I am newly engaged and I've noticed cash bar versus open bar is a very heated issue on this forum.  People apparently just love to pass judgment and lecture you on etiquette.  I am going to be doing an open bar for my wedding so I understand where they are coming from but I do not agree with their approach in conveying their opinions (And just an FYI my FI and I are paying for everything ourselves.  We are having a longer engagement than I originally wanted so that we can afford the open bar) But I say:  Do what you can afford.  Your real friends will not judge you for it and your family should be understanding as well.  Good Luck!