Wedding Party gifts

hholevinsky · September 2010

My fiance' and are on a tight budget. My question is,
Is it ok to buy cheaper gifts for the wedding party? I've budgeted about $15 for each attendant. But I feel bad... I know my sisters who married before me spent a lot of money on the gifts... Both of them bought nice jewlery for us to wear at the wedding. I'm not a jewlery person, and I'd rather get them something they'll use everyday.
I like the idea of a personalized compact mirror or braclet... But is that too cheesy?

And can I just say, these posts have been so helpful! Thanks ladies!

mgietler76 · September 2010

Lurk a little more and check out the previous posts here this question is asked ALL THE TIME. But basically it doesn't matter how much you spend, you don't have to do matchy matchy. Shop as if it were their b-day and jewelry that you require them to wear for the wedding is not a gift.

emilyinchile · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_wedding-party-gifts-11?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:be20f520-d8c1-4bec-b6f7-d5930ab3693ePost:d1f7c779-de3c-4da1-81ab-bbda3cc5e242">Wedding Party gifts</a>:
[QUOTE]My fiance' and are on a tight budget. My question is, <strong>Is it ok to buy cheaper gifts for the wedding party?</strong> I've budgeted about $15 for each attendant. But I feel bad... I know my sisters who married before me spent a lot of money on the gifts... Both of them bought nice jewlery for us to wear at the wedding. I'm not a jewlery person, and <strong>I'd rather get them something they'll use everyday. I like the idea of a personalized compact mirror or braclet</strong>... But is that too cheesy? And can I just say, these posts have been so helpful! Thanks ladies!
Posted by hholevinsky[/QUOTE]

1. If your WP gift budget is in line with your overall wedding budget, that's fine. I would judge a little if you're having a very expensive wedding and only thought to spend $15 on your friends, but if everything's being done at low cost then I would be grateful for the token of your appreciation.

2. I would not use a personalized compact mirror ever, much less every day. I also have specific taste in what kind of bracelets I like. If, for example, all your friends wear bracelets, you know their individual styles and get them something that you think they'd love, then that's fine to have "bracelets" as a unifying theme. But don't get them all matching gifts just because you think you have to, and make them gifts you'd get for them any other time, not something you've seen on a web site labeled as a bridesmaid gift. No one I know would be particularly grateful for a personalized anything or a mirror.

suz62984 · September 2010

You don't have to buy your WP $100 gifts!!! It is fine that you are on a smaller budget. Pair a personalized gift with a card and hand written note and you'll be just fine. I have received the personalized compact and I have to say that it isn't getting used. I just don't carry around a compact. I would suggest shopping for them individually based on things that they like. Also, your wedding isn't until next year. After Christmas sales!!! I was able to get my gifts last Christmas for 50-70% off. One girl loves jewelry so I got her a heart pendant from Zales in 14K white gold with diamonds...$25. Clearance and Holiday sales are your friends!!!

EDIT: I also need to add that I agree with Emily. If your wedding is a huge, ritzy affair then maybe splurge more on the gifts. Also, if you are asking the girls to spend $300 for a dress, splurge on the gift a little.

aerinpegadrak · September 2010

eBay is your friend, I found some great stuff through there. But I ditto the others; this should be one of the last places you cut your budget. We were on a pretty tight budget for the wedding, but I spent about $30 each on my attendants, and I think DH spent closer to $50 each on his. These are your closest friends, and especially if they're spending a good chunk of change to be there for you, you shouldn't skimp on the appreciation.

AutumnFair · September 2010

Best places to get gifts for a really good deal. Ebay, Amazon, Overstock, Etsy, clearance rack in retail stores, if your wedding is until next year Black Friday is a bargain hunters paradise. I also think $15 is kind of flimsy, I would at least go $25.

stina93446 · September 2010

$15 is not too low as long as you're not having a black tie affair. Just get them something that they'll love that isn't wedding related. A movie on DVD, some pretty yarn colors for a knitter, etc.

hholevinsky · October 2010

Thanks so much for the advice, ladies.
I agree with all of you, actually... haha. My fiance and I are paying for a majority of the wedding ourselves, and we cannot spend more than 5 thousand. So it is a small wedding with a tight budget. I think I just worried about the price range of $15 per BM, because of how much my sisters spent, (at least what I THINK they spent)
I think I'll also take the advice of looking else where, in hopes of making the gifts more personalized, rather than matchy-matchy. Thanks again, Ladies!
-Hannah

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