Bridesmaids' Gift Ideas

[Cheryl Galvez]

The following is a list of unique and creative gift ideas to give to your bridesmaids in appreciation for their help in making your day even that more special.

If you have any ideas for bridesmaids gifts you'd like to share, you can do so by either hitting Post Reply or by sending us an email at contact@pashweddings.com. Thanks!

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Pay for Hair or Make-up on Wedding Day
Submitted by: Michelle of San Francisco

Treat your bridesmaids to the same salon that will be styling your hair and/or makeup. This way they can look great at a cost that many bridesmaids can't afford. Also, it gives the bridal party a chance to hang out together before the wedding.

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Jewelry Boxes
Submitted by: Janine of Pittsburgh

Jewelry boxes make a great gift for small wedding parties. I chose to engrave the initials of my bridesmaids on the front as well as placing inside a pair of earrings to wear for the wedding day.

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Gift Baskets
Submitted by: Monica of Orlando

I'm making gift baskets for every wedding party member. I put gifts into the basket which reflected their hobbies, interests and favorites so each basket is personalized. A bottle of wine for the connoisseur, "babysitting coupons" for the single mother, sugar-free chocolates for my diabetic MIL, and a concert T-shirt for the music lover. Since each one was personalized with a handwritten note, everyone got something they really liked and not a cookie-cutter gift.

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A Day at the Spa
Submitted by: Karen of Staten Island, New York

As gifts for my bridesmaids, I am buying each of them earrings to wear the day of the wedding, but I am also giving them gift certificates for a massage and manicure. I think a massage is great any time!

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Dining Out
Submitted by: Aimee of Piscataway, NJ

My maid of honor and I LOVE fine food but not cooking! As part of her gift, I took her out for dinner in the fanciest restaurant in town. It was a restaurant that she had always wanted to go to but could never afford for herself. It was a nice breather for the two of us before the rush of wedding festivities began. We made wonderful memories to last a lifetime!

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Custom Picture Frames or Sentimental Baskets
Submitted by: P. W. of Vermilion

Giving a gift to your bridesmaids are often sentimental. These ladies were chosen because of the bond you have. Pick a nice photo of yourselves that reminds you of great times. Get a unique frame. To make your gift even more special get a crystal candy dish or antique container and use as a 'basket base'. Put the gifts in the container gift basket style, wrap in tulle and tie with a satin ribbon. Use a reflective poem or thoughtful words in the note card.

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Day Spa
Submitted by: Sharon of Detroit, Michigan

My gift to my Matron of Honor is an "activity". We are going together the day before the wedding to a day spa. Although a full day is expensive, I am treating both of us to a mini massage, facial and manicure. Can't wait!

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Custom-Designed Frames
Submitted by: S. B. of Milano, Italy

Giglio d'Oro photo albums hand made with high quality materials, carefully finished. 60 sheets - large size, special for wedding photos - in high quality ivory card, divided by fine parchment sheets to protect your photographs.

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Custom Designed Frames #2
Submitted by: C. L. of Baltimore, Maryland

My business is wedding design and one of my most popular gifts for bridesmaids has been custom- designed picture frames created with the same or coordinating fabrics of the bridal party dresses. They are totally different and each is one of a kind as they are handmade to order. And, the photos from the wedding will always match the frame! They are my own design and very affordable... from creative guru, we're on the web.

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Bridesmaid Luncheon
Submitted by: S. D. of Carmel, Indiana

I'm turning my "bridesmaid luncheon" into a pampering session at home. For their gifts, I'm giving them books that have recipes and ideas for making your own beauty aids (lotions, perfumes, etc.). You can find books like these in the Health and Beauty section of your local bookstore. I'm also giving each of them some fancy glass bottles (probably decorated with ribbons and flowers) to put their favorite potions in. For the shower, we'll use recipes that I've tested beforehand. An alternative is gift certificates to a spa/massage parlor, but I like the personal touch!

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Jar full of Kisses
Submitted by: Mary of Texas

Crystal candy jars filled with kisses.

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Stationery
Submitted by: J. B. of Winnipeg, Ontario, Canada

I was trying to come up with a unique gift idea for my matron of honor and bridesmaids. I planned my wedding from a distance. Actually a province away from where I am to be wed in October. Since my whole wedding party is at a distance from me and we communicate mostly by letter to avoid expensive phone bills, I thought a great gift for them would be silver letter openers and some beautiful stationary. Although to get a reasonable price on them you have to shop around to find the best deal. I found mine in a jewelery store after looking in several shops for an affordable price. Hope this helps those planning from a distance.

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Packages of Goodies
Submitted by: Cory of Kansas City, Kansas

I had to think of six different gifts to buy for my bridesmaids (3 women as BMs, 1 man as Brides Man, 1 PA, and 1 Jr. BM). I bought six different large-sized hat boxes (all decorated when I bought them) for about $4.00 a piece (the man's was more expensive - because it had a leather strap instead of a ribbon or string). I filled each one with a) an ivory towel with their name embroidered on it; b) a medium-sized bath and body works grouping; c) four votive candles; d) a box of Tic Tacs; e) set of panty hose for the women - black socks for the man; f) a small picture frame; g) packet of baby wipes; h) packet of kleenex; i) different gift certificates (ie, $5.00 to McDonalds, Subway, Taco Bell - they all have different fast food favorites); and j) two travel-sized bottles of liquor. Everyone gets the same amount of stuff - just a little different per person.

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Champagne Glasses
Submitted by: J. L. of Rochester, New York

We are on a budget, so our reception is a picnic theme. My bridesmaids were upset that they wouldn't get champagne glasses to make a toast. Nor would they get a chance to tap their silverware against the glasses to make us kiss. So along with the earrings that I bought them, they will be receiving their own champagne glasses for the reception.

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"A Charming Gift"
Submitted by: N. Smith of Silver Spring, Maryland

As a bridesmaid's gift you can give a sterling silver charm bracelet. The wedding cake should have silver charms tied to ribbons that each bridesmaid pulls. Each charm means a different thing. A 4-leaf clover is good luck, an engagement ring for the next to be engaged, a plane for the next to travel, and a baby carriage for the next to become a parent. The charm can be attached to the bracelet and the bridesmaid can add to it in future years. This tradition of pulling cake charms is victorian. The charms can be found in bridal specialty shops.

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"Bridesmaid Purses"
Submitted by: P. DelRosario of San Jose, California

A satin or beaded little purse would be a great gift for each bridesmaid since the bridesmaid doesn't usually buy a matching purse with her outfit. The purse should be big enough to accommodate lipstick, powder and/or Kleenex. In the little purse, include a pair of earrings as another "surprise gift." Not only can the purses be used again, they are a practical bridesmaid gift.

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"A Photo that will Last Forever"
Submitted by: M. M. of Houston, Texas

At one of my sister's bridal showers, she had a picture of herself and all the bridesmaids taken. Then at the rehearsal dinner she surprised us with a beautiful frame - and inside was the picture! It was a wonderful memento of a very fun time! (I plan on doing the same, but I'm hoping to take all my bridesmaids on a hot air balloon ride and get a picture of all of us there.)

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"Tears of Joy"
Submitted by: A. T. of Silver Spring, Maryland

Don't forget the tears of joy! Handkerchiefs make great gifts for attendants and parents. Just before my wedding, my sister gave us handkerchiefs to carry with our bouquets. It came in handy when I wiped my father's tears at the altar. Also, decorate a box of tissue using fabric scraps, lace, notions, etc. (in white, ivory or your color scheme) and place at the guest book table for incoming guests.

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Satin Evening Bags
Submitted by: Cara of Cleveland, Ohio

I bought each of my bridesmaids a black satin evening bag. Something you never really buy yourself and they can be used over and over again.

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Fun Board Games
Submitted by: J.Hunt of Marlboro, MA

We wanted our wedding party to remember our day as *fun*, so we gave them each party games, which we matched to their personalities/tastes -- from Scrabble to Outburst to Encore.

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Wish Bowls
Submitted by: G.L. of Vancouver, BC, Canada

I am going to a ceramics store where you can paint your own pottery. I'll be making "wish boxes" They are little trinket boxes and I will paint words like love, prosperity, happiness, friendship...stuff like that and some other choice words that will remind each person about a memory we have together. Like for my friend Stacey I will paint on there the word "denny's" and she will remember about all of our late nights at Denny's. Then at the cover of the trinket box it will say " this is your box of wishes....for love....for life" Inside I will also include a pair of earrings or maybe a pair of rhinestone clips that they can wear at the wedding with their dress.

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Pewter Bouquet Holders
Submitted by: Katherine of Austin, Texas

Pewter bouquet holders are absolutely beautiful to carry. I have found them with a base for displaying the bouquet at the reception and for the dried bouquet after the festivities are over. Each will be inscribed with a special message from us. The holders will become a special piece for their homes and a great way to remember the occasion!

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Potpourri
Submitted by: Dawn of Maspeth, New York

I am giving each of my three bridesmaids a costume necklace to wear on the day of the wedding, a covered hand-made, hand-held mirror and a personalized lipstick (their color and a name of my choice, i.e. Sassy Samantha). In addition, since my matron of honor, has done most of the work (my other bridesmaids are in other states) I am treating her and myself to a day at the spa after I return from my honeymoon.

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Comfortable Shoes
Submitted by: Jennifer of Abilene, Texas

This is not an idea I can take credit for, but I plan to use it for my "maids." Everyone who has ever stood in a pair of bridesmaid's shoes knows how much your feet hurt before the evening is over. I plan to buy my bridesmaids some pretty house slippers that match the color of their gowns for them to wear during the reception.

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Unique Baskets
Submitted by: Davine of Birmingham, Alabama

Each one of my bridesmaids are going to receive from me a basket filled with pantyhose for the wedding day, earrings for the big day, a travel size sample of body fragrances, and a small photo album of pictures of me and each individual maid. The photo book idea is a great one if you have a bit of time between now and the time of your wedding... you'll be able to take and develop the pictures in plenty of time before your wedding. Give each maid a different photo book to reflect her unique personality.

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Necklace and Bracelet Set
Submitted by: Davine of Birmingham, Alabama

I am giving my bridesmaids a necklace/bracelet set to wear on the day of the wedding. That is one less expense for them, but easy for me to pick out for all of them instead of, say, their shoes.

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Personalized Album
Submitted by: Elisha of Canton

For my bridesmaids, I am making them personalized albums. First, I am putting pictures of the wedding and some older pictures of all of us together. Next, I am placing a personalized poem in each one. Lastly, I am going to have their names engraved on the album. I thought this would become a cherished item.

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Aromatherapy Kit
Submitted by: Kayte of Portland, Oregon, USA

I am pampering my girls with an aromatherapy spa pack by "KAUTIA" which consists of lotion, shower gel, bath scrub, bath salts, soap, candle, scrub pad and a certificate for a mineral soak/wrap at a local Hot Springs. I especially like the large white square box with a "pop top" I have stuffed with rafia. I added a bow to open it for an extra special touch.

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Christmas Tree Brooch
Submitted by: Bronwyn of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Idea for December brides: I really wanted to find a bridesmaids' gift that was Christmasy while not being corny. I located a Christmas tree brooch that looks like a wedding cake. Sounds awful but it is so pretty. It even comes in any color of a bridesmaid's gown, which I didn't know before I bought the all-white. I found the Christmas pins at www.christmastreepins.com

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Pearls
Submitted by: Tracy of New York, New York, USA

I have eight bridesmaids, many of whom are travelling a great distance to be a part of our day. I really wanted to give them a gift that was special and elegant, and that they would always have but also didn't exceed our budget. I was so happy to find classic fresh water pearl bracelets at Fortunoff that were not only very well priced but also very pretty. I think it is the perfect thank you and can't wait to give them their gifts!

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Skin Care Class
Submitted by: Cathy B. of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA

I have had many of my customers host a skin care class for the bridal party well before the wedding to get everyone's skin in the best condition. Also, they hosted a makeover so that everyone knew the proper colors and learned the technique to look their best the day of the wedding! The bride gave the bridesmaids their "color look" as a gift in a beautiful compact!

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Wine Bottles
Submitted by: C of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

I found a nice gift that my bridesmaids can use. I am giving them each personalized bottles of wine. Each bottle has a nice label with a personalized note. They can use the wine with a nice dinner and either keep the bottle as a reminder or recycle it.

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Gift Certificate to a Spa
Submitted by: A Reader in Chicago, Illinois, USA

I am origninally from Hawaii and was planning my wedding in Chicago -- all of my bridesmaids were either living in Hawaii or on the West Coast, so I planned a day at the spa with all of my girls and my mother a few days before the wedding. I gave them each a gift certificate and had them choose either a massage, facial or manicure and pedicure. Some of them opted to have more done and they paid for the difference. It was nice to be able to spend time with one another. I, then, treated them to a late lunch. I also paid for their hair and makeup for the wedding and my sister made all the girls' necklaces and earrings to match their dresses.

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Special Gift Ideas for your Bridesmaid
Submitted by: Linda of Los Angeles, California, USA

Got a good friend who has been with you through thick and thin? Now you are asking her to, also, take part in the biggest day of your life. How about an extra special gift for her? Treat her to a spa treatment, special party, luncheon in her honor. Remember, good friends are friends for life! Congrats! To all.

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Buy Their Dress
Submitted by: Alex of Ontario

For my bridesmaids, I decided to buy their dresses.

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Satin Purse or Pouch
Submitted by: Tiffany of Norwalk

A great bridesmaid gift would be a small purse or satin pouch with sample fragrances, oil towelettes, and a pair of earrings. You can also add a few personal things like a hair clip, tissue, lip gloss, nail repair kit (because I always forget clippers), and a nice scented sachet for a refresher if there is alcohol or smoking permitted at your wedding. All these things will come in handy and since you, the bride, will be the first thing on their minds, they will forgot the basics.

[AngelRoseFyre]

I was thinking of getting each of them a bouquet holder and stand, they can use it to hold and display their bouquets at the wedding, but then it can double as a pretty vase at home.

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I am also buying them thir brides maids dresses. We are going with the Alfred Angelo seperates, so they can each choose the style they like, and since they are seperates, they may be able to wear the top or skirt again in another outfit.