Almost a year ago I asked the 5 or 6 women who are close friends/family to be my bridesmaids/MOH and thankfully, they accepted. I have already been speaking about the wedding plans with them and have had group email chats about where we may want to get the dresses from, etc. Now I recently have been speaking to a friend of the family who is graciously filling the role as a wedding planner. She says that I should give my bridesmaids gifts. I never knew that this was customary. The thing is, they know that they are my bridesmaids already and have fully accepted the responsibility so I'm not sure how I should present the gifts to them.
The way I've seen it done via Google images and pinterest are cute creative boxes with gifts inside with a note that ASKS them if they will be their bridesmaid. In my situation, something like that would seem silly. I could see them reading the note with an eyebrow raised like 'Why is she asking me this if she already asked...?' So how should I present this to them? And I'm honestly not in the financial position to be giving anyone gits at this point but I still want to do SOMETHING for them. So I am in need of ideas where I could spend no more than $50 total for all the girls. Any ideas on how I could present the gifts to them or what I could get them would be much appreciated!
TeresaMarie
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Bridesmaids' Gifts
I think that if you already asked them, save the gift giving for the rehearsal dinner or right before the wedding. I do not think that bridesmaids expect gifts throughout the entire process. They all understand how much weddings costs and everyone who is planning a wedding is on a tight budget. If you didn't already ask them, then I might say give them a card or small gift, but not if it is established already that they are in your wedding. Just make sure to give them a nice thank-you gift before your wedding. I have been in many weddings where I did not get a gift for the 'asking' part.
Emazing17
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Bridesmaids' Gifts
Yea the gift should be at the rehearsal dinner or the morning of the wedding if you are not having a RD. Basically thanking them for being in the wedding. I will be paying for my bridesmaids to get there makeup done.
Amanda2022
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Bridesmaids' Gifts
I just sent a card to my girls asking to be my bridesmaids. I will get them a gift and give it to them at the rehearsal dinner. Its not expected to give them something when asking them. My girls were happy just to receive a customized card.
LydiaandPaul
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Bridesmaids' Gifts
I agree. Since you already asked them, I dont think its necessary to give them a gift and re-ask them. I have been in weddings where they do one or the other. But I have never been asked and then a few months later re-asked. Save the gift for the rehearsal dinner.
booie135
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Bridesmaids' Gifts
Definitely agree with the girls here, I'm going to be giving a few small gifts like DOJ a pashmina and the like at the RD thanking them for being a part of everything.
BOUSA312
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Bridesmaids' Gifts
I don't think you need to get them a gift at this point. You already asked them and they already accepted. When I asked my girls I just gave them each a card and a bracelet (nothing expensive). Before the wedding I plan on getting them something like jewelry to wear for the wedding as a thank you. Definitely not necessary though to do gifts twice.
missmarryme46
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Bridesmaids' Gifts
Thank you all for your helpful input! I'm glad I'm not crazy for not wanting to re-ask them when I give them the gift. I was thinking to give them gifts closer to the wedding but wasn't sure if it would seem like it was given to them too late. Clearly I was overthinking things lol I was a bridesmaid at my sisters wedding last year and we never got or expected any gifts. Which was exactly why I was surprised to hear that I should do it. But I do think it's a nice gesture so I'm willing to do it :)
After researching some nice gift ideas, I think I may get my girls customized hangers with their name and title (bridesmaid/MOH) as a special keepsake. And the photographer can take pictures of their dresses on them which would be nice. I'll probably get them jewelry too. When do rehearsal dinners usually happen by the way?
missmarryme46
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Re: Bridesmaids' Gifts
Posted by booie135
Definitely agree with the girls here, I'm going to be giving a few small gifts like DOJ a pashmina and the like at the RD thanking them for being a part of everything.
I know pashmina is a type of scarf but what's a DOJ?
TeresaMarie
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Bridesmaids' Gifts
Rehearsal dinners usually happen the week of the wedding, depending on where you are getting married. I know the church tells you when you can go there to rehearse walking down the aisle with the bridal party, and then the couple has a dinner for the bridal party afterwards. I don't know how it works if it is not a church wedding.
killerqueen
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Re: Bridesmaids' Gifts
Posted by missmarryme46
Posted by booie135
Definitely agree with the girls here, I'm going to be giving a few small gifts like DOJ a pashmina and the like at the RD thanking them for being a part of everything.
I know pashmina is a type of scarf but what's a DOJ?
DOJ= day of jewelry. :)
missmarryme46
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Bridesmaids' Gifts
Ohh lol all these forum abbreviations. I must've missed that one haha
missmarryme46
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Re: Bridesmaids' Gifts
Posted by TeresaMarie
Rehearsal dinners usually happen the week of the wedding, depending on where you are getting married. I know the church tells you when you can go there to rehearse walking down the aisle with the bridal party, and then the couple has a dinner for the bridal party afterwards. I don't know how it works if it is not a church wedding.
Thanks! Yeah I have no idea how rehearsals at reception halls work either. That's my dilemma. I will have to ask them at some point. As well as when the food/cake tastings should be done. But I have time to worry about that later I guess
