Bridesmaid Gifts: How to Thank Your Bridal Party

Wedding Planning
Written By Colleen McCarthy
 
Bride posing outdoors with two bridesmaids.

Bride posing with her bridesmaids.

 

Once your wedding date starts getting closer, you’ll want to start thinking about thank you gifts for your bridal party. Your bridesmaids, maid of honor or matron of honor have been helping you plan and get ready.

They’ve been buying clothes and accessories. Booking time off. Plus hosting and attending all your wedding events. It’s time to choose your bridesmaid gifts, to thank them and show how much you appreciate all that they’re doing for you.

Bridesmaid gifts are different from bridesmaid proposal boxes. If you gave them out when you asked, that’s wonderful. But you’ll still need to give a thank you gift to your maid of honor and your bridesmaids.

You should buy bridesmaid gifts a few weeks before your wedding. Decide when you’ll hand them out, then buy them in time to wrap them and write the cards.

Sometimes bridesmaid gifts are given out at the bachelorette party. Most brides choose to hand them out at the rehearsal dinner. The easiest option is to give them at the end of the dinner. Everyone from your wedding will be there, so you can give out your bridesmaid gifts, groomsmen gifts and parent gifts at the same time. If you have flower girl or ring bearer gifts, they can be given out as well.

Please note: this article contains affiliate links. That means that I may earn a commission if you decide to buy something.

How Much Should You Spend on Bridesmaid Gifts?

How much you spend depends on your budget and how much you’ve asked your bridesmaids to do. If you’re on a small budget, you probably chose inexpensive bridesmaid dresses and accessories. If you made an effort to keep their costs down, it’s ok to choose inexpensive gifts. If you’ve got a small budget, take some time to choose token gifts that are meaningful, and will show that you were thinking of them.

If you’re on a bigger budget, or if you asked your bridesmaids to spend a lot, you should spend a lot on their gifts as well. It shouldn’t be an exact exchange, but if they spent a thousand dollars on your wedding and you give them a ten dollar gift you will look very cheap.

Think about all the time they spent, as well. Did they help you choose flowers and colors? Did they answered your panic texts when you were booking vendors? Did they throw you a bridal shower? A bachelorette party?

It’s not going to be an exact number you have to spend, but you should put the same amount of expense and effort that they did for you.

Where Should You Buy Bridesmaid Gifts?

If you want to shop in person, you can look in your favorite stores. If you want to buy jewelry or accessories, you can find them in your local gift shops. If you want more selection, or personalized gifts, there’s lot of choices online. 

One of my favorite places to shop is Etsy - click here to see a selection of affordable gifts for your bridal party: My Favorites List: Bridesmaid Gifts

Unique Bridesmaid Gifts

If you want more personal gifts, you can choose items that are similar, but unique to each person. You could order matching jewelry that has each persons’ birth stone, or astrological sign. Or you could buy traditional gifts, like makeup bags and make them special by choosing to personalize them with each persons name. Or go completely different and include gift cards for a special outing or class. 

  • Cooking class gift card

  • Spa gift card

  • Restaurant gift card

  • Concert tickets

  • Theater tickets

  • Personalized clutch purses

  • Nameplate necklaces

  • Astrology pendant necklaces

  • Birthstone earrings

 
 

Inexpensive Bridesmaid Gifts

If you’re on a tight budget, you can still choose gifts that are thoughtful and pretty. There’s a lot of items that everyone loves. No one will get mad at you for giving them a gorgeous candle or a luxurious bath set! Choose a color or scent you know they love, and add a thoughtful card to let them know how much you appreciate them.

  • Bath and body gift sets

  • Bath bombs

  • Scented soap and scrubs

  • Candles

  • Spa sets

  • Manicure sets

  • Makeup bags

  • Scrunchies

Can You Include Things For Your Wedding Day?

Lots of brides include jewelry or robes for bridesmaids to wear on the wedding day. You can include matching robes or pajamas if you want to wear them for your getting ready photos. Or you can include accessories that they can use on your wedding day.

  • Robe

  • Pajama set

  • Pashmina

  • Clutch purse

  • Hairpiece

  • Jewelry set

  • Earrings

  • Necklace

  • Bracelet

 
 

Getting Ready Robes For the Bridal Party

Matching robes are super popular - mostly because they look so cute in photos! You can choose a white one for yourself, then your wedding colors for your bridesmaids. Or choose all the same pattern. No matter what colors you choose, a robe is a great gift that your bridesmaids can use again after the wedding. Especially if you get them personalized - who wouldn’t love a robe with their name on it!

 

Getting Ready Pajama Sets For the Bridal Party

Pajama sets are just as cute as robes, and maybe a bit more practical. Just like the robes, they come in every color and pattern, so you can choose the ones that match your wedding style the best.

 

Bridesmaid Jewelry

If you’re choosing jewelry for your bridesmaids to wear on the day of your wedding, consider the colors and style of their dresses. Think about what jewelry will go best with their bridesmaid dresses. If you’re choosing everyday jewelry for them, the most important thing to think about is their own personal style.

See a selection of inexpensive bridesmaid jewelry sets, earrings, necklaces and bracelets: My Etsy Favorites List: Bridesmaid Jewelry

Bridesmaid Jewelry Set

 
 

Bridesmaid Earrings

Including earrings in your bridesmaid thank you gifts is a great idea. You can choose earrings that’ll look great on the wedding day and be a pretty keepsake for your friends. You can even find earrings in special gift boxes that are the perfect addition to a bridesmaid box.

 
 

Bridesmaid Necklace

Necklaces are a wonderful keepsake for your bridesmaids. If you want to make your gift extra special, you can look for monograms or birthstones as a way to personalize each one.

 
 

Bridesmaid Gift Boxes, Gift Bags & Personalized Tote Bags

Most bridesmaid gifts are a collection of small items, like candles, jewelry or accessories. To make a pretty presentation, you can package them in a gift box, a gift bag or a tote bag.

Bridesmaid Gift Boxes

 
 

Bridesmaid Gift Bags

 
 

Personalized Bridesmaid Tote Bags

Pre Made Bridesmaid Gift Boxes

If you’d rather buy a box already made up, there’s lots to choose from on Etsy. They come with a range of items inside and you can choose one that fits your budget. Most sellers will let you personalize your choice so they’ll be perfect for each of your bridesmaids and maid of honor.

 
 

Thank You Cards For Your Bridesmaids

Whatever you decide to gift your bridal party, don’t forget to include a pretty thank you card. Now is the perfect time to tell your friends and family how much they mean to you. Let them know how much you appreciate all they’ve done for you. 

 
 
 

Pin this article to save it for later:

 
Colleen McCarthy
Previous

Day of Wedding Timeline For a DIY Wedding
Next

What Does a Day of Wedding Coordinator Do?