Gift Ideas for Your Wedding Party
by Deah Paulson
Your wedding attendants really came through for you. They threw you a raucous bachelor or bachelorette party, helped you organize and plan, and provided support during those pre-nuptial meltdowns. In other words, you owe them. Now that you’ve reached your big day, you will need to give your attendants special gifts to thank them for their time, effort, and support.
First, you’ll want to make sure that the money you spend reflects the amount of time and money that your attendants spent on your wedding. If, for instance, your maid of honor spent $300 on a dress and $500 on a ticket to get to your Hawaiian luau themed wedding, she might feel a little underappreciated if you give her an initialed keychain. Also keep in mind that your best man and maid of honor should receive a little more in the gift department, since they are likely to have invested more time, money, and energy than the rest of your wedding party.
Below are some fun and imaginative gift ideas for your attendants that will let them know that you really appreciate all they’ve done for you:
For the ladies
- Support their interests. If your maid of honor is a budding photographer, buy her beautiful photo album where she can display her art. Is one of your bridesmaids a camping buff? Give her a gift certificate to a camping supply store.
- Pamper them. Pedicures, manicures, monogrammed bathrobes, beauty products and related items are great ways for your ladies to unwind and take care of themselves.
- Be practical. Give them something they can use in day-to-day life, like a purse or cosmetic bag.
- Give the gift of food. If your friend is interested in all things culinary, she will love wine and cocktail accessories or a gift certificate to a local restaurant.
- Give them a night on the town. Theater, symphony, or ballet tickets are great ideas to help your ladies have a fun night out.
For the gentlemen
- Play to their interests. If your best man lives and breathes golf, give him a gift he can use in his next round. If your groomsman collects rare comic books, give him a gift certificate to a local comic book store.
- Indulge them. Give them something they would love, but probably wouldn’t purchase for themselves, like a monogrammed flask, a smoking jacket, a box of fancy cigars, or a bottle of expensive scotch.
- Be practical. Give them something they can use in day-to-day life, like a mini gym membership or a gift certificate for music downloads.
- Give the gift of food. Who doesn’t love great food? A wine or cocktail accessory or gift certificate to a local restaurant would be a welcome gift for most men.
- Give them a night on the town. Tickets to a ball game, musical event, or show make great gifts to help your guys have a fun night out.