Many brides choose to stand up and get married next to people who are very important to them. In fact, most weddings feature some combination of bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring bearers, and more.
Your entire wedding party takes on a number of responsibilities, from proceeding into your actual wedding to paying for dresses, throwing engagement parties, and so on. They commit a significant amount of time and money, so it’s important to show your appreciation for their efforts with a gift.
But what’s an appropriate wedding party gift? It depends on the role they’re playing in your big day. Follow these tips to determine the best gifts for your wedding party.
Bridesmaids and Maid/Matron of Honor
Your bridesmaids pick up a hefty tab. Many wind up purchasing dresses, jewelry, other accessories, and pay for things like hair, makeup, tanning, and the list goes on. At the same time, most brides choose bridesmaids that they’re remarkably close to. While the relationship between each bride and bridesmaid is unique, bridesmaids definitely deserve something special for their support during your wedding.
Consider these great bridesmaid gifts:
- Memorable jewelry they can wear to the wedding
- Embroidered or screen printed hats, shirts, or other apparel
- Bath robe
- Wine glasses
- Shawl/scarf
Junior Bridesmaids
Young bridesmaids also play a significant role in a wedding. Oftentimes, they’re found wrangling the youngsters and helping with pre and post-wedding setup and cleanup. If you’re planning on having junior bridesmaids in your wedding, you’re doing something right!
Junior bridesmaids deserve something special, such as:
- Special jewelry
- Personalized apparel
- Tote/purse
Groomsmen and Best Man
Just like the bridesmaid, the groomsmen and best man play an essential role in the average wedding—and we’re not just talking about emotional support. They’re there to plan the bachelor party, organizing some pre-wedding festivities. In addition, many groomsmen are responsible for purchasing matching suit, shirt, shoes, and ties.
Give your groomsmen something they’re appreciate long after the wedding is over, such as :
- Purchasing the tie/bow they need to wear at the wedding
- Hat
- Personalized flask
- Hand-carved knife or bottle opener
Flower Girls
Your sweet flower girls have a big job ahead of them. In fact, this may very well be the first time they’re walking down the aisle. They somehow have to manage to walk down the aisle tossing rose petals without getting distracted—which is a hard job for just about anyone.
Flower girls deserve something as special as they are, including:
- Just-her-size jewelry
- Personalized shirt or other apparel
- A dresser set
Ring Bearers
Watching over your beautiful rings for even a short amount of time is a big responsibility!
Depending on the age of your ring bearers, consider the following gifts:
- Customized baseballs, footballs or other sports equipment
- Personalized apparel
- A “ring bearer” tumbler/cup
Fathers of the Bride and Groom
The fathers of the bride and groom are tasked with walking down the aisle and giving their children away, arguably the most important job of any in the wedding party. Sure, the dads will get special boutonnieres, but they deserve the world, don’t they?
Your fathers will love and cherish these gifts forever and ever:
- Personalized handkerchiefs
- Tie pin
- Special wedding socks
- Custom bottle opener
Mothers of the Bride and Groom
It’s almost guaranteed that your mother and mother-to-be will be head-over-heels excited leading up to your big day. Whether they help with planning or give you the space to do it all yourself, your mother plays a large emotional-role for many couples on their wedding day.
Of course, your mothers aren’t looking for big, elaborate gifts. However, they deserve the world to have helped you get to where you are today. Try one of these gifts:
- Matching mother & daughter wedding jewelry
- Picture frame/memory book
- Coffee mug
- Jewelry dish
While they may not be expecting anything, your wedding party will definitely appreciate a gift with some thought.
What are your thoughts on wedding party gifts? Let us know in the comments below.