Your bridesmaids are an essential part of not only your wedding day, but every step of the wedding-planning process. They’ll watch you try on wedding dress after wedding dress, pitch in for the bridal shower, organize a bachelorette getaway, and DIY lots of decorations—not to mention be by your side on the big day.
How do you recognize and thank them for their time, energy (and money!)? With the perfect bridesmaid gift of course!
There isn’t a right or wrong time to hand out bridal party gifts, but some of the key gift-giving opportunities are during the "bridesmaid proposal", (when you ask them to be a bridesmaid), at the bachelorette, and right before the wedding day (often during the rehearsal dinner). Often, brides give different gifts for all three events.
To help get you inspired, we created this list of unique bridesmaid gift ideas your bridal attendants will love.
The Best Bridal Party Gift Ideas
When the time comes to pick out the perfect gift for your bridesmaids, it can be overwhelming. You don’t want to get them something cheesy or too expensive, but you also don’t want to spend lots of money on something that has no thought or feeling behind it.
That’s why we put together this list of ideas to help guide you to a gift that works for your group. It’s broken into a few different categories to make it easier for you to cater to your specific needs.
Bridesmaid Gift Box Ideas
You can order premade boxes or put the contents together yourself. The former is probably quicker, but the latter allows for more creativity. These bridesmaid gifts go perfectly together in a beautiful box, bag, basket, or anything else that is on theme with the contents!
- Candle, bath salts, and a face mask
- French press or Chemex coffee maker, mug, and locally roasted coffee beans
- Teapot, mug, and loose-leaf tea
- Set of spices or sauces
- Phone case and portable phone charger or charging tray
- Travel blanket, pillow, and eye mask set
- Bottle of wine and two glasses
- Assorted handmade soap bars
- Classic novel set
- Hand trowel, hand rake, gardening gloves, and packets of seeds
- Candle set with matches
- Picnic basket with themed napkins, plates, and utensils
Personalized Bridesmaid Gifts
Personalized bridesmaid gifts make it easy to show you’ve thought about each and every friend in your bridal party.
- Monogrammed throw blanket or pillow
- Engraved cuff or bracelet
- Personalized stationery
- Special edition of their favorite book
- Personalized notebook
- Personalized camera bag
- Personalized clutch or makeup bag
- Framed photo of the two of you
- Personalized trinket or ring dishes
- Locket with their initials
- Foil-pressed map of their favorite city
Affordable Bridesmaid Gifts
Want something cute that doesn’t break the bank? Try these affordable bridesmaid gifts.
- Framed art print of their birthstone or astrological sign
- Bud vase
- Macaron cookies
- Napkin sets
- Framed print of their favorite poem or book passage
- Hand-knit scarf or blanket
- Homemade treats and snacks
- Passport tags (perfect for destination bachelorettes or weddings)
Bridesmaid Gifts (That Aren't Cheesy)
Looking for something unique that not every other bride gives their bridal party? Look no further.
- Tickets to a movie, play, or concert
- Personalized yoga mats
- Cooking class
- Fresh jam or infused honey set
- Wood serving board
- Cookbook
- Wellness journals
- Miniature succulent garden or other potted plant
Luxury Gifts for Bridesmaids
Do you want to give a bigger thank you to your bridal party? Try these luxurious bridesmaid gifts.
- Framed canvas prints
- Kindle or e-Reader
- Spa gift certificate
- Wine subscription
- Artisan chocolates
- Matching robes
- Professional massage
- Monogrammed weekender bag
- Watch or bracelet
Bridesmaid Gift Ideas By Event
In addition to those ideas, we’ve split up bridal party gifts depending on the gift you’re giving them out. You can hand out bridal party gifts whenever you’d like, but the most popular times are:
- When you ask them to be a bridesmaid (See Bridesmaid Proposal Ideas)
- A the bachelorette
- During the rehearsal dinner or right before the wedding
Gifts for the Bridesmaid Proposal
It’s your turn to propose! Show your besties how much they mean to you by asking “Will you be my bridesmaid?” in a fun and memorable way (personalize the gift even further by adding customizable tags and stickers.)
Choose a "Will You Be My Bridesmaid" card and then add:
- Jewelry personalized with their initials, birthstone, or zodiac signs
- Candle set
- Nail polishes, file, and hand cream set
- Knot-shaped earrings or necklace
- Skincare set
- “Be my bridesmaid” gift box
Gifts for the Bachelorette Party
The bachelorette might be all about the bride, but don’t forget to celebrate your squad too. These bachelorette party gifts are fun for the whole group and perfect for pre-wedding prep.
It’s a fun idea to choose gifts on themes, like beach towels for a beach bachelorette, or a personalized flask for a club scene.
- Mini spa kit (bath salts, travel candle, eye mask)
- Personalized hoodies or sweatpants
- Travel makeup kit in a personalized clutch
- At-home mani-pedi kit (nail polishes, files, hand cream)
- Sunglasses and beach towel
- Mini bottles of champagne and personalized glasses
- Monogrammed baseball hats and flip flops
- “Hangover” kit with liquid IV, Advil, and gatorade
The big day has arrived, so let your wedding VIPs know you’re grateful to have them by your side. These gifts are sure to come in handy on the wedding day but will also be useful and appreciated post-wedding, too.
- Robe or pajama set for getting ready in
- Cozy wrap or scarf
- Flask or water bottle
- Ballet flats (to change into at the reception)
- Wedding-day wedge heels or sandals
- Personalized tote
- Leather makeup bag/travel case
- Perfume
- Necklace, bracelet, or earrings you’d love them to wear the day of
Bridesmaid Gift FAQs
What are bridesmaid gifts?
Bridesmaid gifts are a way to show appreciation for the support of your bridesmaids during the whole wedding process. There are really no set-in-stone rules when it comes to bridesmaid gifts. You can give one during a bridesmaid proposal, at the bachelorette, and before the wedding, or any other time you like.
Some brides go practical and decide to pay for the bridesmaid dresses, hair, or makeup. Or, you might want to cover the bachelorette house and pay for an event on the bachelorette.
As long as you are showing your appreciation for your closest friends and family, it won’t matter when or how it happens.
Is it customary to give bridesmaids gifts?
Giving bridesmaids gifts is a long-standing tradition. It shouldn’t be a financial burden, but if you have it in your budget, spoil your friends like they’re spoiling you!
If money is tight, there are many ways to give your bridesmaids more affordable gifts. Go for something homemade, gift something they need for the wedding day, or give them a generous thank-you gift after the wedding.
How much should you spend on bridesmaid gifts?
There are no specific rules on how much to spend on a bridesmaid gift. Just make sure it’s thoughtful and comes from the heart! You don’t want to break your budget, but you want to thank your bridesmaids for all they’ve done.
It is a good idea to factor in how much financial burden the wedding will have on your bridesmaids when deciding how much to spend on them (if it’s in your budget). For example if you are having a destination wedding that requires them to take time off work and pay for a plane ticket, you might want to consider spending a little more on them than you would if you were having a wedding in your backyard.
