Who Gets a Gift

Planning a wedding includes doing so much.  From choosing the perfect save the date cards and wedding invitations, to choosing the perfect wedding cake, it is easy to forget a detail or two.  One detail you don’t want to forget is getting gifts for the people you most want to thank on your special day. But who gets a gift? What type of gifts are traditional and appropriate?  Here is a simple, easy guide to gifting your closest friends and family on your wedding day.

Gifts of Thanks

There is no set budget for these items and you may spend more on them if your wedding budget is large and less if you are having a small casual wedding.  Some couples choose sentimental gifts and others lean towards the more whimsical.  The key is to choose something that is appropriate to the relationship and unique to the giver.

Bridesmaids and Maid of Honor: These tokens will come from the bride.  Some brides choose to buy shoes and jewelry for their bridesmaids and ask them to wear the items on the wedding day. Bridal party jewelry doesn’t have to be expensive! Consider crystal bracelets in colors that match the wedding colors instead of diamonds.  Or the silver plated rhinestone toggle bracelet. Other brides may create spa kits to help their attendants relax after months of being there for the bride as she plans her wedding.  There are plenty of items that can be personalized with the names of the bridesmaids and are affordable. Cosmetic bags, clutch sets, manicure sets, and tote bags are very popular gifts to have customized for the bridesmaids and maid of honor.  Many brides find it convenient to have these items for themselves as well for a destination wedding or their honeymoon, so order an extra set! The options are truly endless and very affordable so you don’t have to choose just one.

Groomsmen and Best Man: These gifts come from the groom.  The traditional cuff links and monogrammed drinking glasses are still very much in style.  Some grooms are getting more whimsical and personalized with their gifts as they get more involved in the wedding planning. Personalized party coolers are great gifts for sports fans and groomsmen who love the outdoors and BBQs. A bottle opener keychain is great for a single, professional bachelor who also happens to be a groomsman. Pocket knives, multi tools and flasks are also still popular gifts for groomsmen. The gift options for the groomsmen are so fun and easy to order even the groom most reluctant to sit and order gifts will be pleased with the experience.

The Couple’s Parents: Most usually the gifts from the bride and groom go to their moms.  Usually a gift similar to the groomsman gifts will go to the father of the bride and even the father of the groom. The gifts for the moms can be similar to the bridesmaids’ gifts but often are more personal and less whimsical or practical.  A popular gift from a bride or groom to their mother is a picture album with pictures of them through the years with a page left blank for a wedding picture.  Leaving a few other pages blank is a nice gesture to show that more memories are to be made involving the moms. Don’t forget to include mom and dad when ordering corsages and boutonnieres as well.

Ring Bearer and Flower Girl:  Chances are the flower girl and ring bearer will be young children.  Gifts that will help their parents keep them entertained during the wedding festivities would probably be much appreciated.  Self contained activity kits are great for young children, while  T-shirts and tote bags are popular gifts for the smallest members of the wedding party that will be used again and again. Flower girls may appreciate their own version of a jewelry gift to be just like the bridesmaids.  A small token like a bracelet can make her feel like part of the crew.  Personalized gifts are always a big hit with children.  Whether it be stationery with their names on it or other personalized childrens’ gifts, it is sure to make them feel special and important to you on your wedding day.

For more advice and ideas of who you should be gifting among your family and friends, look for the second installment, Who Gets a Gift – Part 2

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