What Are The Golden Rules When Choosing Gifts For Your Bridesmaid?

Your wedding is one of the biggest and most important days of your life, but we all know it wouldn’t be as special without the contribution of your bridesmaids. If you’re eager to show them how much you care, then why not get a special gift?

In this blog, we’ll take a quick look at some of the golden rules to remember when you choose your personalised bridesmaid gifts, as well as providing a few suggestions we stock at GiftPup.

Gifts Are A Reflection Of The Bride

Always remember that your gift options should be a reflection of you, so you can definitely make them extra-personal. There are no solid rules as to what you should be gifting, but personalisation is always a popular option for this very reason. This personalisation can extend as far as including both your name and the name of your bridesmaid, or more generalised references to your bridesmaids as a unit or ‘squad’.

Don’t feel like you have to change your personality in the gifts you give. If you’re a fun-loving person, then find something equally as fun to give your bridal party. If you prefer to keep things classic, then you’ll also have an array of gift options at your fingertips.

Decide When To Give Your Gift

When you decide to present your bridesmaid gift will depend on many different factors. Some brides like to treat their bridesmaids at their hen party, while others save their gifting for the wedding day itself.

This will largely be decided on the format of your wedding – some don’t provide much room for gift-giving, and to many brides, the fun-filled nature of a hen party is the perfect time to treat their bridesmaids. If you do decide to leave it until the wedding day, then consider placing your bridesmaid gifts beside their table settings as a special surprise, or take the time to chat to each bridesmaid individually when presenting the gift.

Consider Practicality

What gift you select will largely depend on the kind of wedding you're having, as there are a few practical considerations to take into account. If you’re waiting until the wedding day, and its an active day where the bridesmaids have nowhere to store a larger gift, then you'll need to choose something which can be carried in a small bag or safely stowed in a pocket.

Consider placing the gift in a decorative bag or box, and providing a space where your bridesmaids can leave these items if required. After all, you don’t want them to lose the presents you’ve just given them, or make them feel like they can’t join in with the rest of the day for fear or their beautiful new gift being discarded.

Match The Gift To Your Wedding

Aesthetically, you could choose something to match the colour scheme or atmosphere of your wedding day – providing a little continuity and a nice added touch. If you’re unsure what to buy, look for decorative details to make your gift stand out while still reminding the bridesmaids of the wedding day.

If you have time to prepare, then this aspect of your gift giving can be very specific and meticulously planned, but if you find that you are running low on time when selecting bridesmaids gifts, choose something neutral and adaptive which will work no matter the style of wedding you have or your surroundings.

Make It Celebratory

Weddings are cause for celebration, so the gifts you choose should be just as celebratory in nature. Make it fun, and treat your bridesmaids to an item they can use for celebrations in future, like a decorative wine glass or shot glass. This is a gift that can also be used for future celebrations and get-togethers, providing a fun opportunity to reminisce as well.

Mix-And-Match Gifts

If you’d rather give a few smaller items rather than one big gift, then go ahead. This is another wonderful way to make your bridesmaids feel valued, and also allows you to get more creative with your options. This ‘stocking filler’ approach to bridesmaid gifts leaves scope for everything from jewellery to tiny but impactful items like notebooks, miniature perfume and dainty accessories -with the bride able to choose pieces which will appeal to their bridesmaids as individuals.

Select Permanent Gifts

Instead of choosing a gift which can be consumed (like food or drinks), think in terms of the permanent nature of the gifts you select. While some great gifts will include an edible element (such as wine glasses and a bottle of bubbly), the main element should always be the bit which they’ll be able to treasure for many years to come. Your wedding day is meant to be memorable, and the gifts you give should be just as long-lasting.

GiftPup Recommendations

At GiftPup, we stock plenty of fantastic gifts sure to make your bridesmaids feel special, and each item can be personalised with their name. Here's some of our top picks for busy brides...

Bride Squad Champagne Flute

This delightful champagne flute can be engraved with the name of your bridesmaid and includes three Swarovski crystals for added lustre. Its a great gift she'll be able to use time and again, and has a 'Bride Squad' design which will always remind her of the pivotal role she played in your big day.

Vibrant Flower Large Bridesmaid Box

This decorative box comes complete with the name of your bridesmaid and a stunning floral design. Its a flexible gift which provides plenty of scope for treating your bridesmaids, whether you choose to fill it with additional gifts or leave empty for her to use as storage for mementos of the wedding day.

Initial Silver Heart Pendant

A wonderful way to say thank you, this delicate heart pendant is small enough to be discretely gifted on your wedding day, and includes a box with the initial and first name of the recipient. Its an infinitely wearable piece with plenty of timeless appeal.