Calling All Past, Present, Future Bridesmaids!
January 18th, 2007 @ 1:44 pm by Mrs. Peach
Okayyyy so I was wondering, what’s the best BM gift you’ve received?
I’m kind of stuck on what to get my girls. I really like the shirts with the crystals that spell out “bridesmaid” or something of the sort. But I was thinking… if I received this as a gift, would I wear it more than once? After the wedding is over, I feel like it would get demoted to a pj top. I guess there’s nothing totally wrong with that. But I want to get them something that they will really like and make them feel appreciated. Of course, I’m on a tight budget so it’d have to be within reason.
So yeah, what was the best BM gift you recieved? (or the worst?) Or what would you like to receive if you are/will be a BM? Any particular thoughts on those crystal shirts?
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55 Responses to “Calling All Past, Present, Future Bridesmaids!”
those crystal shirts are topical…you’re right, after a while you won’t wear it. at least not in public.
my best gift was the jewelry we wore the day of the wedding and something i’d totally wear again given the right circumstance [i hardly have a reason to dress up and it's not your everyday jewerly].
though the worst was this HUGE heart-shaped candle. the thought was nice but now it’s just taking up space in my room.
i’d say, if you’re not giving them something to wear the day of, get them something small and personal to each girl. i’d prefer that to a candle any old day [unless i REALLY liked candles...but i don't. at least, not that much]. when i get married i plan on doing that for gifts.
nay on the shirts.
i would rather get something that i could wear on that day and wear again later, like maybe cute earrings or a necklace. it doesn’t have to be expensive, but maybe something to go with the outfit. maybe pay for the shoes? or maybe for a manicure right before the wedding?
I agree on the bridesmaid shirts. If it helps I’ve bought, so far, Vera Wang love knot compacts (try bed bath and beyond, you can use their 20% coupons), Lovcat wristlets and tissues with their first initial. You could buy them clutches to go with their dresses, obviously in a neatral color so they can use it again and again. Buy them those pashmina shawls … pearl jewelry … etc. I hope this helps.
I’m thinking of going the jewelry route for my BM, too. My favorite BM gift was my stepsister’s wedding– the necklace all of us wore and I love. However, for mine, I am thinking of a unique necklace for each of them in my colors. That way it’s personal, but it’s something lovely they can wear for our wedding (and again and again).
I got a necklace of a butterfly once. I definately agree with giving them something they’ll want to use/wear after the wedding.
jewelry. my bestfriend just got married and gave us each a set of black pearls - earrings and a drop pendant which matched our dresses perfectly. i wear them all the time now.
When I was a BM my favorite gift was these personalized experiences that the bride put together for all of us as a thank you for devoting all the time & energy we had into the wedding. For our group foodie she bought her cooking lessons, our pampered princess got an amazing pedicure package, I received a handful of private yoga lessons… it was just nice because she put some thought into it. 
i received jewelry to wear the day of. one was a costume jewelry set and the other was a semi-precious stone pendant. although they were both beautiful, i haven’t worn them again because they weren’t my style/taste. perhaps try thinking of something you would get them for a birthday present; something individual, yet sentimental.
great question…picked up some tips from the replies! thanks for posting! 
Well, the best gift I ever got was my bridesmaid dress! But jewelry is always appreciated, what girl doesn’t like something sparkly?
I was a bridesmaid for my cousin when I was younger. Her dresses were navy, it was tough to find a purse. She found navy purses online and got everyone a different style. I like the idea of the tank with the initial. I don’t know if I would wear a shirt that says bridesmaid after that day. No reason to waste your money on something for one day. But I would totally rock the rhinestone initial!
nay on the shirts.
i got the tiffany’s necklace with the elsa perreti letter. loved that.
one year i got running shoes, the nike ids that we got together and designed on our own. I still have em and put great use to them.
I’m not a fan of the “bridesmaid” shirts- they never get worn again. For my girls I got each of them a bed hed pj set and jewelry for the day. That way it is something that they can use again.
I think gifts that are somewhat personalized are the best, jewelry is good to, but the jewelry I’ve gotten I’ve never worn again because it wasn’t my style. And I realize I’m often the minority on things like this, but I *hate* those bridesmaids shirts. It’s bad enough bridesmaids have to wear whatever dress the bride picks out, why force them to wear a specific shirt too?
I’d have to say no to the shirts too….my favorite gifts I received as a bridesmaid was jewelry. I’ve gotten it for 4 weddings now, and I have been able to wear them all again afterwards. One of my friends gave us all really adorable makeup bags with some goodies in them that she knew we all liked. I was my one friend’s MOH and she picked up the tab for getting my hair done the say of the wedding … a nice suprise for me!
Ixnay on the shirts.
The best gifts I received were day-of jewelry and a small Coach wrist wallet. Flip flops are always nice to have too. I’m usually sick of dress shoes by the time the dancing starts!
I think the shirts are kind of overdone. I got a whole bunch of Crabtree&Evelyn lotion/bath gel stuff once, that was great, I got a wrap to go with a BM dress (also great), my sister gave out little purses that were all unique and handmade (v. cool). I think something slightly more personal is better, and it doesn’t have to be expensive.
I meant the “day” of the wedding
Sorry for the silly typo!
a jewelry box.
i’m giving my girls jewelry and pashminas.
Worst - silver shells. Dont know what they were for. They sit on my beurau and take up space.
Best - gorgeous picture frame that I used for a picture of the wedding (it was my sister’s so that made sense to have it up, otherwise I could have used it for whatever)
Best - silver necklace from Tiffany’s. I wear it everyday.
I would say nay on the t-shirt. But maybe if you love the shirt idea, instead of spelling out “Bridesmaid” it can say something else, like their initial, “girl power,” etc.
I gave my BMs a handmade semi-precious stone necklace & earrings, and a travel jewelry pouch.
Best gift I received as a bridesmaid was a gorgeous tanzanite necklace.
thanks for all your input so far!! keep em’ coming!
so far i’m paying to get their hair done on the day of the wedding. but yeah, thought i should give them something more tangible… ^_^
We got manicure and pedicures along with a light lunch the day before. We also got these really nice banana republic earrings to wear the day of. We all still wear the earrings and I’ve seen them in a lot of knot bios.
I would suggest only do the tank tops if they are inexpensive because they will only wear them once but they are cute for pictures.
I think flip flops are a very cute idea if you are getting married when it is warm.
i got a tanktop and i loved it.. but the best gift i got was a tote bag white/pink with my name on it. i use it all the time! i think if u get something personalized instead of saying “bridesmaid” it will be more usable. i got my BM tanktops from customglamgirl.com and on the front it has a heart design and says bridesmaids, and the back has the heart design with the BM’s name.. jewelry, i never wear, so all the jewelry i ever got, i wore only once =T
The best gift I got was totally thoughtful and useful - my friend gave each of us a beautiful copper pot (she’s a total foodie and picked them up in Paris at E. Dehillerin) and those adorable Bensimon lingerie bags. I use the pot all the time and the lingerie bag goes on every single trip I take.
It was so surprising because I think that most brides give gifts that are all about the wedding - these were all about saying thank you to her dearest friends and giving us something special that we wouldn’t buy for ourselves.
No no no on shirt! Anything that reminds her of how much you love her (e.g., silly pictures of the two of you framed or anything related to an inside joke, box of her favorite candy) would be the most meaningful to me. It doesn’t have to be expensive - just show her that you appreciate her as a friend, because after all, that is why she is so excited to be standing next to you on your wedding day.
I love all the comments!! As a MOH, I got some jewelry to wear on the wedding day, but I don’t think I’ve worn it since =/
For my BMs, so far I have gotten them:
- satin champagne color vintage style clutch
- chandalier earrings (possibly wearable post-wedding since they are super cute… to me at least, hehe)
- Sephora choose-your-favorite perfume gift sets
Will also get them:
- pashminas
- pay for their hairdos
Not to mention I keep wanting to get them more… doh!
Dora - I love the lingerie bag idea!!
Best- Jewelry (although you run the risk of getting them something to wear for the wedding that they would never in a million years wear in public again)
Worst- Bride didn’t give us anything (apparently the bride wasn’t a knottie or a weddingbee reader)
I have to say no on the shirt as well. I got one, wore it for one picture, then never again (you can’t even wear them while getting ready if you are getting your hair done).
Jewelry to wear day-of that can be worn again is always great. One friend got everyone the “girl” totes - one said “Golf Girl,” one said “Shopping Girl,” “Book Girl,” etc. I use mine all the time. I think they’re from Bloomingdale’s.
Duh! I just saw the other post! These are the “girls” on the tote bags. They were great!
Nay on the shirts. They will be worn once and then given to Goodwill. I’m never been a BM but I did receive a candle for being a guest book attendant. What a horrible gift. I think it can from the dollar store and smelled like poo!
I once received a pair of butterfly hair clips to use on the day of. I havent seen them since the wedding, except when I see pictures of the wedding.
I’ve gotten my BM jewelry so far, but since I know they might not use it again, I’m not really counting it as their gifts. I’m planning to make photobooks for them and get them personal gifts that suit their personalities. Wine for the wino, art supplies for another, etc. I like those “girls” tote bags, too!
I would have to say no to the shirts as well. I never ended up wearing mine (even before the wedding…because a girl doesn’t want to mess up a hairdo!)
My sis had jewelry made for all of us girls in her colors (unique to fit our personalities) and then a big LL Bean tote with our initials and a silver jewelry box with a special quote for everyone. She also filled it up with candy and stuff (which I was a little bummed about because she knows I don’t eat that kind of thing)
Something personal for each girl is best Good luck!
I just wanted to mention that picking out individualized gifts for each girl doesn’t have to be too expensive. Our gifts averaged about $34 per person, but that was just an average. I got my sister who likes to cook an Asian cookbook and 2 rice bowls w/ accessories that were on clearance. I got my other sister scrapbooking supplies. My MOH loves baking and sweets, so I got her 2 dessert cookbooks and a marble slab ice cream mixing set. Jewelry is a good idea, but only if you honestly think it’s something that they will wear again. I’ve already been informed that day-of jewelry will most likely be my gift from my sister, who’se getting married in March. Unfortunately it’s something I’m likely to wear just the one time (not that I’m complaining, just mentioning that it’s not as useful as some might want their gifts to be).
Sterling jewelry, anything from Tiffany, collection of fun/splurge toiletries for DIY spa day.
Am getting my bridesmaids:
* Their hair (not makeup)
* bag filled with: leather journal, salt & pepper shakers (personalized to something they like–i.e. I call my friend “grasshopper” and that’s her salt and pepper shaker), and makeup/lotion from my workplace (Victoria’s Secret Beauty).
I’m afraid they’ll hate their gifts, but I really really tried.
noooo to the shirts!
i think jewelry is always nice but i prefer to pick out my own jewelry…so your friend might not know your taste exactly.
i also really like the idea of luxurious pajama sets. or a nice pashmina. and i LOVE those LLbean bag thingies with initials embroidered on them and what not.
some of my favorite bm gifts i’ve received:
1. a serving/butter knife in the silver pattern of the bride, monogrammed with their initials
2. a monogrammed light-weight waffle bathrobe - use it every morning
3. a monogrammed mint julep cup that had flowers in it at the bridesmaid brunch - holds my pens and pencils on my desk now
i’ve also received jewelry and a random gift basket…
i am giving my bm’s a champagne colored coach wristlet, some lip gloss, a photo book with pictures of us, and something else (earrings, pashmina, something…) - all in a gold/champagne theme….that’s the theme of the bridesmaid brunch
I paid for my bm’s hairstyling and dresses. I gave them personalize stationary note cards in my wedding colors (pink cards with chocolate envelopes). I went to papyrus. They were about $45 for each set. While my wedding is an important day to me, the reality is for my bridesmaids, it’s only one day. And do they really want to have a photo album all about my day?!?
Since I’m getting married at the beach, I’m going a fun route with my BM. They are getting picnic baskets that have plastic plates, silverware and cups. Orginally $50, I got them on clearance at the end of the summer season last year. I’m including a beach towel inside each basket as well.
There’s a girl on the knot giving her BM’s 70 dollar silver studs from Tiffany that would be perfect and wearable beyond the wedding day.
I guess the best gift I received (as a wedding fan and scrapbooker) was a photoalbum in the wedding colors with pictures of us from her BP and shower. And then I added the wedding pics…
I have to say, I have been a BM six times (three MOH) and I am really sick of the ongoing jewelry collection. It would take pretty fantastic jewelry to want to wear it again, and none are special pieces. So, no to buying the wedding jewelry!!!
I want to get my BMs pashminas that they can wear “the day of” and enjoy long after my wedding. I am having a hard time matching the crimson red satin dresses. Any ideas on a good color/fabric match. The cashmere pashminas seem too heavy.
A big no on the shirts, either with bridesmaid or initials on them. I promise you that if you do this on the cheap, they will never be seen again.
The best BM gift I received was an Elsa Peretti bean pendant from Tiffany & Co. Pretty, but pricy. For something more affordable, definitely personalize. You can’t go wrong with frames with special pictures of you and your girl(s). There is a bunch of ideas at kodakgallery.com
Good Luck!
I carry a line by Wanda Webb that makes beautiful engraved sterling silver pendants. You can either purchase the pendant alone or purchase a a matching necklace or cute ribbon. It makes a great gift and a wonderful keepsake. The pendant can be engraved with up to three initals and costs about $36.
Sorry, forgot to mention you can also get engraved Swarovski heart shaped crystals. Check it out on my website http://www.thewritetouchonline.com
Best gift I received was an ipod mini!
I bought my girls thei dresses, shoes, hair, make-up and flip-flops!
[...] Calling All Part, Present, Future Bridesmaids by Miss Peach [...]
My favorite BM gift was a cream pashmina from J.Crew. We used it as a shawl during the ceremony. The wedding was two years ago and I still use it almost everyday.
I’m getting my girls (11 plus 2 moms) necklaces to wear on the day. I have a friend who is a jewelry designer. We’re working together with the girls personalities/styles to create pieces in the wedding colors that fit who they are - that they can wear on into the future.
My maid of honor is buying my wedding party the crystal bride’s maid shirts to wear for the Bachelorette Party.
I’m thinking of getting my girls a small canvas tote bag with their first initial monogrammed on it (you can get them all over the place, like LL Bean), and then put in a pair of flip flops and some other goodies for after the ceremony.
One (cheap) thing that I got that I really liked was a seed packet of sweetpeas, which was the flower in our bouquets.
I think the best bridesmaids’ gift is a set of coordinated jewelery to wear in the wedding. I really like the way photos look when all the maids have on the same jewelery and it’s something I can wear again, as I don’t usually buy fancy stuff for myself and my friends have good taste!
Another cool gift I’ve received was a jewelery box from Things Remembered, the engraving shop. It’s pink (the bride’s favorite color) and has a little pop-up travel clock surrounded by rhinestones and a little silver plaque with our name and the wedding date engraved on it.
Miss Peach, New Jersey/Atlanta
Age and Occupation in 07: 25, Mechanical Engineer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Student
Engagement Date: January 27, 2006
Wedding Date: March, 2007
Venue: Korean Presbyterian Church of Atlanta + Flint Hill
About Me: Mr. Peach and I started dating our senior year of high school when we both lived in Georgia. Since then, we spent 6 years in a long distance relationship. And now by the grace of God, we've made it through; we are living in the same state again (NJ) and we are gettin' married! I was originally going to ask if I could be Miss Mango bc I loveee mangos sooo much, but in the end decided to be true to my GA peach roots! woot!
I’m torn on the shirts too. I think I might get their first initial instead of “bridesmaid”.