Wedding Blog

Because I love my bridesmaids and maids of honor so very much, I decided to give them a few of my favorite things. Now, unfortunately for them, my favorite things were a lot less abundant more edited than, say, when Oprah does her “favorite things” episode but, let’s face it, I’m not Oprah. (quelle horreur!)

I did give them a couple of things that I thought they’d like, though, and packaged them in the piƒ¨ce de rƒ©sistance, a monogrammed LL Bean tote, in my (slightly modified) wedding colors.

Of course, autumn having come and gone, these colors are no longer available, but LL Bean has adorable spring colors and it’s really fun to mix-and-match them. The specs on the tote i chose? Large size tote w/over the shoulder handles, zip-top (because what my girls are toting is nobody’s business!), outside pocket and, of course, a monogram* (that’s how I roll). The colors I chose were teal and mulberry, to evoke my bridesmaid dresses (aubergine and aqua by Thread).

Inside the totes were the perfect tools for relaxing after the hoopla of the wedding:

A Josie Cozy Wrap robe, for getting ready in day-of (not that I was trying to control-freak on the matchy-matchy front for getting-ready photos, or anything. Ahem.) I got the girls’ robes in light blue and one for myself in ivory (keeping in line with my wedding dress). They are the softest things ever and I am glad I did spring for one for myself. I live for this thing!

Along the comfort lines, I also tossed in an Archipelago Botanicals candle in my favorite scent: Grapefruit and Hyacinth

(You can’t love the way this candle smells–I tracked it down after walking into a Lower East Side store and smelling its incredible scent. It was like in those cartoons, where the pie on the windowsill sends out tentacles of aroma that lure you in. Trust me, I exaggerate not!) I found that Candle Delirium had amazing prices, and they shipped promptly and everything was well packed. (They also have free shipping and gift wrap on orders over $75, so…)

We handed out gifts at the rehearsal dinner but kind of, sort of forgot to give them out until the eleventh hour (i.e. after a couple of people had left). Oops! They were a big hit though (as were the groomsmen’s gifts, but more on those later) and Lil’ E even modeled her robe on the spot. (Ok, maybe I twisted her arm just a bit. I’m all about the photo ops…)

Picking bridesmaids’ gifts was quite a struggle and I had moments where i wanted to do something novel (a cheese class at Murray’s or knife skills at the Institute for Culinary Education), but in the end I went with the tried and true that I knew the girls would a) love (well, ideally) and b) be able to use regularly.**

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* full disclosure: I didn’t give the CaliSister a proper monogram and but rather her abbreviated name “LIZ” instead. I did this since her true intials are kind of beat not as cute (too many vowels!!).

** a spot check to my brother’s and Erika’s apartment revealed the candle in use, so boo-ya!