Weddingbee Blog

After my traumatizing dental experience I was feeling refreshed and ready to tackle my last few DIY projects (the painkillers also helped to push progress along!) and I knew I had to get some things out of the way before Mama Cloud and my MOH got into town at the beginning of the week. With exactly one week until the wedding, I needed to get the bridal party gifts wrapped and hidden out of the way. Up first were gifts for my girls!

I was so lucky to be surrounded by seven of my closest girlfriends on my wedding day, both college and high school friends, cousins, sorority sisters and my new sister in law—all women who have been there for me through my happiest and hardest times. I didn’t know if I would be able to thank them enough for everything they have done for me both during the wedding planning and before. So, for months I felt like Oprah collecting items for her “favorite things” episode. Too bad I’m not absurdly rich or I would have given them cars like she does! Instead, I was a poor bride on a budget and they ended up with goodies on a much smaller price scale.

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Sorry for the less-than-fabulous picture but I was a bride on a time crunch! Since it’s a little hard to tell what all of that is, let me break it down a bit and tell you how I tried to save some change without sacrificing the quality of what I wanted to give. Up first was the bag, I knew I would go nuts if I didn’t limit myself to what could fit in the bags. Mama Cloud found the perfect bag from Ballard Designs: the Ballard Tote Bag in Medium.

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They come in a variety of colors and sizes with different monogram options, but since most of my gals are single I went with first initial only. This way if they change their last name later the monogram would still work. And I did black with white letters to stick with our wedding colors. They were a huge hit! Mama Cloud is on their mailing list and had codes for free monograms and shipping… score! (Bags =$20.00 each)

Being that our wedding was in November and the ladies would be in short, sleeveless dresses I knew they might be a little chilly. I adore pashminas and have an assortment of colors. You can find these things for $100+ each, but being the cheapo that I am, I just can’t spend that kind of money on a shawl. I normally find the “knock off” versions which are a pashmina/silk blend with a much lighter price tag.

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Cruise ships, airports, and the streets of good old NYC are a great place to buy in bulk. They are available in hundreds of colors, but again, I went with black to work with their dresses. Mama Cloud’s good friend picked these up on a cruise for me and got an amazing deal of three for $10! (Pashminas = $3.33 each)

You already know I love me some jammies! Last summer I was browsing Target.com’s clearance section (what, you don’t do that?) and came across the perfect jammies to give my girls. I don’t have an individual picture of these but they are hanging over the bag on the left in the top picture. Who knew Valentine’s PJs on clearance in August would match everything else so well! A quick Google search for a free shipping code also helped. (Jammies = $7.99 each)

Mrs. Gloss posted about these on the blog, after seeing MrsPaetz’s post about them on the boards. So, I was a copycat and made these gorgeous monogrammed hangers. It was so easy and people kept asking where I bought them… love that.

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All I had to buy was a pack of hangers from IKEA. $4.99 for 8, and it was meant to be, regardless of the fact that I forgot to tell the girls how to use them, so I have no pictures of them in action. (Monogrammed Hangers = $0.62 each)

The shoes I picked out for the girls to wear that were 3 1/2” tall, so flip flops were needed.

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Thank you Old Navy for your variety of colors and discount sales. (Total = $2.50 each)

At the last minute I threw in Ms. Manicure emery boards that come in a little carrying case. I bought them at Five Below the day before my root canal while I was procrastinating doing actual wedding tasks. I love these things because they keep my Blackberry from getting scratched up.

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You will love them too. I promise. I’ve also seen them in Target and Urban Outfitters. (Total = $1.00 each)

The splurge item was probably my favorite part. I love Coach bags, which also makes me love Coach Outlet stores. I love even more when they put a good price on fabulous little wristlets.

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Obviously I bought them in black, but this red is so cute I want one of theses now, too! Sign up for the Coach Outlet email list and they send coupons for an additional 20% off regularly. (Total = $29.99 each)

After buying so many little things I started to get a crafty urge. One visit to Paper Source and a Gocco session later, each maid had personalized note cards. I made each different colors and fonts to match their personalities.

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Each got a set of 20, which required two packs of A2 envelopes and one pack of A2 flat note cards. I used Gocco supplies and inks I already owned. I’m giving an approximate total here because I waited and bought ALL paper products for the wedding at once and took advantage of all Paper Source’s bulk discounts, so the true price is a bit less. (Total = about $10.25 each)

Last but not least: what is in that little red box? Jewelry! I have no knowledge of jewelry making, but I knew what I wanted to do, so I walked into Michaels and asked the woman in the bead section for some help. The supplies were a bit expensive, especially since I wanted nicer pearl beads. So, I waited for sales and used coupons one by one to bring the costs down as much as I could. I have no shame; one 40% off coupon a day is the way to go.

(Image of my gorgeous SIL courtesy of Oriole Photography)

It was pretty easy, and I added some pearl earrings I found on eBay. It was a perfect set. (Total = $26.50 each give or take a few pennies)

I packed everything up and hid them away in a closet. I literally could not wait to hand them out at the rehearsal dinner. I spent a total of $82.18 per maid, which was not bad if I do say so myself, since I could have easily spent so much more. It also helped a lot that I bought the items and supplies over the course of our year and a half engagement.

What did you give your ‘maids and how did you find ways to save on their gifts?