Weddingbee Blog

I like the concept of giving each member of the wedding party a little something to say “thank you” (because they are investing time and money) and “you’re awesome.”

Gifts for BM E and MOH R (top row), BM P and BM K (bottom row)

Deciding what to give to my bridesmaids was a gradual process. In the end, I decided to gift each a necklace to wear at the wedding and an assortment of useful things (mostly stationery items) from Japan. The stationery gifts were a reflection of my interests (paper lover = me) and also allowed me to pick items to suit each ladies’ taste. Each gift bag included…

• A stationery set (chosen to match each BM’s taste/style)
• Animal-shaped paperclips
• Facial blotting tissues (such things always come in handy)
• A small box (to store hairpins or whatever; also very handy)
• Something cutesy from Japan: mini message cards, colorful page markers, or sushi magnets
• A daruma
• And most importantly: a necklace

{screen shot from dogeared}

The necklaces are from Dogeared, which has made some of my favorite everyday jewelry pieces. I looked around the internet for single pearl necklaces, and really liked the keshi pearl design because it’s a little different. I think the style is simple and timeless, and I really hope that my bridesmaids will wear them again after the wedding.

Mr. Bracelet debated groomsmen gift options for a long time. He made his final decision a lot closer to the wedding than I was comfortable with—but hey, it’s his thing, not mine. You have to know that Mr. B absolutely loves Leatherman tools. He owns at least three! Mr. B picked out the Leatherman Skeletool because he liked how light yet functional it was.

It weighs only five oz. and includes two types of pliers, two types of wire cutters, knife (with smooth and serrated blade), clip/bottle opener, and screw driver. Mr. B also had the name of each groomsman engraved on it.

We know that the Leatherman tool met with high approval. Our witness KJ (from our German civil ceremony)—who is in the Army—raves about it. He claims that it brings just the right tools for clipping, screwing and cutting things on the go without being cumbersome (like some Army-issue tools are, apparently).

What did you give/are you giving to your wedding party? And if you’ve been in a wedding party before yourself, what was the best gift you’ve received?