I wanted to throw in a plug for an unusual bridesmaid gift I chose for my upcoming wedding, which I’m really happy with. Paloma’s Nest (also on etsy- what an awesome resource!) http://www.etsy.com/view_listi.....id=9280152
will personalize these lovely handmade bowls and plates with whatever type you want, so that each bridesmaid can have something special to her specifically, and they’ve been really lovely to deal with, helping me to add gorgeous custom wooden gift boxes, somehow magically anticipating the addition of a new bridesmaid by making a spare ‘just in case’, and just overall giving me an amazing customer experience.

We went the super lazy route: we bought each of our bridesmaids gifts on our honeymoon. Basically, as we traveled (roadtrip from Key West to Savannah), we stopped and shopped for everyone. It took the hassle out of thinking about it pre-wedding, and I think made it a little more individual, if a little less wedding-y.

For my maid of honor (at the time 17), I bought a cloth box and small matching photo album a year before the wedding. Then I spent the year filling it up with small things I knew she’d like. When I gave it to her I explained that each item represents when I was thinking of her. Then after the wedding I filled up the matching album with pictures of her and us. It was about $100 to do, but I only had one attendant, so it was easy to personalize it.

For my wedding last September, we bought the bridesmaids their dresses and the groomsmen their suits. Sometimes that stuff can be pricey and I hate that it’s “tradition” that they are supposed to buy that stuff themselves! Even better, I made sure the dresses were super cute so they would wear them again. You can never have enough little black dresses, and this one had some memories behind it

I was in a wedding where we got a cute gift bag full of all different cute little things. It included the jewelry to wear in the wedding, which I thought was really nice. Each one was a little different based on our personalities.

But honestly the most useful thing in the gift bag was a bunch of funky cards and stationary. She had mixed and matched different styles. You wouldn’t think this would be super awesome, but as like the only stationary and cards I own, whenever I have to write a thank you letter — which isn’t often, but happens occasionally - I’m wicked psyched to have this little store of stuff to choose from.

I don’t remember what else was in the bag, but those were the things I found super useful and still use.

I got my bridesmaids’ gifts from the Sanrio online store, we’re all anime nerds… I got them Kuromi compacts and make-up bags. I got the flower girl(my daughter) a My Melody wallet, comb and mirror set.

YAY for Etsy!! I got the bulk of my attendants’ gifts, plus my wedding jewelry on Etsy! The ladies got personalized clutches filled with things like mini mineral makeup kits, goat’s milk soap & a crocheted face cloth, hand lotion, perfume oil, etc. Most of the stuff was bought on Etsy. All the women said they appreciated having a little kit to take with them to freshen up before the afterparty.

The groomsmen got the ties that we wanted them to wear. Each was black, silkscreened in silver ink, but we chose a different design for each groomsmen. They all loved that approach, and all have said they can’t wait to wear their ties again. And all the vendors I’ve worked with have been so friendly and awesome to work with. If I hadn’t been marrying my delicious husband, I would totally marry Etsy! The whole site! LOVE.

All my bridesmaids got necklaces from this site: http://www.smallthingsdesigns.com/

I chose the background color to match the dresses, but each design was different, to match their unique personalities!

wow. how awesome are surf lessons??? and smallthings jewelry is *gorgeous* — my gift-giving is starting to sound more like… one for you… and two for me… {{ maniacal hand-rubbing cackle }}

just wanted to write a teensy note with a *huge* thank-you to ariel for inviting me over to play and to everyone kind enough to read and to share their ideas! you rock. thank you for making this so much fun.

yay offbeatbride!

Eh… I don’t want to sound cheap here, but I was a little disturbed by the commercialism of this post (even if it is lovable etsy commercialism.) I love and adore my brides-folk — but if I were to get them each a present at $70 a pop, I’d add about 20% to our wedding budget. It’s really hard to figure out something truly special without digging myself into debt; my heart is bigger than my pocketbook. Don’t know if anyone else feels the same way, just want to share.

How about having a party where all of the girls get together and make lariat necklaces and matching bracelets using an eclectic grouping of beads. Each necklace can still be different but similar. It’s fun and then it makes a great gift that they can wear on the wedding day. (you buy the beads and tools). We did it for my sisters wedding 8 years ago and I still have it and wear it!

i’m knitting all of my bridesmaids socks and the groomsmen hats. of course, if you don’t know how to knit already - this would be totally the wrong time to learn!

i also bought earrings and custom bags from an esty shop (piano nobile). i find that if you ask for custom items on etsy and have a reasonable amount of time, people love to be a part of special events!

I think a nice thing to do (this is what I plan to do at my wedding) is to give them a nice card to tell them that a small donation has been made in their name to …..[insert charity name here]. This way the recipient of the gift doesn’t have to feel obligated to not lose/keep or use the cheesy-ass gift given to them and you’ve also donated your money to a good cause. [TWO BIRDS....ONE STONE :)]