Bridesmaids gifts

[Pirate's Princess]

So I checking my email today and got my usual one from the knot message boards (which I never check) but there was one about bridesmaids gifts so I checked it out. The women on there were sayin how paying for the bm dress was NOT a gift for the girls but instead a gift for the bride and you need to buy another thing as a gift. I was really shocked. I can't think of a better thank you gift than saving them $100+. Any opinions?

 

[Boston Disney Bride]

I am planning on buying them each and the mothers a vera bradley tote and filling it with a pair of flip flops, makeup, a tank that I made them, some hair accessories and a gift card for dinner in disney.

 

[weedee]

I definitely think buying their dress is a gift. I am buying my MOH's dress and expressed it to her that it's a gift. However, I also let her choose whatever dress she wanted and thought that she's wear again (within my color guideline). I think if you choose their dress that they might hate or never wear again, then that might not be an awesome gift just because they're not getting use out of it. But in the same sense, it is a gift because THEY didn't have to pay for it.

Although I'm buying my MOH's gift, since she's my only bridal party member (other than our best man), I've also purchased her a couple extras for the day of including a hair flower and clutch. I might get her a Vera Bradley travel organizer. But at this point I'm just spoiling her, lol.

 

[bunny_pop]

Hmmm, each to their own, but I feel that would also be a present for them. I don't think you need buy them additional items unless you wanted to. I think of Vera Bradley purses as well for my girls

 

[lpizzuro123]

My girls purchased their own dresses - and all weddings I have been in I have purchased my own dress.

I gave my girls a bunch of things. Swarovski Mickey Necklaces,

personalized Disney Mickey watches with red bands - we gave the same to the guys but with black bands,

a Disney bag that I had purchased at The Disney Store - great price on sale. We gave the guys red personalized duffel bags from Disneyshopping online.

I also gave them red sunglasses in white sunglass cases and we gave the guys black sunglasses with red sunglass holders. They all wore these for the wedding.

and white flip flops with red Mickey crystals (not to wear for the wedding - just to wear on vacation) and I am sure a few other things also.

Yeah - it was alot of things and I definately went overboard but everytime I saw something I picked it up. I also did not give them everything at the same time. The first time we went out dress shopping for them and then out to lunch I gave them all the sunglasses. I gave them the bag another time with all the info they needed for the wedding - timeline, resort info, rehearsal time, and other activities. It just seemed to blossom. The disboards made me do it

Of course as you can tell - every time I got something for them - I got it for myself also.

Linda

 

[hesedshi]

What wonderful ideas and gifts!

 

[PrincessShea]

I got my BMs their dresses, necklaces, and I paid for their hair/makeup. I don't feel bad not getting them a gift. Granted they were my sisters, so I don't know how that affects the whole dynamic.

 

[twiu]

I dont think there are set rules on this.

I bought my bm's their dresses because I felt it was ridiculous they had to spend money on them and fly to Disney, pay for hotel rooms, etc.
I then bought them presents too.. but got them individual gifts that I knew each of them would enjoy - not the same present for all. They are my best friends, I didn't have to do anything... I did what I wanted and I know they appreciated it.

I say do what you want to do and go from there. If you don't get them a present (asides from the dress), write them a nice thank you card and give it to them. Your appreciation in words will mean so much more than a gift. At least it would to me.

 

[ColeV]

I bought my BMs the fabric for their gowns (they made and designed their own). I made their coats/caplets/muffs and we paid for their rooms.

 

[lpizzuro123]

I bought my BMs the fabric for their gowns (they made and designed their own). I made their coats/caplets/muffs and we paid for their rooms.

I just saw some photos of your girls dresses with the coats and stuff and that is amazing that they made their own.

Linda

 

[Bridie1996]

I only had a MOH, and as I mentioned to you, she purchased her own dress. I gave her free reign though on what she purchased, as long as it was the right color. I was shocked to find out how much the dress she chose was. If I had actually chosen a dress I never would have asked her to pay that much!

For gifts, I had the jewler who made my engagement and wedding bands make a necklace and earring set for her, with green swarovski crystals. I also got her a green satin clutch and a personalized LL Bean Canvas tote which is what I put everything in. And, I paid for her hair, make-up and dress steaming.

oH! and DH and I each got a present for the other's attendant. For the BM, I got a pair of Stormtrooper cuff links and wrote him a nice note, and for the MOH he went into Japan in Epcot and got her a pair of the nice chopsticks since she is a big fan of sushi and uses the throw-away ones all the time.

 

[lpizzuro123]

I made each an 8x8 Shutterfly hardcover photobook with about 50 pages of pictures from the wedding.

Linda

 

[figmentfan0724]

I did not buy my girls dresses as I have 6 attendants but I am getting them personalized tote bags, makeup bags and a bunch of little stuff to go in it. I do believe if. You chose to buy their dress for them it should be considered a gift.

 

[*Pixiedust1438*]

I have always paid for my own BM dress in the weddings I have been in, and my girls will be paying for their own. If I were a BM and the bride bought me my dress I would deff. not be expecting an additional gift!

 

[Pirate's Princess]

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. I think we'll probably do the dresses and maybe another gift (if we can afford it) like a Disney gift card. It's important to me for all the girls to look different and show their personality, which I think they would be able to buy things and show than me. I'm giving them a choice of 3 dresses and 3 colors so hopefully they will all find something they like. You guys have a lot of excellent alternatives though. Thanks!

 

[sunset30]

We have having a best man and a best woman (I hate the term "matron of honour"
DP is buying the BMs shirt, and I have bought him a good watch (we asked what he would like)
I am not buying the best woman's dress, although I have said she can wear what she chooses, given that she knows what colour my dress is. If I were specifying what dress she should wear then i would feel obliged to buy it. I HAVE bought her some hand made, high end pearl drop earrings, with rare copper coloured pearls. She will also have the $125 bouquet to match mine.
All in we spent around £100 on him, and £200 on her, and I think that is fairly generous?
Lx

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I would think buying their dress was something you wanted to do, but wasn't necessarily a gift....
I just say this as my opinion, because I bought my bridesmaids dresses because I felt it was the right thing to do......
Mind you, their gifts are nothing huge or expensive.... candles, monogrammed tissues, mints and pins....

It's all up to you really

 

[Pooh Friend]

I am getting my bridal party individual gifts from arribas brothers. A week before they want me to call and order the gifts and they will deliver them to my hotel. For my MOH I am getting a small crystal cut Sorcerer Mickey, for BM a mug with his name engraved and the date and for the Bridesmaids an etched disney glass with with their names and the date -- for the flower girl I am getting a Cinderella glass crystal slipper with the date etched in.

 

[VAN]

These days what is "proper" has really been thrown out the window. So much depends upon your income, the income of those in the wedding party, local customs, etc.

If I were in your wedding and you paid for my dress, I'd be THRILLED!!

 

[Ann117]

I would think paying for the dresses would be good enough. Other weddings I have been in the gift was jewelry to wear with the dress. But i decided instead of getting our wedding party gifts since we are going to be in Florida we would give them an experience instead something they may never get to do again. So the day after the wedding we are having a dessert party just for the wedding party.