Bridesmaid Gift Preferences?!

Will you require them to have professional hair and make up? If so that is usually paid for by the bride and not included as a gift because it is something you have required them to do. As far as their dress I paid for one of my girls due to her financial situation, but my other bridesmaid refused to let me pay for hers. For their gift I will be putting together a little basket including a personalized tumbler with their name laser engraved, a face mask, bath bomb, eos lip balm, hair ties that are my wedding colors with the saying "to have and to hold... your hair back", and a make up bag with their names on them.

I would do option a

View Quoted Comment I'm not requiring anything in regards to hair and makeup, and I'm just going to tell them to stick to a color when getting their dress, but they can choose any style they'd like. I think it's just the practical/efficient person in me that if I was a bridesmaid I'd feel like I'd want to just have my stuff paid for instead of paying for things and then getting a gift. But getting gifts is nice too so I see both sides.

View Quoted Comment Understandable. I'm not requiring my girls to get their hair and make up done professionally so if they choose to do so they will be paying for that. I offered to pay for the dresses because I wanted a specific one from David's Bridal and both have newborns so I didn't want to make them pay for a dress to wear once, on top of both just having their first child.

I think hair & makeup would be a nice gift but I’ve honestly never heard of a bride paying for the dress, hair & makeup but I’ve only been in 2. In both the weddings I was in the brides gave us our jewelry to wear for the wedding. I’m having a DW so I’m getting my girls, there’s only 3, a tote bag to use for the travel, a make up bag & wine glass & their jewelry for the wedding. I’ll also throw in makeup wipes.

I'd choose option A

I would totally appreciate you buying my dress or paying for hair & makeup! I don’t need “stuff” as gifts.

I would love for my gift to be the dress, hair, and makeup! I agree with ^ that I don’t need more stuff.

Buying the dress is very generous of you! How many BM's do you have? I have 7 and can't afford to pay for all their dresses (7x$150.00 = $1050.00) so I will be paying for their hair on wedding day and also getting them little things to use on wedding weekend. I know they don't need more "things" but I would like to show them my gratitude.

IMO I would never ask or expect the Bride to pay for my dress and I've been in several weddings. When I accepted their invitation to be included in their wedding, I anticipated several expenses including dress, shoes, pre-wedding festivities, etc. Once again, it's very thoughtful and generous of you but no one would ever ask or expect it of you.

I think the dress is a good gift myself! I hated spending money on something I'd wear once.
You could ask them about the dress vs gift situation.

I’m not requiring any hair or make up. Half of my bridesmaids don’t even wear make up😂 but I’m 27 days out and I’m paying to all get their nails done and I’m buying a piece of jewelry for each.
just do what feels natural to you! You know your girls better than anyone

View Quoted Comment This. Option B gets my vote

If I were a bridesmaid, I'd vote B! You could also ask her girl & see their preference!

Option B 1000%!!!

I would say B but ask them if hair/makeup is something they actually want. If it's not something they want anyway, I'd replace that with a different gift.

Thank you all for your opinions! I only have two bridesmaids, so that's the only reason I'd pay for all of it hah. But you all gave me great advice, and I think I'll ask them what they'd prefer since I could see them going either way. one of them never wears makeup (and I'm fine if she doesn't wear it on wedding day too) so she may or may not be into that.

Thanks again!