Bridesmaid Gifts-Not Sure How Much Is Enough?

There are actually two answers to this question. #1 is to have the bridal party you can afford (taking into consideration gifts, the rehearsal dinner, hair and makeup (if you insist - which means you should pay), and bouquets - not to mention the cost of them attending as guests. Since you have already invited them to be a part of your wedding, then go with option #2, which is to give them gifts you can afford. There are truly no strict rules about what you should buy your wedding party, although some thank you gift is required. I only had an MOH. Her gifts totaled over $200, but she was only one person. I was in a wedding once with 9 bridesmaids. We were each given a tote bag with a beach towel, sunscreen and a pair of flip flops to wear at the reception. It was a beach themed wedding, and I loved it.

I love you Karen. For Hannah, it's a little late, but for the rest of you factoring friendships vs family vs aggregation and budget, keep the bridal party small.

If you only pick the people nearest and dearest, you won't mind spending on them. I'd say 50.00 at the least, considering whether they are traveling, staying over, etc. if you want pro makeup, yes you pay. They'll be invited to the rehearsal dinner with guests, the reception, with guests, and any after parties with guests. They will need flowers. It all adds up.

The short answer is 50.00.

I have 4 in my bridal party. I ordered earrings for each girl. They were originally $80, but I got them on sale for $35 each. I also plan to order them custom robes from Etsy to wear in pictures, which I think will be a nice thing for them to keep afterwards. Those will cost about $35 each. Nothing silly with "bridesmaid" written on it. Just nice things they can use again.

More important than how much you spend is the thought and effort you put in to it, IMO. Its okay to something small and simple if it's heartfelt. Ideally, hopefully, your BMs are there to support you, not for the swag, and a personal sincere expression of thanks is all that's required.

I thought about doing a pair of earrings for the wedding, and letting that be it, just to keep it simple, but I wasn't sure if that was considered "not enough".

I have 7 bridesmaids and spent about $30 on each. I got each a pearl necklace and earrings which will be used for the wedding and can also be worn after if they choose. I also got them a clutch or makeup bag. However they choose to use it, with their name embroidered on the inside. I found those on etsy.

I'm spending about $50-60 on each so far, I can see me buying more. I'd say spend what you can afford but this is something that should of considered before hand. Check out the Knot shop there's a lot of cute, inexpensive, yet thoughtful ways to say thank you without breaking the bank. Some just get a monogrammed makeup bags and fill it with a few of their BMs favourite cosmetics like nail polish, lip stick, files etc. You can get great multibuy deals at bath and body works too. Good luck!

I went the personal/thoughtful route for all wedding related gifts. I bought Chanel prints to frame and hang for my MOH because she's a model and into high end designers. For our reader I bought a scarf with a quote from her favorite book because she's an English teacher. Both still gush about their gifts being "them".

Hannah i think the pair of earrings is fine, its a token of appreciation to say hey--thanks for being here for me. do what you can afford. if i were a bridesmaid i wouldn't sign up for the job expecting to get a nice or pricey gift out of it.

I stocked up at the knot shop and got several monogrammed trinkets, but I'm only having 3 people in my bridal party. I also purchased rhinestone necklace end earring sets for them to wear during the ceremony. And I agree with Angel regarding not expecting a pricey gift. The last wedding I was in, I believe we got jewelry and monogrammed candles from Things Remembered. Nothing expensive, just a little token of appreciation.

That's a great idea Shan! That gives several smaller gifts but at a reasonable rate! I'll check that out!

I am getting them real pearl necklaces and possibly Sephora gift cards. I know monogrammed stuff and "bridesmaid" robes go straight to Goodwill so I am not even going to bother.

Definitely great suggestions guys! I know my bridal party is on the large side, but it was due to having a big family. And all family is always involved in weddings. So it was a family tradition kind of deal. Which is fun, since I've been a part of all of theirs, but now the cousins get to be a part of my day as well! I think I'll be checking out Etsy and the Knot shop! (: Thanks so much guys!

I bought mine fresh water pearl necklaces-$10 each, their favourite bottle of wine which thankfully is $15 and a wine glass each-$1. I have a MOH and one bridesmaid.

I really despise people that put "prices" on an expected gift. Its a gift for heaven's sake!! Your bridesmaids should not be expecting a fancy shmancy gift from you. Its honor enough to be in the wedding.

I'm just doing personalized tote bags, shawls for them to wear at the ceremony (the pricest part of their gift), and will make either a hand/body scrub for them or give a piece a jewelry. I want everyone to have something different. Might to tumblers too....if i can find it cheap...

Planning on not spending more than $30 per maid. I have 5 that's a lot for me.

and NO GIFT is "innappropriate". So sick and tired of the brides that say a gift can't be a "wedding related item". If I were a bridesmaid I would LOVE a gift that would remind me of being in that wedding.

Give what you can afford, make them something special, you don't need to go overboard with gifts.

I had a super hard time figuring something out for my BMs. I loved the idea of giving them robes with their initials or even with BM on it, but I thought that would be a little too expensive (since we are having one wedding in the EUA and another one in Brazil). I got them a DIY mini basket with lipsticks, mini bottle of champagne and their favorite alcohol, nail kit ... It actually was easy and it came out great! I got the baskets on amazon and all the make up at CVS

I have a moh and one other bridesmaids.

Each are getting a customized tote, necklace, wine glass and their preferred bottle of alcoholic beverage. I'm looking at $50-$60 depending on their alcohol.

Same numbers for grooms party. They're getting customized flask, alcohol of their choice, and a survival knife. $40 ish each depending on alcohol.

Shop deals. And stay within budget is my advice.

I think we set out not to break our budget as well as trying to find something personal for them. We got the groomsmen each a beer stein that are custom to match their likes (cowboys, fishing, soccer), $70 each and then the girls so far are getting a coffee table book that'll have a note from me in it as well as I've got to get something else for them! It's hard though! Try something you know they'll use again but will be within budget. Earrings are great but maybe a tote or tumbler? Maybe try a picture frame that they can put a pic on from the wedding?

Honestly, for years, jewelry for the wedding has been enough. But between Pinterest and WW, you feel like an ass if that's what you do. I would suggest maybe the earrings and a $25 gift card to their favore store or restaurant.

A box of chocolate or a pair of ear rings, anything that can show your sincerity but will not cost so much.