Bridesmaid Gifts

I gave my ladies shower sets and candies - but you should shop like it's their birthdays (and avoid things that say bridesmaid, bride tribe, etc. that they won't use after the wedding). Remember anything they're using for the wedding (jewelry, etc.) is not really for them, so it doesn't count toward the gift.

You didn't "fail" to do the proposal - those came into fashion with social media culture - just asking them is enough. They may not help you plan (they may, but a lot of people come on here and complain that their BMs aren't helping, and it isn't really their job, it's yours and FS's). It is customary to give bridal party gifts at the rehearsal or some other time right before the wedding.

I would save the gifts for the wedding day or rehearsal dinner! The formal proposals are not required, so don't feel like you need to get them something for that.


As for what to get them, what are their interests? You could get each person something slightly different, depending on what they each like? I got my bridesmaids each a tote bag, customized lightweight hoodie (they each picked the color they wanted, along with any wording/designs), a bracelet, hangover kit, and a tumbler/mug/water bottle (each person got something different based on their individual interests).

I didn't do proposal boxes, cause personally I think they are silly. I'm giving my girls their gifts at the rehearsal dinner. This is what I've created:

- Custom tote bags (nice sturdy stands up on their own ones) with their names embroidered on them

-In purse organizer bags with their initials that I'm filling with a small compact mirror (which is the color of their dress and has their name on it), tide stick, and travel sized aspirin/tums/bandaids, and little chopsticks that say "bride squad" (the only thing that has anything wedding themed on it) (these are things I always have in my purse, so I'm giving them it too!)

-necklaces I had custom made for them to wear at the wedding

-Personal gift - I bought them each something that I thought they'd like (one is obsessed with Disney so I got her mouse ears, another loves the beach and coffee so I got her a hand poured resin coffee mug that looks like the beach etc).

I also got plain black robes (nothing added to them) and stemless champagne flutes with their names on them to use as we are getting ready. But those I'm going to keep at my airbnb for the next day. With the exception of the chapstick - nothing says bride/bridesmaid or any such thing. My fiancé's grooms presents say these more - but just in the boxes that hold them. I wanted gifts that I knew they would use outside of just the wedding. I probably spent more than average on them, but a) I was having way too much fun shopping on Etsy and b) I'm an "older" bride (I'm in my mid/late thirties) and all my ladies have been my ride or die for a long time.

Proposal boxes are a new thing, following the social media trends. I would gift them things that aren't props for wedding photos. I would shop like it's their birthday, and not everyone needs the same gift. Good luck in your search!

Definitely agree that you shouldn't get anything with bridesmaid etc on - although by your request for unique suggestions I imagine this wasn't your plan anyway!

You can definitely focus on things they'd like - it doesn't have to match!

Or if you'd like to do 'the same but different' gifts I would consider things like personalised water bottle/tumbler, constellation/star sign/birth stone bracelet (or other jewelry), hand/wash/tote bag with their name/initials or relevant cute personalised home items like a jewelry dish.

Other options would be art/pictures but only you know whether your friends would actually want something to put up on their wall (that they didn't choose themselves!).

I am giving them there gifts boxes the morning or the day before the big day. I need to make a final decision lol lol. But I gave them all thing that they can use every day. From candles and bags and they have sahas to wear that morning and robes

I didn’t do proposal boxes but I did give them gift bags that included jewelry (necklace and earrings) and a robe the morning off the wedding.

Don’t feel bad about skipping the proposal boxes because they’re a recent Pinterest/Instagram trend to make you spend more money unnecessarily and feel less than if you don’t give them. Plus they pressure people to say yes on the spot without any consideration whether they can or want to participate, and the expensive items are rarely kept. The best way to ask your ladies is in person over coffee or some other outing or via phone call if they are located further away. Before you ask, make sure that their budgets and your expectations are crystal clear and agreed on that they mesh.


As far as bridesmaid gifts, those are thank you gifts reserved to be given at the rehearsal dinner. The plethora of “wedding related” stuff that you find online will not be kept 9 times out of 10. Things such as robes/pjs/totes/jewelry/covering wedding expenses for them, etc are all props for your wedding, not gifts for them. The best thank you gifts have nothing whatsoever to do with the wedding, but rather are are related to their individual interests in their everyday lives. For example, what would you buy if it was their birthday? What are their interests and hobbies? Get something associated with that so that your money doesn’t go to waste.

My advice would be to scroll through Etsy to see if anything piques your interest. I got my bridesmaids zip hoodies and leggings with monograms and slippers with their names on them to get ready in. We're not having professional getting ready pictures so they're not technically props for pictures (and I'm certain they'd all wear those items outside of wedding day), but some people insist that getting ready outfits don't "count" as gifts regardless. I also got each a tote bag with their name on it and a removeable bow in one of my wedding colors, their favorite bottle of wine with a custom sticker that says "pairs well with bridesmaid/ maid of honor duties," and I wrote them each a personalized card thanking them for their friendship through the years, being there on my special day, etc.

If you want to get anything that says "bridesmaid" on it, make sure it's something edible or disposable, because they won't really use it after the day is over.

I'll talk to my arrangers and we decided to order flowers https://myexpressflowers.co.uk/ for all the girls, I don't want some girl to stay at my wedding without a bouquet and they would have to fight for mine. And I will write a beautiful letter why they are important to me, my friends will really like this gesture.

For one of my closest girlfriend's wedding, she took all of the bridesmaids for a spa weekend and gifted us matching handbags. This was like five days before the wedding date. It was a very emotional trip, and we bonded even more while reminiscing on how quickly we reached that point in our lives...

In my opinion, any type of personalized gift (like engraved wine glasses or snug slippers with their name's first letter) is the right gift for a bridesmaid. It'd be even better if you could communicate your gratitude toward them with the whole presentation