Personal attendant gifts

I honestly thought the personal attendant was the little girls (??) who hold the train as you walk down the aisle...I guess I learned something today.

If they really are your glitter covered indentured servant I'd get them something just as nice as what you get the bridal party.

I've also heard of this as we were looking for something to call the men in our WP other than groomsmen (no groom here...) or bridesman (just sounds odd to us). Personal attendant and honor attendant both came up, but honestly those are way worse in my opinion.

@FutureMrs

I think it's highly unlikely she'd be considering buying robes for non-friend employees. Robes are far too personal a gift for that kind of relationship. And also, they'd be getting money, so why would they need robes?

So they're paid? Maybe a tip?

I've never heard of this, sorry. :/

"Personal attendant" is a name given to someone who doesn't rate being in the wedding party but is available to run errands for the wedding couple. It is not paid. It is not an honour.

I was asked to be a personal attendant this summer and I don't take it as an insult at all. Typically FH gets groomsmen + ushers and brides get bridesmaids + personal attendant. I see it as a way to include more people with an "official" title. I think gifts for any of the wp though should be practical and something they will use again. Sorry but I am never going to use my monogrammed bag and floral robe. That's just me. You could always look at getting them a free manicure or spa gift card, I would much rather have that!

@Flying - yes, I am aware. A PA would classify as an unpaid gopher who didn't rank highly enough to make bridesmaid? My point was not to have them, and to give gifts to those who are in the bridal party. Sorry I wasn't clear.

Just chiming in here....I have a 'personal attendant' for my wedding and was actually wanting to see any opinions to the actual question the poster asked... but geesh people are mean. in reality, I have NINE bridesmaids (my fiance has 4 sisters and really wanted them to be bridesmaids so they could spend the day with us). I also have a close friend that I wanted to be with us and just be part of the day (just like a groom has his ushers). We are not making her run around and do grunt work for us - I haven't asked a single thing from her (our wedding is in a month) and don't plan on asking her to do any extra work. She is simply there to enjoy the day with us. As far as I'm concerned this is how a lot of my friends have done it as well, so I'm not sure what the issue is.

I am from the midwest and every wedding I have ever been to has personal attendants. I have never heard a single PA complain or be upset about the role before/during/after the wedding. It's often a role given to friends/family who have their own weddings coming up because then they don't have to pay for a dress/hair/makeup like a bridesmaid might have to. I do think the majority of weddings I've been in/seen don't make the PA's do a bunch of work. At most, they might help wrangle family members for pictures and help pin flowers. Sometimes, PA's are more like ushers and help fill that role.

For gifts, I feel like the PAs definitely need something, but not always the same things as the bridesmaids. If they're going to get ready with the wedding party, I would get them robes and include them in pictures as well. Someone mentioned above that grooms get groomsmen and ushers, so the naturally opposite for the bride would be bridesmaids and personal attendants. I think as long as the gift is personal and meaningful, it's appropriate.

Wow.! The responses here are brutal. I called my cousin to ask if she'd bustle up my dress and it was SHE who volunteered to be my personal attendant. She seemed to be excited about it. We are not having bridesmaids, maid of honor/best man, or groomsmen. It's just me, the groom, the officiant, my escort, and a few guests who are family.