Your bridesmaids have been by your side as you weathered all of the ups and downs of wedding planning. They were there to pop the bubbly and fawn over your ring when you told them the big news, and they were there when you were debating lace options. They held your hand when your caterer fell through, and they planned you the perfect pun-filled bachelorette. Now it’s your turn to show them how much you appreciate them, and the best way to do so is with a thoughtfully chosen gift.
While going with something themed is the usual go-to for bridal gift bags, let’s break the mold and give your inner circle something thoughtful yet practical. From cult-followed products to Instagram-worthy subscription boxes, these gifts are worth the extra wedding cost.
If you want to give them something wedding-themed that isn’t too on the nose, get them personalized ring dishes. You’ll need one when you get your wedding ring, and they can join in with their own jewelry. It will be a lovely reminder of your wedding day all year long, but it also makes it about them by getting their initials engraved.
Sometimes the best presents are edible ones. What sweeter way to thank your bridesmaids for being part of your special day than with cookies? These shortbread biscuits are customizable, allowing you to add everything from a heartfelt thank you to a cheeky inside joke. A box contains 24 of these, so you can either give one to each bridesmaid or break them out into smaller packaging.
If you’re the sentimental type, skip the knick-knacks and instead gift your friends a curated photo book of your memories together. From childhood sleepovers to wild Thirsty Thursdays at college to sophisticated wine dinners in adulthood, everyone will be misty-eyed flipping through these. And most importantly, they’ll know exactly what they mean to you.
If you’re looking to give your bridesmaids something special for the morning of the wedding, you can’t go wrong with matching personalized slippers. They’re big and fluffy, which means they won’t get lost in pictures. Your girls also won’t accidentally grab the wrong pair while changing, since each foot has a name embroidered on it.
If you’re looking for small goodies to add to a bag, you can’t go wrong with a silk scrunchie that matches your wedding theme. These come with a decorative tag around the hair accessory, which reads, “To have and to hold your hair back.” It’s sure to get a laugh.
Are you and your friends foodies? Then give them the gift of food with the “Love is Served” cookbook. While on the surface, it seems love-themed — which is on-brand for a bridesmaid gift — it’s also about loving oneself. Each recipe is named with an affirmation like “I Am Fearless,” “I Am Humble” and “I Am Open-Hearted,” making this gift more about them than the wedding.
You can’t go wrong with an aesthetic candle, and this one will match any bridesmaid’s style. There are 11 scents to choose from, with some being wedding themed like Wedding Cake and Champagne Toast, and others being more trendy like White Tea or Rosemary & Sage. The label is also sweet, defining your friend as a “dream supporter” and “secret keeper.” She’ll love lighting this throughout the year and thinking of your bond.
If you don’t have many bridesmaids and want to make their gifts extra special, consider gifting them a white Fuji camera. You’ll have so much fun taking silly candids at the bachelorette party, and the idea can bleed into the wedding itself. You’ll end up with a permanent snapshot of the fun times you shared wedding planning, partying with R-rated straws and hats, and finally celebrating on the big day.
If your bridal party will do a lot of traveling for your big day — whether that’s to an island-based bachelorette or a destination wedding — then make packing easier by gifting your friends a personalized jewelry case. It’s big enough to hold a couple of earrings, necklaces and rings, and will help keep their items from tangling in their suitcases. It’s as practical as it is chic.
If you want your bridesmaid gift to be more about your friends than the big day, consider the Oh Really? card game. It’s a party game that gives you five different scenarios each round, and you guess your friend’s order of preferences. The results can be surprising, and it helps you bond and learn more about each other. It’s especially great if you’re giving this gift at the bachelorette, as it can give you an activity in between rosé cocktails.
Do you take great stock in your horoscope? If you and your friends plan your week according to the stars, then add this candle to their gift box. They can keep any bad Mercury-in-retrograde vibes at bay with the help of this flower and crystal-laden candle. You can add a fun note with it, asking them to light it whenever you’re meeting with the caterer or going dress shopping — just in case.
