Presents for the Wedding Party Ideas

Include handwritten notes of thanks with each gift.

The members of your wedding party have shown up on time and smiling to each wedding event you've planned. They've bought expensive dresses or rented tuxes, organized bachelor and bachelorette parties, or helped calm you down when the stress of planning was overwhelming. Thank your closest friends for all they've done by passing out thoughtful gifts. It's customary for the bride and groom to give gifts to the bridal party during the rehearsal dinner or some other quiet moment before the wedding.

For the Wedding

Since the couple generally presents these gifts before the wedding day, you can give out gifts that your bridesmaids and groomsmen can use during the big day. The women may like new makeup kits they can use to primp before the ceremony. You might also choose jewelry or purses that matches their dresses. These gifts should be neutral enough they can use them again with different outfits. Buy tie pins or silk handkerchiefs for the guys. If your budget allows, pick up new digital cameras so your bridal party can capture the best moments of the big day.

Experiences

Being in a wedding can get expensive, so your friends may be counting their pennies after the wedding. Pick up gift certificates so your bridal party can treat themselves after the big day. For the bridesmaids, choose certificates to a spa or nail salon. Treat the men to a round of golf or a season's pass to the batting cages. A gift card to a local restaurant or bar or tickets to a concert or sporting event are also thoughtful ideas.

Party

Organize a "thank you" party for your wedding party to enjoy once the stress of the wedding is over. Throw a party at your home or a restaurant about a month after the wedding. Ask a friend to play bartender and order plenty of junk food. Choose a casual theme for the party, like karaoke or a luau. Create invitations to present to your bridal party before the wedding. Wrap the invitations up with party hats, miniature bottles of liquor and Silly String to show that this will be a fun, relaxing event.

Personalized Gifts

Presenting your bridal party with engraved gifts will make each person feel special and appreciated. For the women, get silver picture frames engraved with the wedding date and a personal message from the bride. Groomsmen may appreciate a silver flask engraved with their initials. For a more casual and fun personalized gift, give ice buckets engraved with the initials of each wedding party member. Fill the buckets with DVDs, junk food and bottles of wine for your friends to kick back with once the wedding is over.

References

• The Knot: Bridesmaid Gifts: Shopping Tips & Etiquette
• "Martha Stewart Weddings" Magazine: Bridal Party Gifts with Darcy