Gifts: Attendants

They have done so much for you, not only as a part of your wedding party but also as a friend and confidant over the years. How to even begin to say thanks? Start by presenting your wedding attendants with heartfelt gifts to express your gratitude.

What to Spend
Consider both your budget and the amount that each attendant must spend to be in your wedding. In the end, it’s always the thought that counts, but giving movie passes may seem a tad ungrateful if your maids had to shell out $600 each for those couture dresses you insisted upon. Get something that lets your attendants know how much you appreciate them. Generally, spending $50-$150 is a good amount.

When to Give
You can present the gifts during any private moment with your maids. Many brides give them during the bridesmaid’s luncheon or tea. You can also hand them out at the rehearsal dinner, when your closest friends and family are gathered together. Consider presenting them along with a toast, thanking them for their support and friendship over the years.

Attendant Gift Ideas
Monogrammed Robe/Pajamas—a great idea especially if you and your girls are planning a slumber party right before the wedding.
Spa Certificates—or pop for a trip to the spa, and treat everyone to a massage. Your maids will appreciate the special pampering.
Personalized Picture Frames—including an individual photo of you with each bridesmaid.
Jewelry—it can be something to wear at the wedding - but also try to choose something they will wear again. You want a gift they will enjoy that will often remind them of you!
A Container Filled with Goodies—can’t decide on one thing? Give it all! Find a creative container and fill it with goodies and mementos. A monogrammed canvas bag or a pretty decorated box will work nicely. If your budget allows, splurge on a nice designer handbag! Be as creative as you want.
Fur (or fake fur) Wraps—a great idea, especially for a winter wedding.
Makeup—have their makeup done for the wedding, and then purchase a few items for them to keep. They will feel fabulous for the big day and will also have something to take with them that they picked out.
Mixed CDs—full of tunes that hold special meaning, a great extra that can add a nice touch to another gift.

Dresses I Like

Here are some dresses that have jumped out at me. I find I really like a lot of dresses from Impression Bridal, Raylia Designs, and Jasmine Bridal. I don't know how I'll pick just one.












In the last two pictures, I like the Red spaghetti strap dress and the light pink in the middle of the three.

My Mood: Drained

Bridesmaids

I've been trying to pick Bridesmaids. I have a general - note that, VERY general - idea of who I would like. Unfortunately, due to everyone's very busy and contrasting schedules, I don't know a couple of these girls nearly as well as I'd like, but I love them to death. If we hung out even just a tiny bit more I'd go so far to say, as far as girl friends go, they would be my best friends. But can I pick them? Would it make them uncomfortable? We try to get together and whatnot but a lot of the time our schedules just clash. Or should I just pick some family members that I'm not really close to, but would seem to be a more traditional/family pleasing option over the girls I love to death and think are the greatest women in the world, but don't get to see as often as I'd like? Oh the horrid choices when planning a wedding.

But I did get a cute idea for jewelery for the bridesmaids to wear. Since we're having a more casual wedding, and I'm leaning towards giving the girls color options and letting them pick out the dresses themselves, we might have all the girls wearing something slightly different from one another, and possibly different colors or shades... So how to tie them all together and give them a uniform look? I figure to match all their bouquets and set them up in matching jewelery. I saw a very cute bead necklace that is stupid simple, but really quite pretty in it's own simplistic way. Just buy your beads and your ribbon and tie them all together. I'm not sure if I like just how big the beads in the picture are, I may pick a different size... Cute & casual, but we'll see what my girls say, plus it can be worn shorter or a bit longer depending on each girl's preference.

My Mood: Awake