Are you looking for unique bridal party gift ideas that go beyond the silk robe cliché? Here are some awesome ideas for gifts that will really show your bridesmaids you care.
What do you buy bridesmaids as gifts?
The best gifts are thoughtful and unique to each individual or to the relationship with the Bride and Groom. Covering the cost of wedding day necessities like professional hair/makeup, the bridesmaid outfit, or cost of the hotel room would also be a generous and practical gift.
If covering the cost of the necessities isn’t in the cards for you (it wasn’t for me), then here are some ideas for gifts they’ll actually appreciate that won’t break your bank.
These are my top bridal party gift ideas for every non-cheesy Bride.
Best Bridal Party Gift Ideas
There are a few “big bucket” categories you can choose to go in:
- Gift bags/boxes (where the bag itself is part of the gift and is filled with smaller items)
- Experiences (either with or without you)
- Single item gift (does not have to be the same item for every person!)
Regardless of which direction you decide to go in, you should keep the following in mind:
- Set a budget for each person and stick to it! It’s easy to get carried away (speaking from experience)
- If you’re gifting an assortment of small items, think of it like you would be putting together a Christmas stocking. What would put a smile on your friend’s face when they unpack that thing? Remember: you can gift small and inexpensive items as long as they have meaning behind them.
- Avoid custom printing. Any wedding branding makes the item feel less like a gift and more like marketing.
And if you’re wavering on an item, see if it ticks a box from at least one of the following:
- Something from their favorite show
- Something symbolizing an inside joke
- Something you know they’ll use
- Something that made you think of them
- Something for their hobby (like this, for example)
You can do this! It doesn’t have to be stressful. If it helps, take your wedding out of it and just think about what you would normally get them (for their birthday, as a congratulation gift, etc!) Alright, let’s get into it:
1. A fanny pack like this one by Baggu or this Lululemon one or this one on amazon (great for the festival-goers and gym bunnies alike!)
2. A market tote, cotton tote, beach bag or travel bag
3. A fun coffee mug (for your coffee break buddy)
4. A cocktail shaker (for your drinking buddy)
5. A nerdy tiki mug (for your friend who loves Horror and your friend who loves Star Wars alike)
6. A keychain that reminds them of something they love. Like this or this.
7. A nostalgic friendship bracelet
8. Food items they love (or would love to try!) Something like this, this, this, this or this!
9. Gift card for their fave brewery, coffee place, or the movies
10. Mani / Pedis on you (if you do this as part of your wedding day activities, let them know far in advance so they don’t end up getting them done themselves in advance)
11. A book that made you think of them. (could be fiction, nonfiction, a coffee table book, a cookbook, etc!)
12. A night out on you — bowling, axe-throwing, pickleball-ing…
13. A film camera with prepaid mailer to get it developed. Great for the nostalgia and excitement that comes with anticipation! Or go with the instax which is also fun and requires less logistics (make sure you include film!)
If you go the gift bag route, you can use candy or fun snacks to really round it out and make it feel special.
And all of the above should come with a handwritten note from you thanking them for showing up for you on your big day and maybe your favorite memory you have of them. I’m partial to using a postcard from where you met them or a custom card from Etsy to make it extra personal.
That’s the quick-and-dirty list of awesome bridal party gift ideas that aren’t super cheesy. Of course, you know your bridal party best – if you think they’re dying for a floral silk robe with “bridesmaid” printed across the back, then by all means, get them one of those bad boys! At the end of the day, they love you and will appreciate anything that feels like it came from the heart <3