Who felt totally overwhelmed when it came to what to get for my bridesmaids? This girl did!
I spent weeks pouring over Etsy shop after Etsy shop trying to find the “perfect” floral robe to do the traditional “bridesmaids getting ready” photos. Then another bride told me about a friend's bad experience with a high rated Etsy shop sending them itchy robes – so I started panicking reading every review in a slew of 500 #totallynormally.
The more and more I thought about it – the less and less I could see my bridesmaids in floral robes. They are a sarcastic and “realistic” bunch – rosy robes just didn't seem quite like them.
I stumbled upon this look of tank tops that the girls could actually wear after the big day (no offense to those sorority style #bridesquad looks!) with cute PJ shorts; so I decided to adapt it to fit my girls.
Here's 3 things to keep in mind when choosing bridesmaids gifts:
a) Yes you want it to be something they will wear the day of your wedding for photos…
b) … but you also want to keep your friends in mind and choose stuff they could actually use after that day. Otherwise, it's just a gift to yourself.
c) You also want it to be something somewhat unique to them (if not, then definitely write them a letter and thank them for everything throughout the process and their friendship, support, and love over the years)!
I ended up choosing these cute Kensie pineapple pajama shorts from Nordstrom Rack (which are on a MAJOR sale right now!). Shorts are a little more difficult than
Shorts are a little more difficult than robes, since shorts fit everyone differently and people have different preferences for the fit of pajamas so I got each girl a small and a medium and let them choose what size fit them best the day of and returned the one they did not keep.
I also decided to go with shirts that fit each of their personalities:
I found all of their shirts on Romwe*. Which I love because everything is always on super sale (all of these shirts are $10 or less!).
You can snag these still: “Making Magic Happen*” | “Black is my happy color*“
But I couldn't find the “I Never Liked You Anyway” tank, so here are a few alternatives I love:
“Me? Sarcastic? Never.*” | “Awkward is my specialty*” | “Netflix Nachos & Naps*”
I also got them these fabulous Kendra Scott earrings, which I had already given to them before the photographers got there, so you can see them in here or on their ears below!
Even though this isn't gift related, I wanted to touch on their dresses. If you caught this post in the Wedding Wednesday series, on how to stay besties after the wedding, you know how important it is to think about your friends and the financial investment you are asking them to make in your big day. I cannot recommend this dress from Lulu's* enough! Seriously it's only $70 and you can wear it a million different ways! I loved it so much that I got myself it in navy and tie it in a casual way so I can wear it out to dinner, or dress it up for a wedding. Definitely a good staple to have.
What did you give your bridesmaids or what tips do you have for choosing bridesmaid gifts?
What was the best gift you ever received as a bridesmaid?
*Photo cred: Brooke Images
*Links in this post with a * are affiliate links. If you purchase from them I'll make a little coin.
Such cute items! I really like the shirt idea:)
xoxo, Hannah
Thank you Hannah!
Ok seriously love this! Even though I’m not getting married soon, I’ve always thought about the bridesmaid gifts. (I’ve been to a lot of weddings recently.) The robes are cute but 1) it seems kinda pricey and 2) I don’t feel like my future bridesmaids are “rosey robes” people either! I love how this was comfortable and fun. I’ll definitely keep that in mind 🙂
X,
Cristina / cristinawashere.com
The robes are kinda pricey! I e-mailed a ton of etsy shops for the “Details” and about the robes and was always so surprised by a) how expensive they were b) how few of them would discount for social promo or a post and c) how many options there were for stores with the exact same robes
This is such a cute post filled with great ideas! I gave my bridesmaids jewelry to wear in the wedding!
xo Ashley
nice! I did that with the earrings for the day of too!
I totally agree with your tips! I didn’t want to get them things they’d never use. So I got them a tote, pajamas, and earrings to wear for the wedding.
oh wow! We got them almost the same stuff haha! love it!
These are great tips! I have no idea what I want to buy my girls. I have 6 bridesmaids to buy for so I’m leaning towards the necklaces for the wedding day and something else. Just not sure what that something else is going to be.
Yeah I did earrings and then my something else was the shirts and shorts. The shirts were only $7 and they have tons of them to choose from too. While googling, I saw some really cute personalized make up bags too but can’t remember where.
These are awesome tips! girl your wedding pictures are so pretty!!!!
Thank you Bella!
These are so cute! I love all of your photos so much. I gave my girls jewelry to wear and also flip flops to dance in all night, along with a few fun goodies!
Nice! I wore sandals and told every one coming to wear sandals and not heels since our wedding was on a lawn, but otherwise I 100% would’ve done flip flops too!
These are BEYOND cute!!! I had makeup bags embroidered with everyone’s name on them in my wedding colors…bridesmaid gifts are just the best!
Coming Up Roses
Agreed! Although there are so many fun options that I have to say this was the most difficult part of the planning process for me!
Such a great post! You were such a generous bride 🙂 I think my favorite bridesmaid gift has been a personalized tote bag. We all changed at the venue, so it was nice to have a bag to put our extra clothes and makeup bags in without having to drag our suitcases with us.
XO, SS || Seersucker Sass
Oh thats so smart! Love it!
These are such important tips! I hate when people just get something that says “bridesmaid”…it’s only good for that day. For my wedding I did monogrammed waffle robes, Vera Bradley mini cosmetics bags, their earrings for the wedding, and coral nail polish. I thought that these were all things that they could definitely use again and also all went with my wedding day! I also agree about writing a card, I did that for each bridesmaid and I definitely had some water works going at the rehearsal!
Yeah definitely! Those are awesome and your cards sounds so sweet!
Those are some really great tips and your girls looked absolutely gorgeous! I plan on doing a robe, a mug, a nail polish and something else I haven;t chosen yet.
La Belle Sirene
Awe thank you! I love those ideas!
These are great tips. As I’m starting to think about who may be one of my bridesmaids and gifts for them, I’ve also noticed that it doesn’t suit them to do the typical silk embroidered robe – we’re just not that fancy. Great post!
haha I love it! and thank you! Yeah go with something that seems right for you all and that’s all that really matters! I got a little obsessed with what I thought I was “supposed” to do
All my friends are sassy and sarcastic as well so I could never see them in something girly either so I thought this was perfect!
-Ruya
sweetshortandstylish.com
Thanks Ruya!
Oh man, this is getting me excited for my future wedding 🙂 Love these gift ideas.