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.
I opted for monogrammed tote bags and kendra scott earrings. I felt good about it haha 🙂 Love these ideas!
Those are great ideas! I love the toe bags idea!
These are so cute! I got mine PJ shorts too and a monogrammed button up so they wouldn’t mess up their hair when they were taking off the shirt to put on their dresses haha.
That’s so smart!
Amazing ideas, Rachel! Love the cuteness of these tees. I’ve started thinking about what to get my girls, and it’s so overwhelming!
It really is! where are you at with it?
I’ve never been a bridesmaid (nor am I anywhere close to getting married) but I love the idea of personalizing your gift to actually match your bridesmaids! I agree that I couldn’t see any of my friends enjoying a floral robe, but I could see them in a really sassy tank or tee and some fun shorts 🙂 Thanks for the great ideas!
haha thank you!
These are the cutest gift ideas for the bridesmaids! This is such a fun thing to choose for them as apart of wedding planning!
Thank you!
How cute! Those shorts are so fun.
Alix | http://www.apintsizedlife.com
Thanks! they are like $10 right now too!
These are all great tips! I didn’t even think about how you should get them something they could wear on the wedding day, but that makes so much sense!
-Anna | http://www.fivefootandfabulous.com
Yeah I didn’t either until another bride told me that’s what most people do and I was like — oh that makes sense haha
These are such cute gifts! I gave my bridesmaids little Coach sequin wristlets and faux pearl bracelets. I wish I had gotten them cuter things like you did!
Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com
Awe thank you!
I love that you didn’t just pick a tradition gift and really got your girls what fits them and who they are!
Thank you Sydney!
Those tanks are to cute! And I like how each and everyone of them was different according to the person!
Thanks Silvia!
Love this idea! I have six bridesmaids who all have very unique personalities! I love all of them, and have already started a pinterest board for gift ideas for them! You had such a cute ideas, I love it! My bridesmaids are all getting different navy colored ones, they were all really excited for it! I am going to really personalize one of the gifts I give my girls!
xoxo
Thats so smart! pinterest boards are everything! Excited to see what you end up doing!
I love this idea!! I see so many brides that pick one thing and get it for all of their girls, but I love that you personalized each girls’ gift!!
Thank you Adriana!
You were so organized and I love the idea of shirts! Such a special touch for each friend. I was in a wedding once where the bride told us ahead of time that our gifts were going to be necklaces to wear on the big day. When she handed us our gifts at the rehearsal dinner, she gave us a wine glass instead. Everyone had to go out that night to buy jewelry for the wedding. ? It was a bit disastrous.
Haha pinterest saved my life! omg no way! I actually had the opposite problem but not as bad! I didn’t tell anyone about their gifts except my MOH – so the wedding day i gave them the earrings and clothes and my husbands sister (one of my bridesmaids) and his mom got upset that I didn’t tell them about the earrings because I guess she was wearing diamond earrings and they had to take them off or something? I swear this was the biggest headache for me during the planning process.
Yikes, what drama! I’m sorry that happened, what a frustrating thing to deal with on your wedding day!
yeah it was so dumb and really should’ve been avoided, much like your situation haha #people *rolls eyes*
haha amen to that!
Super cute gifts! I bought mine everything mango flavored – not sure why since it didn’t fit into my theme but I liked it! A mango hair care set, mango candle, and mango salsa. haha
haha thats so funny! I love mango salsa! haha
What an awesome idea!! Personalized gifts are the best!! XO
Agreed! thanks Ruthie!
Your girls looked beautiful, and I love how your got them cute PJs!!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Thanks girl <3!
Everyone looks beautiful and I love the gift ideas, those shorts are too cute!
thank you! they are only $10 now too! and super soft!
Love this! I would totally wear all of those shirts again and again, and who doesn’t love cute PJ shorts?
Right? And those shirts are like $7 all the time and the shorts are only $10 right now and they are so soft!
Good idea. The shirts are great.
Thank you!
Cute ideas! I gave my bridesmaids jewelry to wear during the wedding. That’s what was done for all my sister’s and friends weddings. I never even considered doing something different!
Yeah I did earrings for everyone and then the personal gifts. I love the jewelry idea!