[UPDATED 2019]
Hi, loves! You may already know that the bride and groom are responsible for giving gifts to the wedding party. However, do you know who else gets a gift from the bride and groom? Today we’re sharing gift-giving knowledge and inspiring you with handmade wedding gifts from around the web. Read on to find out more and see what is the number one rule to wedding gift giving. Enjoy!
Who Gets a Gift from the Bride and Groom
First, the wedding party traditionally gets a gift from the bride and groom. The gift is a token of your appreciation and should be hand-picked specifically for him or her.
o Maid of Honor
o Best Man
o Bridesmaids
See: 50 Most Unique Bridesmaid Gift Ideas
o Groomsmen
See: 100 Most Unique Groomsmen Gifts
o Flower Girl(s)
See: 10 Cute Flower Girl Gifts
o Ring Bearer(s)
See: Awesome Ring Bearer Gift Ideas
While not required, a gift from the bride and groom to parents or grandparents is a nice gesture. (See these hand-picked gifts for Mom and these cuff links for Dad as a few examples.) A few gift ideas include a canvas or photo album with photos from your wedding day. A corsage or boutonniere also make fantastic gifts. Include a card — with a hand-written, heartfelt note — to show your appreciation.
If someone went above and beyond the bride and groom’s expectation, a gift may be a nice way to say thank you. For the ceremony, the recipients may be…
o Readers
o Musicians
o Ushers
Wedding vendors work EXTREMELY hard to ensure your day goes off without a hitch. When vendors ensure your wedding day goes by above and beyond, in which case you might wish to say thank you with an extra-generous tip and a stellar online review or mention on Facebook. They’ll certainly appreciate it! And, if something unexpected happened – but your vendors helped to do the best they can – remember to tip them well.
o Wedding Coordinator
o Officiant
o Photographer
o Videographer
o DJ
o Transportation
o Venue
o Caterer
o … and anyone else that helped!
To inspire you, we’ve selected some handmade wedding gifts perfect for giving.
vendors
o personalized cigar box by Susabella
o pocket squares by Zelma Rose
o whiskey barrel coffee by Espresso Smith
o bottle opener by Bottle Breachers
o personalized bangle bracelet by Georgie Designs
o personalized bud vases by Susabella
o gray chevron clutches (with coral bow) by Allisa Jacobs
o monogram necklace – Best Name Necklace
o groomsmen bags by Aren Lace
o striped ipad bag by Eclu
o father/daughter canvas art by GeeZees
o locket with personalized heart inside by The Dedication Company
o coffee mug by Susabella
o bridesmaid robes by Bridal Bliss Couture
o wedding albums Linen Laid Felt
Some of our favorite gift ideas for family members, such as parents, include a corsage, boutonniere, a photo album, or a canvas to commemorate the day. Gifts don’t need to be expensive to be appreciated. A small gift with a heartfelt card is a great way to show your appreciation to anyone who has helped to make your wedding day memorable.
Number One Rule to Wedding Gift Giving
The number one gift-giving rule: give a meaningful gift. A meaningful gift – whether it was $1 or $500 – will be treasured by the recipient because it is from the heart. A handmade gift is an excellent choice because it is custom-made especially for your recipient. And, we don’t think there’s anything more special than a handmade gift.
More Gift-Giving Tips to Consider
If you can’t afford large gifts for everyone, select something smaller; it’s better to give everyone a gift than to leave some people out. And, last but not least, the best gift you can give is your time. Be patient. Ask mom to go with you wedding dress shopping. Ask Dad to pick out your father/daughter song, and ask him to walk you down the aisle. Ask your grandmother what her wedding was like.
Invite a close friend to say a reading at your wedding. Spoil your flower girl and ring bearer. Be good to your bridesmaids. Don’t demand anything from your wedding party.
Be respectful to your vendors. They work extremely hard to make your day special. These are the things that matter most, and these are the things your friends and family will remember most.
Happy Planning!
xo
-E.
P.S. Check out these bridesmaid gifts and groomsmen gifts from our archives!
