Gift Ideas for Your Wedding Party

Traditionally the bride and groom give a gift to each of their bridesmaids and groomsmen as a gesture of thanks for standing up with them and investing the time and money to be included in the wedding party. As a wedding photographer, I have seen all kinds of gifts, and I definitely have some favorites!

Some of the gifts I see the most for bridesmaids are:

1) Matching robes/shirts/PJs. Robes can come in floral, solid or textured patterns and fabrics, and sometimes they are a touch more luxurious with a monogram or wording on the back or left chest. But no matter the style, they always make for a great photo with the bride once all the hair and makeup is done!

2) Jewelry. This is a popular one because it means all the ladies will be wearing matching jewelry the whole day, which is also nice for photos.

3) Tote bags. I’ve seen super cute canvas tote bags (sometimes customized) that are handy for toting around all the wedding day essentials. Bonus if you put their name or initial on it — they’ll always know whose is whose!

For the fellas, here’s what I see trending:

1) Cufflinks. Again, it’s nice to have everyone matching, or to give them something that’s maybe not as noticeable but re-usable and meaningful to each guy. It’s cool when they are favorite sports teams!

2) Flasks. These are practical and personal! Flasks can also be customized with each groomsman’s name or initials. And it’s something he can re-use also!

3) Favorite liquor/beer. In our own wedding, we gave each of the groomsmen a handle of their favorite alcohol — this one is always a hit, though not super long lasting. ;)

4) Hotel night stays. Especially if being in the wedding could be considered a hardship for any of your crew, you could gift them with a night or two in the hotel block to help offset some of their costs with attending and standing up in the wedding.

I also love personal gifts that are meaningful to the couple. If you’re into Legos, maybe you give a special Lego set to each of your party. If you’re into movies, maybe you gift a copy of your favorite flick or a gift card to Redbox or Netflix. If you’re an adventurer, maybe you gift your favorite water bottle. The possibilities are endless! Whatever you decide to give, be sure to include a thank you note expressing your gratitude and appreciation for each person. Your kind words with the thoughtful gift will leave a lasting impression.

What unique gifts have you seen at weddings you’ve been in?