It’s an understatement to say that weddings can be expensive. It seems that no matter how hard you try to stick to your budget that expenses continue to balloon and grow. After all the fun is over, your finances are likely feeling pretty tight. That said, your bridesmaids and groomsmen invested a substantial amount of time and resources too, so it would be nice to reward them.
Don’t stress yourself out too much over the gifts – at the end of the day, your wedding party will be pleased to have had such a big role in your ceremony and all of the events surrounding it. To avoid overwhelm and gift something your wedding party will remember, here are some ideas for gifting your wedding party when on a strict budget:
Don’t overthink it
Nothing induces gift-buying paralysis more than overwhelm. The more you try to give the perfect gift, the more likely you are to overthink it and send something that’s overly contrived. Remember that your friends are grateful to have shared this experience with you, and will be happy with any token of your appreciation. The simplest gifts are often the best solution. Strive for mementos that remind them of the memories that you created together. A beautifully framed photo might be just the ticket.
Opt for ideas that suit everyone
You’ve just planned an entire wedding, so reduce your decision fatigue by choosing gifts that can be given to both the groomsmen and the bridesmaids. Selecting an extra special gift for the maid of honor and the best man is a nice touch, but don’t feel like you need to get an entirely individualized gift for every member of the wedding party. Framed photos, engraved flasks, and watches all make great gift ideas. You can choose differentiated items between the guys and the gals, but there’s no need to get completely different gifts.
Personalization is key
Personalizing wedding party gifts is a major trend these days. Monogram personal items like flasks or robes, and engrave others like picture frames and watches with the date of your wedding. You can even add a “thank you!” right on your gift.
If you budget can allow it, and engraved Eternity Rose makes a fabulous memento of the occasion. An Eternity Rose is a real rose dipped in gold or silver. You can have the stem engraved ‘Thanks for being part of our wedding day. Love Chrissy and John’
They are simply stunning. You can get them here
Look for bulk discounts
If you have an exceptionally large wedding party of five or more people on both sides, you may be eligible for a bulk discount on your order. Many websites cater exclusively to the wedding crowd so search them for the perfect gift idea first. Many will offer a discount on orders of ten or more items.
Do add individual details to your notes
Save yourself time and energy by ordering the same variety of gift across your entire wedding party, but take the time to personalize the cards. Your nearest and dearest will appreciate that you took the time to elaborate on the memories that you share and exactly what your friendship with them means to you. If your friend contributed in a special way to your big day, be sure to thank them in the card.
Be creative
If you don’t want to gift physical items, or if your budget is extremely limited, think outside the box. Inviting your friends over for a nice dinner at your newly appointed pad can be a nice alternative. Cook a meal that is sumptuous but cost efficient like pasta and buy a single nice bottle of champagne for everyone. Offer a toast to your friends for all of their efforts and make your appreciation felt.
If your budget is extremely tight, simply send your friends heartfelt notes. Expressing your gratitude is the goal of any gift. You can always be mindful of gifting them later when your budget is less constricted post-wedding.
Conclusion
The key to gifting your wedding party is acknowledging that you don’t have to give them the moon. They participated in an extra special day for you and you, of course, want to acknowledge their contributions. Remember, that you a simple note of appreciation is all that is required. Anything beyond that is just the cherry on top! Remember to keep simple by choosing an item for the entire wedding party, buying in bulk, and engraving when possible for extra personalization. Whatever you choose to do, keep your emphasis on the quality of your note – it’s your words that will count the most!
Danielle Hanson Danielle is a loving and caring person who runs a successful at home business. She currently writes for wedding blogs and in spare time she enjoys horse riding, buying gifts from places such as The Eternity Rose and living life to the fullest.
