Weddingbee boards

I wanted to give my bridesmaids something nice, but we're working on a really tight budget. Basically, we're paying for a wedding for 100 people on a $12K budget (The average for an LA wedding is about $30-$50K). We're also paying for the rehearsal dinner, rings and lodging for the attendants. The church isn't very cheap either.

My bridesmaids are all really helpful and are putting in about $175 for their dress and their hair and makeup. Paying for their dresses wasn't in our budget, and they each said they already had jewelry they wanted to wear on the wedding day. So I bought them handmade necklaces from etsy that they can wear after the wedding. The necklaces are each $25.

Because I work at a magazine, I get some pretty cool perks, like free name brand makeup, jewelry and beauty products. I was able to score some makeup, pearl earrings and hair and skin products to give to each of my bridesmaids. Along with the necklaces and tote bags I purchased, the value of the gifts would be about $110 a bridesmaid, but of course I didn't pay that much. I thought I was giving a pretty neat gift, but when I described the gift to a friend she said since I was got most of the items for free, it wasn't a real gift. I had actually only paid for the necklaces and tote bags ($30/per bridesmaid) and she thought that wasn't enough. She thought giving stuff I got for free was pretty tacky. She said she paid $100 for each of her bridesmaids (jewelry and makeup as well), and she emphasized that she paid with her own money, like that makes it more meaningful than my gift.

Sure, I didn't pay for 1/4 of the gift, but seriously, I don't have enough money to spend $100/per girl (that's $400 for just the bridesmaids!) I put a lot of thought into the necklaces and I think they'll appreciate the makeup, earrings and beauty items. I mean, all of the items are unused and brand new, and it's not like I'm regifting items I don't want for myself (I totally would take them for myself if I wasn't thinking of bridesmaid gifts.) Personally, I don't think price always equals quality and I don't think there should be standard price you should pay for a gift. I could be wrong though.  Do you think it's tacky to gift items you got for free?

That is a great gift... don't worry! All of the elements you found are extremely thoughtful and ways to spoil any girl. Also, you have access to free things that they would never be able to get their hands on! It's not about the amount of money you spent at all! I love when my friends are able to give me little "hook-ups" like that. Way to stay on budget but still score some great gifts!

why would someone call that tacky??!! you're putting thought and energy into the gifts, that's what your BMs will appreciate, not how much you've spent. If I was your BM I'd be delighted to receive such a thoughtful present. We don't really do that here in Ireland, it's a nice touch.

Yeah, I never thought it would be tacky until she brought it up. I'm really conscious of my budget and sometimes I forget etiquette to save money. But I'm pretty sensitive over my BM's gifts because I care a lot about them. But, as many of you pointed out, I just think my friend's a bit jealous.

I don't think it should matter how much you spend. I think the thought will come out in the quality of the gift, regardless of the dollar amount you actually forked over for them. I did put thought into the gifts, even the free items--I zoomed in on stuff I knew my ladies will like. I'm definitely giving them a handwritten card to show my appreciation, and I think they'll appreciate that even more. The thing is, my BM's are all family members and they know we're on a strict budget. They're very frugal girls and they would rather us save our money than us spend money on them. They have actually gotten upset over birthday and Christmas gifts we did spend a lot of money on. Since there will be a lot of normally expensive stuff in the bags, they'll probably think I did splurge. And being family, they'll probably ask if we included the gifts in the budget. But I'll take everyone's advice and say, "don't worry, they all were!"

NOT tacky! I would love to get a giftbag/basket of goodies if I was taking part in a friend's wedding. :) And I wouldnt be wondering how much the stuff cost her. The quality of the gifts (which it sounds like they are very nice, from your description) is what is important. If you came across quality stuff to give them, at a low cost for you, dont feel bad about it at all!

I really think that friend of yours who said it was tacky, was just jealous that she doesnt get the perks you do!

Good luck with everything! :)