Weddingbee boards

I know that everyone is always posting on here looking for gift ideas, so I thought I would recap what we got for everyone and how it worked out.

Bridesmaids

I spent a ridiculous amount on my bridesmaids.  Probably far too much haha, but it was worth it.  I paid for hair, makeup, and nails.  As for actual tangible gifts, I gave them each a different piece of jewelry from Blue Nile or Satya Jewelry.  Everyone loved having their own unique gift.  I used the small personalized totes from The Knot shop as gift bags.  I got them when they were on sale for $5.99.  I would not pay full price as they are quite tiny. 

I also did bridesmaids (and mom's!) survival kits.  I bought Chinese takeout boxes from the Container Store and hubby made cute tags on the computer.  I included: tampon, lighter (for smokers), band-aids, hair ties, bobby pins, special K bar, gum, instant coffee, little packets of tylenol, tissues, hand sanitizer, and the heart-stopper shoe pads.  Everyone loved the shoe pads and they made for great pictures.  Everyone thought the little kits were super useful.

Groomsmen

The hubs gave the guys Coach wallets and knock-off Ray Ban wayfarers.  He got the Coach wallets from the outlet when they were having an additional 30 percent off.  He got the knock-off sunglasses from EBay. They were great for pictures and for the reception.  The guys were really grateful to get the wallets, which they liked and could actually use.

Moms

We got our moms earrings to match their dresses and clutches as well.  We got the earrings from Macy's during a really big jewelry sale.  My mom's clutch came from David's and his mom's came from DSW.

Dads

We got them both Caravelle by Bulova watches that we got during the same Macy's sale.

Flower Girl

We got her a child's necklace from Etsy seller silverwren.  It was a flower engraved with her name, along with a small pearl.  She absolutely loved it.

Readers/Grandmas

We got the grandmas engraved bracelets from Etsy seller SylviaC.  His grandmother's said "Live Well, Laugh Much, Love Often."  My grandmother's said, "may the road rise up to meet you", but I got it translated to Gaelic. 

My aunt was a reader and we gave her small Ralph Lauren earrings from Bloomingdale's.

Husband

I got a photoshoot done with my photographer and had a book made.  Hubby loved it...it was a great choice.

Me

My husband got me a silver/diamond/pearl David Yurman bracelet.  I wore it on the wedding day, but it is versatile enough that I could wear it often.

Let me know if anyone has questions :o)

That is an awesome gift recap!  Can I add mine to this?  I don't want to hijack your thread though. 

@caszos: Go ahead :o)  This could even be a gift recap thread haha.  There's always SO many posts looking for gift ideas, so a "recap" post could really be helpful to people.

@clarebee: If you have an outlet mall nearby, the Solstice outlet has great prices on sunglasses.  My husband was looking there when he was thinking of getting "real" sunglasses as gifts.  The knockoffs were just as a joke, for photos, etc.

Ok! Here is my gift recap!

Bridesmaids:  I paid for my BM's to get their hair done down in Melbourne.  We didn't do group make up or nails or anything.  I also got them each this cute giraffe print scrapbook tote (our wedding was at a zoo) and filled it with goodies.  I got them each a different pair of earings to wear the day of the wedding and wrapped it really cute.  Then I picked out a coffee mug/water bottle for each of them that matched their personalities.  Lastly I got a picture frame and put in a picture of me and each one of them throughout the wedding planning process.  I then did some simple hand made thank you cards for each of the girls.

Additionally, my mom put together little baskets of Bath and Body works goodies for each of the girls.  They were really cute. 

Groomsmen:  My husband got each of them a pocket knife and the tie for their suit.  I think all the guys really liked them.  Its a typical gift but something they will actually use.  He ordered them from Smokey Mountain which is a popular knife store online that he and his dad order from frequently. The ties were from MensWarehouse. 

Parents:  We just did cards for the actual wedding.   I think we are going to make them photo albums with all the pictures.  I am still looking for something nice for my mom since she did so much work.  I like the idea of the three stacked rings representing the three families coming together. 

Me:  My WONDERFUL husband got me a wonderful gift.  I always tease him and ask him to tell me two reasons why he loves me.  He never likes to answer but always comes up with something.  When I got home from the salon, under my veil was a card that said, "For all the times you asked me for reasons".  I immediately bursed into tears so happy that I am marrying such a wonderful man.  Later on once I was dressed and composed myself the BMs and my family and photographer came in and I opened the gift.  Inside was about 10 metal stones.  One side said, "I love you because" and the back side had the reason. 

To my Husband:  I ordered a very nice Boker pocket knife for him.  It is mother of pearl handle and hand engraged.  He will be inheriting his fathers pocket knife collection so he was very happy to have a piece of his own to add. 

Flower Girls:  We also put together small totes for them.  They just had some little goodies in there for them.  I also added one fun gift (gift certificate to build a bear workshop) and one sentimental gift (a small cross necklace).  We also got cute little shirts from WalMart and got iron on decals from Michaels. 

Ring Bearer:  We got him an FSU alarm clock (he's a big fan already) and a Ring Security t-shirt (also from Michaels).  He really liked both. 

@caszos: I forgot that my husband also bought the guys their ties to wear with their tuxes.  They were pale pink and from Kohl's -- definitely rewearable.  Great list!

@skibobrown: Great list!

This is a great list!  Anyone else care to add?