I know its very normal for BMs to pay for their dresses and hair,etc. but when you're spending sooo much on a wedding including maybe unneccesary things or extra guests you don't even know.... as a bride it seems odd to me that we wouldn't pay BM dress, hair, makeup (especially if they want the BMs to wear something specific or really want hair and makeup done ) for people who are your best friends/siblings. Why would you give someone the honour of standing up with you and then make them pay for it? Especially when they help so much (hopefully). And although paying to get their hair done, and for the dresses you want, and the jewellery they wear is just has much a gift for you as it is for them I'm pretty sure they'd rather you cover those costs then be given a gift. A heartfelt thank you for being in my life and my wedding and paying for the costs seems pretty good to me.
I only have one BM, so I want to get her something nice (which for my budget is like $100), but no idea what. She is one of those lucky women with so many friends, that she is constantly a BM for people. I told her to wear any dress she wants, so she is wearing a black dress she already owns. She said that in iteself is a gift because she doesn't have to buy another expensive BM dress that she hates. She is not big on jewelry. Would a gift certificate to her favorite store be too impersonal? Especially since her favorite store is JCrew and $100 doesn't buy you much there. Any suggestions?
I personally am getting my Bridesmaids a Tiffanys bracelet with their initials engraved on it. (it's $100 for the bracelet). I think they would rather have something from me that means alot to them. I wish I could go on an outing afterwards! that sounds like a great idea!! but getting them together for a weekend would be impossible! its hard enough getting them all together for lunch!! LOL
but anyway! haha I think you should do something personal for them! i think later down the road they would appreciate it more. you dont have to go all out! do what all of our moms have always said! "It means most when it comes from the heart!" :) hahah
I have to say I have tried to be very controlled in the things I ask my girls to do. I chose very nice and simple bridesmaids gowns in a navy blue (which can totally be shortened to cocktail length and worn again) I'm asking them to pay for their hair, everything else I'm either ambivalent about (shoes and pedicures) or I'm paying for (nails and jewelry).
As gifts I'm planning on giving them a nice vase to put their bouquets in at the main table (plus then we don't have to get flowers for the table), plus a variety of little stupid things that are tailored to the girl. I'm also indvidualizing the bouquets they carry, so they will all be very similar, but the white flowers in MOH will be white roses, BM #1 will have white french tulips and BM#3 will have while lillies, so they have a bouquet thats totally theirs. We're also going to leave them little goodie bags in their hotel rooms (since all will be newlyweds within the last 18 months) of champagne, chocolate dipped strawberries and some really great bathrobes and slippers we found on sale for each girl and her husband (we want to thank them too, since they have to put up with the bridesmaids doing all kinds of work, and sacrificing time and money to my cause).
You don't have to do much, all told we're actually spending about 75 dollars on each of the bridesmaids gifts, which is probably just as much(if not more with the cost of food going up) as you would spend on food, beverages and gas for the grill
I would rather have something like hair/make-up or hotel covered. So much money is flying around, why bring more into the mix? Some presents can be really nice and some of them end up just being "stuff".
I completely agree with Elizziebeth.
posted by rebecca 3 months agoI know its very normal for BMs to pay for their dresses and hair,etc. but when you're spending sooo much on a wedding including maybe unneccesary things or extra guests you don't even know.... as a bride it seems odd to me that we wouldn't pay BM dress, hair, makeup (especially if they want the BMs to wear something specific or really want hair and makeup done ) for people who are your best friends/siblings. Why would you give someone the honour of standing up with you and then make them pay for it? Especially when they help so much (hopefully). And although paying to get their hair done, and for the dresses you want, and the jewellery they wear is just has much a gift for you as it is for them I'm pretty sure they'd rather you cover those costs then be given a gift. A heartfelt thank you for being in my life and my wedding and paying for the costs seems pretty good to me.
posted by champagnebride 3 months agoI only have one BM, so I want to get her something nice (which for my budget is like $100), but no idea what. She is one of those lucky women with so many friends, that she is constantly a BM for people. I told her to wear any dress she wants, so she is wearing a black dress she already owns. She said that in iteself is a gift because she doesn't have to buy another expensive BM dress that she hates. She is not big on jewelry. Would a gift certificate to her favorite store be too impersonal? Especially since her favorite store is JCrew and $100 doesn't buy you much there. Any suggestions?
posted by DrB 3 months agowell said champagnebride!!!!
posted by Amy 3 months agoI personally am getting my Bridesmaids a Tiffanys bracelet with their initials engraved on it. (it's $100 for the bracelet). I think they would rather have something from me that means alot to them. I wish I could go on an outing afterwards! that sounds like a great idea!! but getting them together for a weekend would be impossible! its hard enough getting them all together for lunch!! LOL
but anyway! haha I think you should do something personal for them! i think later down the road they would appreciate it more. you dont have to go all out! do what all of our moms have always said! "It means most when it comes from the heart!" :) hahah
posted by soaishai 3 months agoI have to say I have tried to be very controlled in the things I ask my girls to do. I chose very nice and simple bridesmaids gowns in a navy blue (which can totally be shortened to cocktail length and worn again) I'm asking them to pay for their hair, everything else I'm either ambivalent about (shoes and pedicures) or I'm paying for (nails and jewelry).
As gifts I'm planning on giving them a nice vase to put their bouquets in at the main table (plus then we don't have to get flowers for the table), plus a variety of little stupid things that are tailored to the girl. I'm also indvidualizing the bouquets they carry, so they will all be very similar, but the white flowers in MOH will be white roses, BM #1 will have white french tulips and BM#3 will have while lillies, so they have a bouquet thats totally theirs. We're also going to leave them little goodie bags in their hotel rooms (since all will be newlyweds within the last 18 months) of champagne, chocolate dipped strawberries and some really great bathrobes and slippers we found on sale for each girl and her husband (we want to thank them too, since they have to put up with the bridesmaids doing all kinds of work, and sacrificing time and money to my cause).
You don't have to do much, all told we're actually spending about 75 dollars on each of the bridesmaids gifts, which is probably just as much(if not more with the cost of food going up) as you would spend on food, beverages and gas for the grill
posted by Elizziebeth 3 months agoI would rather have something like hair/make-up or hotel covered. So much money is flying around, why bring more into the mix? Some presents can be really nice and some of them end up just being "stuff".
posted by proBM2008 3 months ago