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For anyone who is planning a wedding or has already planned a wedding, you know just how expensive everything can get. Bridesmaid’s gifts are NO exception. I was having a hard time at first trying to decide what kind of bridesmaid’s gifts I wanted to get. I knew I wanted to get my girls good gifts, after all they had done/were doing during the planning process, however, I didn’t want to lose sight of my budget. One of the best decisions I made for this part of my budget in particular, was to buy a little at a time.
For anyone who doesn’t know me personally, I actually was laid-off from my job of 5 years in Feb 2019, less than 2 months after getting engaged. You can only imagine the stress I was under trying to figure out how Cody & I were going to help contribute to our wedding budget. I was STRESSING. Especially since our wedding was scheduled for September 2019. I didn’t know how I was going to manage to save money and also not cheap out on all the things I had always wanted to be a part of my wedding process.
I actually was laid-off from my job of 5 years in Feb 2019, less than 2 months after getting engaged. You can only imagine the stress I was under trying to figure out how Cody & I were going to help contribute to our wedding budget…
One of the first things I did when I was home alone doing nothing but applying for jobs and trying to find ways to still have the wedding of my dreams on an even tighter budget than I originally planned, was manage my finances and make a plan. I didn’t know how long I was going to be out of work. So, I planned every week’s budget as far out as the week of the wedding.
When it came to the bridesmaids gifts, I made a point to buy everything in small doses. A little something here, a little something there. That way I wasn’t going to be overspending one week when I could have used that money for an actual bill. I frequented the Target dollar section quite often just looking for little things that I thought would make cute gifts. I kept watching sales for things I knew I wanted to include. Then for the most expensive items, like the sleep shirts, I made sure put a little away each week so that when the time came I could go ahead and purchase those.
Fortunately, I was only out of work for 3 months (woohoo!), so eventually things weren’t as tight in the money department and I was able to get the girls gifts wrapped up sooner than expected. I did however; continue to stick to my “little at a time” motto throughout the whole wedding planning process. That way in case of the unexpected happening again, I had some extra cash tucked away for emergency, versus dropping a whole paycheck on just buying everything at once.
Now, I know I probably bought more than the average bride does, but since I was doing everything in pieces, and got everything at really good prices, it really didn’t seem like a lot. Of course until I was putting the gifts together, lol.
Bridesmaid’s Gifts
Bags
These bags were so perfect to hold all the bridesmaid’s gifts. The listing lets you choose if you want to add the smaller makeup sized bag with it, but I opted out. I chose to do the gray with the gold lettering as it went with my wedding colors. I loved that they had a zipper on them so I could throw all the goodies in there and then zip it up, no worries!
Tumblers
The actual tumblers I bought are no longer available (sad face) but I linked some others! These were so cute and all the girls loved them. I loved how they were skinny and girly and we used them to drink mimosas the morning of the wedding! I liked how they were rose gold (but looked more like a copper color) and went with my wedding colors!
Snacks
Everyone loves snacks right? I knew the girls would get the munchies throughout the day, and even though we had some sandwiches and veggie trays I wanted to go ahead and throw in a couple more snack for them in case they wanted something else. These were perfect because they were the perfect amount and everyone loves popcorn and check mix!
Koozie
Are wedding koozies a thing for y’all? Where I am from, if you are having a wedding you are having koozies! We had these at both bars at our venue for our guests to grab with their drinks, and then I decided to go ahead and throw one in each of the girl’s bags so they were guaranteed to get one. I had been eyeing these koozies since before I was even engaged, I thought they were so cute and fit mine and Cody’s personalities perfectly!
Sleep Shirts/Getting Ready Outfit
Generally, when you think of “bridesmaid’s gifts” you think of the “getting ready outfit”. I loved this sleep shirt! I wanted to do something different from the traditional robes that I see the bridal party get ready in, and I wanted to have it personalized. These were perfect. They were a tad sheer so I told the girls to wear some spanx underneath, especially for pictures. To order these you first order the shirts, and then use a separate link to order the customization. I included both links for you guys!
Earrings
Ah, these earrings were so beautiful and dainty. I knew I wanted to incorporate pearls for the jewelry because they’re just so timeless and classic. The wedding theme was more boho than glitzy so I didn’t really want a blingy gold or silver earring. These were perfect! A couple of the girls have actually worn them again for other weddings they were a part of! I had some girls wear their hair up, some wore theirs down, and the earrings looked great with both!
Necklace
Sticking to the dainty pearl theme, these necklaces were perfect. I am actually jealous I never got myself one because just look how cute! A few of the girls still wear theirs to this day and always talk about how much they love theirs. It is just the perfect little girly necklace! I even got a shorter one for our flower girl to wear because, duh! It looked so cute on her and went with her dress perfectly!
Flip Flops
The flip-flops, or “dancing shoes” as I like to call them were a huge hit! I actually was able to core these when they were on sale so I got them even cheaper! I got all the bridesmaid some in blush (to match their dresses) and myself some in white! I think all of us ladies know the pain that wearing your heels all day & night can bring. I knew my girls would love these “dancing shoes” vs their heels for the reception!
Face Masks
Target dollar section find! I snagged some sheet masks that were in a blush pink wrapping (sticking to the theme, of course) to throw in the gift bags. As I said in my “bridesmaid proposal boxes” post, you can never have too many face-masks! I obviously can’t find the link to the ones I bought, so I liked a few others!
Makeup Bag
Another Target dollar section find! I knew I wanted to do little make up pouches but most of them were all $20+ on places like Etsy to have their names put on them. I eventually said oh well and gave up the idea, until I found these! I decided not to get their names put on them due to the material they were made of, but they were cute all on their own! Once again, can’t find a link for them. However, I linked similar!
Fan
Last, but certainly not least, the fans! These were another party favor for all guests that I wanted to go ahead and throw in the gift bags for the girls so they wouldn’t have to go out of their way to get one. We got married in September, in Texas….so it was HOT. I had been to quite a few summer weddings before and oh how I wished I had a fan or something to at least fan myself with. Since we were having both our ceremony and cocktail hour outdoors, I knew for certain I wanted to budget these in. So, for any summer brides-to-be, I HIGHLY suggest investing in the fans, or even a fan-type program if you plan on doing those. Your guests will appreciate them very much!!
Let me know!
I hope these ideas helped you in your wedding planning process! Let me know in the comments if you plan on using any of these ideas for your bridesmaid’s gifts, or what ideas you came up with!
If you are looking for more wedding planning tips and ideas check these out here! Also, follow me on Pinterest to see my wedding planning board along with some of our own wedding photos! Keep up with all things WWAB by following me on Instagram & Facebook too!
