Advice about present please!

I would myself, but thats me I guess, I like buying presents

Shaz

I would still buy them a gift even if its only something small, as its the thought that counts.

I do too, that's why I'm struggling :o( Although they don't want presents, they want money, so it would just feel like I was writing a huge cheque!!

Then 'cheat' and get them currency for their HM. They need never know how much you've spent on them then..unless they sit and work it out via the exchange rate, LOL!

Why would you NOT buy them a gift? they might be asking for money, but if you prefer you could get them vouchers? i'm sure they will understand that if you are getting married later in the year, you might not be able to give lots - just give what you think you want to.

welcome to hitched btw ? - when and where are you getting married?

I bought my friends bouquet when I was her bridesmaid (the woman that was supposed to make them told her the day before the wedding that she hadn't had time, I spent ages trying to find a florist that would sell me the display bouquet), I also had to by my own dress. I only bought her a set of wine glasses I think they cost me £15. I've never seen the glasses since but her bouquet has sat on top of the telly and that was four years ago!

Buy a token gift. Shona was just glad I'd saved the day. I felt quite smug aswell TBH.?

I was in a similar situation last year, I was CBM and OH usher for my friend's wedding. We bought (and chose) our own outfits, but knew from the outset that this was the deal. The wedding was in Italy so we paid a lot of money to get there. We gave them €50. We normally give iro of £50 as a gift for other weddings. I would have liked to have given them more but when you put it into the context of all that we'd spent on being there (not that I begrudge it, I wouldn't have missed it for the world) I think it was a fair amount.

I dont see why anyone would ask someone to be a bridesmaid then ask them to pay for the dress themselves, i think it's pretty cheeky!

The way I see it is, if your close enough to be asked to be a big part of their day then you would probably have bought new outfits for the wedding so £80 is probably cheaper than buying new outfits!

I've asked my bridesmaids (SIL2B and Best Friend) to buy their own shoes and debating asking for a contribution to the suit hire from the BM and U!

We're not expecting presents,not having a gift list but if people want to get us anything (close family etc) we've said HM currency.

I'm afraid to tell you that I'm in the "buy them a gift camp" too! Especially as you are part of the wedding party.

For an inexpensive gift - could you buy some M&S "food to order" and get it send to their hotel for their first night. Or buy them a hamper?

x

Thanks for the responses and present ideas everyone! I don't think I was ever really considering not getting them anything at all, but normally I'd spend around £50 on a gift, and I'm just not sure if I can afford that on top of the £80.

Leni - my OH wouldn't buy a new suit for a wedding as he has a couple he wears for work so he'd just wear them, and I definitely wouldn't spend £80 or even £40 on a new dress if I could help it. I'm afraid to say I'm not one of these people who buys a new dress for every wedding I go to, and I wouldn't be offended if any of my guests don't buy new outfits for my wedding. I hope that doesn't make me a bad friend, I just don't have a lot of money!! ;oP

But at least if we were buying new outfits, mine would be something I'd chosen and would wear again, and his would be something he'd actually get to keep, rather than return to the hire shop!!

I think asking BMs to pay for shoes is fine!

Thanks again :o)
xxx

Hey Stardust. I'm 27 weeks pregnant and decided last week that even though for the last 6 months I've not been worried about being married before the baby comes, it is something I want to do. Our wedding is set of August 8th this year and we have no time to plan it!

My younger sister is my only bridesmaid and (knowing that we were skint before we decided to get wed) is insisting on paying for her own dress. I am more then happy for her to pick her own as she is paying (although I did ask it be blue)

I've told her and my brother (who is making the cake) that they are under no circumstances to get us a gift. If they decide to anyway thats really sweet of them, but with 7 weeks to plan a wedding its more important to me that I can go to them and ask for help.

I think your friend will understand if you can't afford to give them a present, and tbh I doubt she'll notice if you get her a card and nothing else!