Bridesmaid Gifts - morning of and at he

It's pretty standard to give a gift to your bridesmaids as a thank you, but I've never heard of it being done for hens as well (not in the UK anyway). I know some people give their bridesmaids something they can wear or use on the day (robe, necklace etc) and I think this is fine as long as you know it's something they will like and use again. E.g. It's not really a 'thank you' if they get a robe just so that they look good in the getting ready photos but they'll never use it again!

Hi,

I'm stuck with this too.

I gave the bridesmaids a necklace as a proposal gift (which now I think has made it difficult as now I need to find other gift alternatives as thank yous). I'm giving them the matching earrings on the morning which they'll wear on the day (they'll wear the necklace if their dresses don't have high necklines).

My dilemma is... do I give the bridesmaids a thank you gift (maybe the matching bracelet) at the speeches? or could I use the earrings as a thank you gift (although they'll get it on the morning and nothing at the speeches). Which means the mother of the bride/groom will receive flowers at the speeches and nobody else will receive anything. Or should we also give them to mother of bride/groom also on the morning. And what about the groomsmen? Do they get gifts? Do they get them at the speeches or morning?

For the Hen, I have champagne/wine glass charms made for each guest (a small do) cheap from Etsy as a thank you and the Bridal Shower, I have put small chocolate hearts (in our colour theme) in a pretty bag, again cheap.

I also got some satin robes for the morning, mainly for photos but I managed to get them so they can wear them afterwards too, so no personalisation or job title on the back. I just text everyone asking what size they are. Nobody asked why.

I think people do expect something, sadly (or my lot do anyway)

Would also love to hear peoples thoughts on this! My hen is in 2 weeks (eek!!) and I would love to get everyone attending a small something but I'm just not sure if it's the done thing, or will cost me an arm and leg! For the morning of my wedding, I've bought matching cotton PJ's (again, in the hope they will re-wear - nothing with names or roles on the back) and also a silver bracelet from the white company. This will be gifted whilst we are getting ready and will be a surprise. Both parents (flowers for mothers), and groomsmen (engraved Aspinal of London card holder) will also get their gifts in the morning, not during speeches.

Hope that helps

Ahh!! How exciting for you! I guess with regards to costing an arm and a leg.. it depends how big it is? If you only have a few people, it could be really sweet? But think if it's a large group, maybe just something for the bridesmaids as a thank you (from reading above!).

Love the White Company bracelet and pjs - agree on getting something which doesn't have roles or dates on. I've heard some people do discreet monogramming which I'm thinking could be cute on a pocket?

What are you doing for the dad's if the mothers are getting flowers? Great shout on the card holders! And can't go wrong with Aspinal And like the idea of doing morning of rather than during speeches.. keep it more intimate?

Thank you so much! There are 18 of us, so I was thinking do I do goody bags / hangover kits, or just not worry about it and show how eternally grateful I am during our time together!!
Discreet monogramming sounds SO cute!! Open to any ideas you have for dads, we're completely stuck (handkerchiefs went through my mind, or is that totally lame )!!

I think a hangover kit is really nice! Perhaps with a favourite photo of you with that person? Shows the thought and effort without being crazy money?

I'm thinking handkerchief for my dad (but he uses them) - and getting it embroidered with something personal. No idea what to do for FIL though! I think if they are traditional men who would use handkerchiefs, it works! Not lame at all!!

Also, this is making me feel so much better and you've given me some great ideas - thanks so much!

Over the years I've been gifted - a simple gold necklace with a little pearl when I was a flower girl, a little silver clock from my mum when I was her bridesmaid and a necklace when I was a bridesmaid.

I'm planning on getting my bridesmaids a simple dolly bag to use on the day which is the same colour as their dresses and a simple silver pendant necklace of some kind. We've bought the groomsman and best man kilt pins with their clan crests, and the groomswoman a pendant necklace with her clan crest so it all matches. It's something they can wear on the day and also have as a keepsake. We plan to give these to our 'squads' on the morning of the wedding.
I too have seen the social media influencer posts, and my bridesmaids know that I don't have lots of money to spend - they even offered to buy their own dresses, but I insisted I paid for them.

I haven't planned anything for parents on the day - other than I was going to get a photo printed and framed for them after the wedding as a thank you.

I've never seen gifts being given at a hen thing. When I was a bridesmaid, me and the MOH got the bride a silly t-shirt, tiara and 'bride' sash on her hen day, and made sure her share of the activities was covered. It was our chance as her family/friends to have fun, celebrate and prepare her for her wedding day and we didn't expect anything from her. Our gift was getting to come to her wedding!