A question from a maid of honor on gifts…?
December 26th, 2009 | 
Author: I’m going to be the maid of honor for my best friend, and as this is the first time I’m a MOH, I’m a bit confused on the issue of gifts: Myself and the 2 other bridesmaids will be covering the bridal shower and bachelorette party, along w/ the usual dresses, makeup and nails the day of the wedding (in the other weddings I’ve been involved with, the bride’s family paid for most of that except for the bachelorette party, however my friend’s family is already financing most of the wedding, so we’re on our own). Since we’ll also be buying wedding gifts for the couple, are we also expected to give bridal shower gifts? Or is paying for the bridal shower and the bachelorette party gift enough? I’m not trying to be cheap, but I live by myself and don’t have a ton of $ to spend (neither do the other bridesmaids… one has 2 kids along with one on the way, and the other is saving up for her own wedding). What’s the etiquette in this situation?
Posted in Weddings | 
Tags: best friend, bridal shower gifts, bridesmaids, dresses, maid of honor, makeup, moh, nails, Wedding Gifts, Weddings
I was a MOH for a friend’s wedding, and I hosted her bridal shower at a restaurant and I footed the bill on my own. I actually forgot her shower gift, I was too busy with everything else! We laughed about it.
I also planned her Bachelorette Party, but there isn’t much to finance as far as that goes, other than games and trinkets.
I bought 1 gift for her. Some people will say that you should buy 1 shower gift and 1 wedding gift. I think that if you budget ahead of time exactly how much you’re going to spend, you can spend that amount on 2 gifts, or spend it all on 1. Either way, decide on the gift amount ahead of time.
The women who came to MY bridal shower did not get an additional wedding gift for me.
Honey, first of all I suggest going to a local library and checking out bridesmaid books. There are tons to choose from, and you get ALL your questions answered.
As far as this, though, I would say give the couple a fun wedding gift, not necessarily off the registry, and get her a fun homemade bridesmaid party gift. You can google up all sorts of ideas. I know how tight money can be, so since you’re expected to pay for so much the bride would be thankful to you just for footing those costs. That’s the real gift. Anything else you add is just a token.
Wedding etiquette calls for a gift for both the shower and the wedding when attending both. If you can’t afford to do this I’m sure your friend would understand. You can always try to go in on something with the other bridesmaids. This will cut the costs for all three of you!
Try http://www.theknot.com for tips on what is to be expected of you and the other bridesmaids and tips on the gifts and showers. There is a section for bridesmaids (and MOH’s), as well as for guests that give gift ideas.
You know, still pick up something nice for the shower. Just spend $20 and you can get something lovely.
Some ideas – ( you have to scroll down, their site is wonky today)
http://www.target.com/Blue-Blossom-2-Tier-Plate-Stand/dp/B000WUYAAE/sr=1-14/qid=1233061253/ref=sr_1_14/191-2758135-6269835?ie=UTF8&index=target&field-browse=1038576&rh=k%3Atiered%20platter&page=1
http://www.target.com/Wilton-Cookie-Pro-Ultra-II/dp/B000TADRTM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&searchView=grid5&pf_rd_r=0WE2GXV2RPC7V20FZ53B&node=1038576&pf_rd_s=center-3&field_browse=1038576&searchSize=30&pf_rd_t=301&field_availability=-2&id=Wilton%20Cookie%20Pro%20Ultra%20II&refinementHistory=subjectbin%2Ctarget_com_age%2Ctarget_com_gender-bin%2Ctarget_com_character-bin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchKeywords=wilton&pf_rd_p=490276211&searchNodeID=1038576&pf_rd_i=0&field_launch-date=-1y&searchRank=relevancerank&searchPage=1&pf_rd_m=A1VC38T7YXB528&field_keywords=wilton
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10285477
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10710681
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7695967