Double Duty Gifts for Bridesmaids

A fun way for a bride to purchase gifts that will please her attendants is to choose items that
can be used on the wedding day and enjoyed afterwards as well.

Necklaces and earrings that match the attendants’ gowns are a traditional gift that fills this niche, but nowadays brides often go one step further by buying jewelry that can be used to decorate the stems of the attendants’ bouquets as well as serve for gifts afterwards. Glamorous pins are ideal for this and easy for a florist to clip to the bouquets’ satin wraps. Pins aren’t the only item that can be used on bouquets.

Glittery key rings with fobs in the shape of the bridesmaids’ initials work wonderfully—and the letters will help distinguish which bouquet belongs to which attendant. Small engraved lockets or charms can also be used. And don’t forget jewels for the attendants’ hair. Rhinestone hairpins or decorative clips add sparkle to the wedding day and will be cherished forever.

Weather-related gifts by their nature serve a double duty.

Umbrellas personalized with a wedding sentiment or the attendants’ names can be purchased in the wedding colors or bright funky colors for a fun touch. Not only will the umbrellas be useful for years to come, but they can be a lifesaver against wedding day showers or sun—and they make a fabulous artsy accent pieces in wedding photos.

Even if the wedding is in midsummer, the day or evening could turn cool. Pretty sweaters with satin, rhinestone or pearl buttons in a color that either match or accent the bridesmaids’ gowns are very practical gifts. Matching sweaters also look a hundred times better in photos than a hodgepodge of cover-ups or attendants hugging themselves to ward off goose bumps. And who wouldn’t welcome the gift of a new sweater? Or how about a pashmina shawl instead?

Bridesmaids often scrimp cost wise when buying shoes to match their gowns. A bride can give her attendants a gift certificate to a shoe store, so the shoes can be upgraded to something that will be enjoyed in the future. Or a bride could simply offer to purchase her attendants’ shoes.

Another shoe related gift would be to purchase footwear for the attendants to wear at the reception.

These could be fun glittery flip-flops, pretty ballet flats or even cute sneakers with hearts or jewels on them—anything comfortable and good for dancing in.

Beauty aides are also a gift that can be used on the wedding day and afterwards.

One of the keys to making beauty items serve double duty is to put them in a keepsake container.

A bride could place the beauty items in a pretty china or wooden box. Stripey totes are also perfect, as are make-up bags with hearts on them or even small duffels in the wedding colors. When deciding what to put in the box or bags think of what the attendants might need on the night before and the day of the wedding.

High quality shampoos, perfume and even chocolate are good choices, but a bride can also add less expensive fun items like lip gloss and sunscreen, or bath soak and foot scrub.
When choosing beauty items try to pick ones that follow a theme such as tropical scented, or use the wedding color or style.

Manicure or pedicure sets accented with foot scrub and nail polishes are sure to please.
An easy way to fill up space in larger totes is to put a rolled beach towel on the bottom of the tote, or even a hotel style robe or beach cover-up.

Brainstorming double duty attendant gifts is easy, a bride simply has to think about what the bridesmaids will need on the night before and the day of her wedding.

Then upgrade that item from everyday quality to something special either by purchasing a higher quality than the bridesmaids might normally use or by personalizing it with the attendants’ initials or by making it match the wedding colors.

Double duty gifts will not only make the bridesmaids feel special on the wedding day, but will bring them happiness in days to come.

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Pat Esden Pat has worked in the wedding industry for over twenty-five years. As a master floral designer and owner of Esden Florist in Fairfield, Vermont, she sees the yearly changes in wedding styles and is familiar with the time-honored traditions and in tune with the new conventions

Vermont Bride Magazine - Vermont's Most Trusted Wedding Resource Since 1990

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