Brides-to-be, listen up! If you’re hung up on what and how to gift your bridesmaids with something that will serve as both a thank you and an enduring memory of your destination wedding, consider the following:
- A Gift That Will Hang Around
Personalized, handmade wood hangers will surprise her when she opens the closet of her destination wedding digs, thatched hut or luxe hotel. As she hangs up her clothes, voila! Her name and the wedding date are engraved on the hangers, a gift from the bride and a tidy way to remember the big day. (.DelovelyDetails.com)
2. A Gift That Holds
From Aruba to Anguilla, St. Barth’s to the Bahamas, the colors of soft sand and lambent waters say Caribbean wedding. So how about a beautiful little blue-blue bauble box impressed with a pretty dove-white monogram for each bridesmaid? Put it in her room on the vanity table or dresser and she’ll do a double take when she realizes it’s just for her. (.monogram-shop.com)
3. A Gift to Bottle up the Occasion
A wedding in a vineyard — Sonoma or South Africa — is a lush affair. Personalize a floral, bevel-cut, etched glass Wine Stopper with your name and initial plus a little mantra for remembrance. Announce at the rehearsal dinner (a wine tasting, of course) that the Wine Stoppers are actually gifts for the bridesmaids. (.personalizationmall.com)
4. A Gift that Says Eternal
Enough already with the chocolates — when it comes to turn-down service, surprise your bridesmaids by arranging to have a Moonlight Brilliance Beaded Bangle from Alex and Ani carefully placed on her pillow. What fun to have a gift of jewelry turn up on the turn down! And this expandable bracelet crafted of seed pearl-like beads will be a reminder of the destination I Do’s and her illuminating participation in it. (.alexandani.com)
5. A Pretty and Practical Gift
What could be cuter than this red striped cotton seersucker travel jewelry roll from Mark and Graham? It has pockets for rings, bracelets, necklaces and other nuggets. Comes in navy, too. Tuck it under her napkin at the bridesmaid’s luncheon and witness the delight with which it’s received. (.markandgraham.com)
6. An Entertaining Gift
The destination is an island like Key West, where the sunsets are famously beautiful, prized by the likes of James Audubon and Tennessee Williams, who is said to have introduced the practice of applauding the setting sun. Have the venue pack personal picnic baskets or boxes. Along with the edible/drinkable goodies in each basket is a set of four white linen cocktail napkins embroidered with the bridesmaid’s monogram, wrapped in tissue and tied with a wedding color bow. (.bellalino.com)
7. A Gift That’s a Wrap
You’ve arrived at your destination and organized for your each bridesmaids a Spa massage and facial, the perfect way to dial down after the vagaries of travel. As she is ushered into the treatment room, she is handed a black kimono-style robe. Presto! On the front, embroidered in stylish silver thread, is her monogram. The flirty robe, made in Los Angeles, is baby-skin soft and made from silky charmeuse, a personalized reminder of your special day. (.weddingprepgals.com)
8. Best Buds Gift
We think a crystal bud vase is a wonderful gift for your bff’s (aka bridesmaids). It’s meant to hold a single rose, a spray of mini orchids or a few spring cuttings. Monogram or engrave it with the bridesmaid’s initial and put it above her luncheon place setting – complete with a posy. That way it serves double duty – enlivens the table with the sparkle of crystal and the joy of fresh-cut flowers and is a keepsake of your destination wedding. (.crystalclassics.com)
9. A Gift That Is the Bag
Who doesn’t need a pretty little bag to carry your iPhone, lipstick and comb? Pursecase was designed for just this purpose. This petite clutch with gold hardware comes in a variety of colors, so you can match (or mix) the color of your bridesmaids’ dresses. And it comes with a wristlet and a detachable cross-body chain strap. Present them at your Bachelorette Party by tieing them to balloons and watch the fun pop. (.pursecase.com)
10. A Charming Gift of Place
Whether the destination is domestic, tropical, continental, or almost anywhere in the world, you can gift your bridesmaids with a charm to mark the place. Jet Set Candy carries “luggage tag” charms bearing airport codes of more than 200 destinations around the world. Wrap a sterling silver “luggage tag” charm on a necklace chain in tissue and put it in an emptied Dots Candy box, set on each bridesmaid’s plate at your rehearsal dinner. Imagine her surprise when the candy turns out to be Jet Set Candy. Oh, they can be engraved, too. (.jetsetcandy.com)
