Bridesmaid Gifts
Your wedding is one of the most important days in your life, and your bridesmaids are the women who will see you through it. You have dreamed of and planned this wonderful day since you were a little girl, and along the way you have chosen some very special friends and relatives to make this day the memorable occasion you have longed for. When you ask these women to be your Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor, or to join you on the altar as bridesmaids or a flower girl, you are recognizing a special bond of sisterhood that will endure forever.

But that sisterhood comes at a price, and it's not always easy being a bridesmaid. These same girls will be taking on numerous responsibilities, many of which will include a significant investment of time and often money. They will be organizing and holding your bridal shower and purchasing the dresses, shoes, and accessories that will be needed for your day. There will be trips to the nail salon and hair stylist, and of course travel to and from your ceremony. For them, the honor of being a part of your romantic day is reward enough, and sisterhood is measured in a currency beyond time or money, but it is nonetheless extremely important to find ways to express your gratitude to your bridesmaids as your wedding approaches.

There are several ways for you to say "thank you" to your bridesmaids, and what you choose to do will ultimately be the result of the unique relationship that exists between you and them. Consequently, there is no universally right or wrong way to thank your bridal party, but below are some common ideas that have worked for many brides.

Holding a Bridesmaids' Luncheon
Bridesmaid gifts are far and away the most popular way to say thanks, and we'll get to those in a moment, but a bridesmaid gift isn't the only way to show your appreciation. Enter the bridesmaids' luncheon.

Considered a "lost" wedding tradition until recently, the bridesmaids' luncheon has begun to make a huge comeback with modern brides. As the name implies, it is not a shower or a bachelorette party. You, the bride, host the luncheon yourself in recognition of all your bridesmaids' hard work and support during the long months of planning your wedding. Your wedding may be all about you, but so are all of the pre-wedding events held in your honor. Holding a bridesmaids' luncheon is a way to give them some of the same attention they've lavished on you.

Many top wedding planners agree, and there is a general consensus that bridesmaids' luncheons should be a part of your wedding planning, although the form it takes should be up to you. As such, the luncheon can be as simple or complex as you wish, ranging from a simple after-work get-together at a local restaurant to an elegant meal in a hotel dining room complete with fine china, white table linens and a string quartet in the background. You can even include women involved in your wedding who might find themselves left out of some of your other events, including the mothers of the bride and groom and participants such as the soloist, organist, and church lecturers.

Most bridesmaids' luncheons are held relatively close to the wedding itself, often occurring a week or two prior to the ceremony, especially if the attendants are more local. If some of your attendants are traveling in from out of state for the wedding, however, you may want to consider holding the luncheon only a day or two in advance of your big day to spare them the expense of traveling twice.

Choosing a Unique Bridesmaid Gift
Which brings us to some bridesmaid gift ideas! Even if holding a bridesmaids' luncheon isn't feasible, you will still want to choose a very unique bridesmaid gift for each and every bridal attendant. Remember, this special thank you gift will be a symbol of remembrance of your special day and should truly come from the heart. Every bridal party is, of course, unique, so your heartfelt gifts can be just about anything: a simple engraved key chain; a very elegant chain and engraved locket; other jewelry; tote bags; even barware, there are as many possibilities as there are types of women in the world. The important thing is to try choosing a gift that fits the personality and situation of your attendants. An engraved key chain, for example, may not be as exciting for a flower girl or young attendant who isn't old enough to drive or have keys. Or if you settle on earrings, for instance, make sure all your bridesmaids have pierced ears.

While it is traditional to purchase bridesmaids gifts that are similar or in the same price range, they don't need to be identical. You can arrange your bridesmaids gifts around a central theme but allow yourself some variability to match the special circumstances of each of your special women. In the case of the younger attendants, Brides' Village carries a selection of Flower Girl Gifts that are just as elegant but guaranteed age-appropriate. By putting a little thought behind each present, you can make all your bridesmaids gifts the sort of memorable keepsakes that mean the most.

And for more great bridesmaid gift ideas, you can find personalized handkerchiefs for yourself, moms, grandmothers, and of course your bridesmaids in our Finishing Touches section. A fine selection of Engravable Toasting Glasses are also available for bridal party gifts.

Say Thanks with a Wedding Album
But of all the bridesmaid gift ideas out there, the wedding album may be our favorite, and a nice wedding photo album can make a sweet remembrance gift of your special day. This is a perfect post-wedding project that will let them know how much you still care even after all the festivities are over. You can have each album engraved with the name and date and add a few special pictures of you with your respective bridal attendant. This personal touch is guaranteed to turn the album into a cherished gift they will treasure forever.

If you're thinking of going this route, then remember to buy some Disposable Wedding Cameras and have some of your guests take pictures; this is a great way to get shots the photographer doesn't. Simply add these to the professional pictures you place in this special photo album for a nice blend of memories.

Most of All, Say Thanks
Luncheons, bridesmaid gifts, and keepsakes are all wonderful ways to cherish and honor the bond between you and your bridesmaids, but as with all personal relationships and matters of the heart, the only right way to express your appreciation is the way that's right for you. Whether you go to great expense to pamper your bridesmaids or if time and budget limitations make giving them the royal treatment impossible, what matters most is that your bridesmaids know that their friendship is as important to you as yours is to them. So, no matter what else you do, send them a thank you card and when you get the chance, thank each of them personally.

Expressing your gratitude may only take a moment, but your sisterhood is forever.