Georgina Clatworthy

By Georgina Clatworthy

You will want to say a personal thank you to those people who have helped you throughout your wedding planning and on the wedding day itself. It is traditional to give wedding party gifts to your attendants and perhaps to those people who gave readings or musical performances at the wedding.

You do not need to spend a fortune on your wedding party gifts but the gifts you do give should be appropriate for each person. It is usual to spend more on gifts for your maid of honor and best man and to give items like jewelry which can be kept as treasured keepsakes.

When you give your gifts is entirely up to you. Some couples like to give them out at the rehearsal dinner when it is a little more intimate and personal, whilst it is more traditional to give them out at the reception on the wedding day. Usually the groom would have them out as part of his speech but as the bride you may want to become involved as well by giving gifts to the moms and other people such as your wedding planner.

The people you should give gifts to include the following members of your wedding party:

• Maid of Honor: she will probably have been invaluable to you during the wedding planning and on the day itself so she deserves a special and individually chosen gift. Consider a necklace, watch, spa day or designer handbag.
• Best Man: just like the maid of honor he will have been your groom’s right hand man throughout the wedding planning and will be the one responsible for ensuring runs according to plan on the wedding day. Consider cufflinks, case of wine, sports tickets or a watch.
• Adult Bridesmaids: some brides choose to pay for their bridesmaids outfits and/or accessories and often feel that is enough of a gift but it is polite to give some small gesture on the wedding day itself so consider earrings or a voucher for a beauty treatment.
• Junior Bridesmaids and Page Boy: some brides will pay for their outfits whilst the parents may foot the bill in other cases. Either way it is nice to give them some sort of memento of the day. Think about a locket or charm bracelet for the girls and a teddy bear or toy for the boys.
• Ushers: whilst they do not play a huge role in the wedding day their contribution is essential to ensuring the smooth running of the day so they too deserve a thank you. Consider cufflinks, engraved tankard or a leather wallet.
• Mothers: the two moms will probably have worked hard to help you with the wedding and to ensure no-one falls out during the planning! Whilst both parents will probably have made contributions it is traditional to present the moms with large bouquets as a thank you at the reception. You could also send them gifts they both enjoy such as restaurant vouchers or theatre tickets. Another idea if a framed photograph from the wedding or a tree for the garden.