10 Gifts Your Bridesmaids & Maid-of-Honor Actually Want

10 Gifts Your Bridesmaids and Maid-of-Honor Actually Want – Brilliant Earth Bridesmaid Jewelry – Bridal Musings 1

Real talk my lovelies: there are bridesmaid gifts and then there are bridesmaid GIFTS. You know, the presents your ladies actually want, and might actually need.

What am I talking about? If and when you have the means to do so, choosing gifts for your bridesmaids & maid-of-honor that lighten the financial burden of attending & participating in your wedding. Gifts that truly honor & treat your crew showing up for you in this exciting time.

Bridesmaid-budgets aside, there’s also the ‘what they actually want’ factor. Customized party favors are fun but honestly, how often are your girls going to wear that calligraphed “Bridesmaid” t-shirt?

So here’s my pitch: if you’re planning presents for your bridesmaids & maid-of-honor, why not treat them to a gift they actually need for your wedding or will wear for years to come? Idea #1: fabulous sparkling, eco-friendly jewelry from Brilliant Earth that your bridal party can wear the day of and days beyond.

And I’m not saying you have to break the bank. In fact, Brilliant Earth has a selection of stunning jewelry ranging from absolutely affordable to lavish-worthy splurges. Shop gorgeous pendants & necklaces, bracelets, earrings, even rings that could tie together your bridal party’s look & also say, “thank you” in the most lavish & sparkling way.

10 Gifts Your Bridesmaids and Maid-of-Honor Actually Want – Brilliant Earth Bridesmaid Jewelry – Bridal Musings 2

Luxe Heritage Diamond Hoop Earrings by Brilliant Earth

10 Gifts Your Bridesmaids and Maid-of-Honor Actually Want – Brilliant Earth Bridesmaid Jewelry – Bridal Musings 3

Marquise Diamond Solitaire Pendant by Brilliant Earth

Examples: we love these dainty Martini Diamond Studs for an affordable yet fabulous sparkle. Or adorn your girls to these Marseille Diamond Hoop Earrings if you want to splurge. You could also choose gemstones that match your wedding colors, too, like these earrings in Hydrangea or Bouquet.

We’re sharing a number of other ideas, categories & gifts below that I’m sure will be a massive relief both financially & in gesture for your best friends…

1. Bridesmaid Jewelry

A sparkly & practical gift!

As I said before, we’re wild about Brilliant Earth’s beautiful collection of giftable jewelry. And with your bridesmaid & made-of-honor most definitely needing some baubles to go with their bridal party look, it’s the perfect special something to treat your girls to.

Personally, I think pendants & necklaces are always a sweet gift. You could go custom & engrave this beautiful Diamond Pendant.

Brilliant Earth

2. Bridesmaid Dresses

Have you selected the perfect gowns or ensembles for your bridal party? Well, if you can afford it, a classy bride gesture in my book is to purchase their gowns. Bridesmaid dresses (or jumpsuits, or suits) are pretty much the non-negotiable must-have when attending your BFF’s wedding so you know for sure they’ll need it!

Glamorous Destination Wedding In Sintra, Portugal – Passionate Photography

Photo by Passionate via Bridal Musings

3. Bridesmaid Shoes

Similarly, they can’t walk down the aisle barefoot. (Unless you’re getting married at the beach or maybe you’re just super cool, okay I’m getting ahead of myself…)

Whether or not your bride tribe is wearing matching heels, purchasing their shoes for your wedding may not only be a financial lift, but also something your gal pals are more likely to wear again after their stint as your bridesmaid.

Something Blue Bridal Heels Wedding Shoes – Bridal Musings

Photo via Anine Bing

4. Hair & Makeup

Are you hiring a beauty team to do your hair & makeup on your wedding day? Perhaps include your bridal party in the booking so they feel fabulous come bridal party photo time.

5. Nails, Facials & Spa

Similarly, you could send your gal pals to the spa in the days or weeks leading up to your wedding day. Massages & facials are obviously deluxe but even treating your bridesmaids to a mani-pedi is such a sweet gesture! You can even gift & mail your bride tribe a ‘signature wedding nail polish’ so you all match the day of.

Rustic and Ethereal Calamigos Forest Wedding – Tracy Rinehart 28

Photo by Tracy Rinehart Photography via Bridal Musings

6. Transportation Throughout Your Wedding Day

Want to hear a classy gift? Send your bridesmaids & maid-of-honor a hired car to drive them from venue to venue on your wedding day. I’m not saying you have to go full limo (but you can!) Sending an Uber or Lyft their way says, “I’m taking care of you”.

Plus, you don’t have to worry about anyone you love getting behind the wheel at the end of the night. Win-win!

7. Hotel Stay

Planning a destination wedding? Or booking a venue downtown? Treating your bridal party to a hotel stay the night of your wedding (and the night before, too) is an extremely lavish & wonderful gift if you can swing it.

Dreamy Pink Guatamalan Bridal Inspiration – LeeYen Photography 33

Photo by LeeYen Photography via Bridal Musings

8. Jackets & Shawls

I, Claire Eliza, am your always-cold-best-friend. And let me tell you, I get excited when I see a complimentary blanket or shawl while dining al-fresco or as a wedding favor. Even mid-summer it can get chilly late at night so treat your girls to some cozy warmth that can then be part of their home decor or wardrobe.

9. A “Plus-One”

If your wedding guest list is a strict, small one, I get it. But if there’s any room at all for plus-ones, your bridal party deserves them. If your girls are helping out with any wedding celebrations, bachelorette parties or just standing beside you on your day, it would be a lovely gift to let them have a date to the occasion. Yes, even if you don’t know the person they’re bringing.

Zac Posen for David’s Bridal by David Jenkins Photography and Pocketful of Dreams 43

Photo by David Jenkins Photography via Bridal Musings

10. A Gift Totally Unrelated to Your Wedding

Your wedding is AMAZING. And your girls are your bridesmaids for a reason: they’re super excited for you, they’re going to have a blast, and they can’t wait for your wedding day.

But! What if you thanked your bridesmaids & maid-of-honor with a gift that was entirely about them, rather than about your day? After all, they’re doing a hell of a lot of celebrating you during this wedding season.

My proposal, if they don’t need anything from the list above, is to choose a gift that’s “entirely them”. Whether that be jewelry (again, Brilliant Earth has the answer for this!), tickets to some event, a separate spa experience after the wedding.