500 Wedding Ideas
What is the etiquette for bridesmaids to give gifts to the brides?
I'm a bridesmaid in 3 weddings this year, and have several other good friends getting married whose weddings I'm either attending or missing. When faced with all the bridal showers, bachlorette parties, wedding registries, etc. I have no idea if it is expected for me to get each bride / couple something or not for those whose wedding I'm in and whose wedding I'm not in. As a student, this can get expensive and obviously being a bridesmaid 3 times is a big financial commitment as it is. What is the proper etiquette here?
Public Comments
- Going or not, in the wedding or not, if you are invited to something, wedding, shower, bachelorette...it is considered "polite" to either bring or send a gift. At the very least, if you do not go to a particular bride's shower and bachelorette, you at least send a gift to the wedding.
- First of all nothing should be expected at all and if it is shame on them. You give what you can afford to give and if they are true friends they will understand that. If they don't understand then you should re-evaluate your friendship.
- Well I never expected a present from my bridesmaids, but they went in together (there were just 2) to buy us a present. I think it is appropriate to get a present for anything you are invited to - however I don't think you need to spend a lot of money, especially if you have the financial obligations of a bridesmaid! Also - I didn't get any presents for my bachelorette party because I asked people to pay for themselves - their present to me was their attendance. It does depend on what has been organised as to whether or not you should bring a present as well. Do what you can and anything you do should be appreciated by the couples - if not I wouldn't be their friends!
- You should get gifts, even if they are small. If you can't afford to be in 3 weddings and buy gifts for 3 weddings, you should have declined.
- An idea would be to chip in with the other bridesmaids to give a beautiful gift like a vacuum cleaner...something that would be very expensive for one girl but not for three or four. So think about that and suggest it to the bridal party.
