For the Girls

Bridesmaid gifting is a newer tradition, but it’s definitely an important one. Your ladies shelled out an awful lot of time, effort, and money to participate in your big day so naturally, it would be nice to thank them with a token of some sort. Budget notwithstanding, there are plenty of ways to make your girls feel special.

 

I am a big believer in the box, basket, or bag of goodies — smaller, affordable things that are filled with meaning and will be used. Or, you could go all-out and spend more per item, focusing on one lovely piece of jewelry or other wedding-day accessory, or something each girl will individually use and love.

 

I commissioned my dad who is an incredible artisan of vintage-look pots made of antique dishes to create a small vessel for each girl. Inside, I put a small bottle of pink champagne, a gold bracelet with a bow, a bottle of Jo Malone perfume, and some other small goodies. These days, many companies are making it super-easy for you to pick a gift — Kate Spade has an entire line devoted to the cause, J. Crew’s baubles are wedding-day ready, and the internet is a veritable sea of ideas. Get picking!

This is a really sweet little gift box and you could pick gem colors to match your wedding scheme. $18 each. For the Maids via Etsy.

Got a preppier crowd? These monogrammed totes are perfect. It’s not only cute — she’ll get so much use of it. $25 each; Ballard Designs.

Floral robes are becoming more and more popular by the season — it’s a comfy, pretty solution to what to wear while getting ready, and something she’ll use and enjoy once the festivities are over, too. Sets start at $130 for two — Plum Pretty Sugar for pricing and design details.

These adorable mini jewelry boxes with monogrammed rings inside are just darling. You could do this affordably by going through an Etsy vendor for the rings and sourcing the boxes at a local antique store.

Or, check out these maid of honor and bridesmaid bangles from Kate Spade. $58 apiece and available in silver-tone, gold-tone, or rose gold-tone, these stunners are just perfect. In fact, so is everything that comes up when you type “bridesmaid” into Kate’s search tool on the site.

TOSS: My New Obsession from R. Nichols

We all know this girl loves a good candle. I couldn’t help but fall over myself in glee, therefore, when one of my favorite companies came out with a new scent and design especially tied to weddings. Artfully called TOSS, this sweet candle has a girl-centered POV, with the focus on that special iconic moment when the bride tosses her wedding bouquet. I’ve always loved taking part in this fun tradition.

Right before the toss at my wedding — notice my bridesmaid Jackie poised for the moment! (She ended up splitting it with the other girl in pink).

Featuring a whimsical design with the bride hurling her buds backyard to a line of waiting single ladies, the graphic is just perfect for a coffee table, kitchen island, bedside table, or boudoir. And even though I’m already married, this is just the type of gift I would have loved to receive for my engagement party, bridal shower, or wedding. It also doubles as a sweet token the bride can give to her ‘maids.

Not only is the packaging on this piece absolutely lovely, in a white-and-black box tied with a cerulean bow, but what’s inside is a true treasure. R. Nichols candles are like little works of art, each offering up its own special graphic to draw in the eye. But perhaps even better than the pretty canister (which you can reuse, by the way) the scent of TOSS is amazing.

R. Nichols describes the scent profile on this one as “a pure and innocent bouquet of the most beautiful white flowers… White freesia are embellished with sprigs of lily of the valley, orchids and stephanotis. Hints of white peony and creamy rose petals are scattered through the fragrance for textured femininity. And notes of jasmine blushed with pink and budding red currant blossoms add a touch of soft rose color.” I couldn’t capture it better. Open this candle and with closed eyes and you’ll imagine you’re sniffing the most beautiful wedding bouquet. Speaking of beauty, it’s designed so that as your candle burns, the playful exterior design will be illuminated from within. Just lovely!

For a little something extra, invest in this charming pair of luggage tags for the bride- and groom-to-be. We might not be headed on another honeymoon anytime soon, but Josh and I plan to use these on our next couples’ trip anyway. Such a sweet gift for the couple — and one that will continue to make them smile for years to come. Candle, $32, and luggage tags, $6 each, available at R. Nichols.