Here's a little spoiler alert... even though you love your "BRIDE" labeled stuff, past your wedding day, your friends may or may not want to hit the gym with a large canvas bag that says "BRIDESMAID" on the front. Here are some alternative ideas to make them feel appreciated on the wedding day. 

1) Thoughtful Jewelry 

Who doesn't love a dainty necklace or bracelet that they can wear on the wedding day as well as in the years to come. Personalize the gift by including the birth stone or initial of your friend. Go above and beyond by putting the gift in a sweet bag with a thoughtful card. 

2) Water Bottle and Ready to Go Rose or Champagne 

For the water bottles: be sure to run them through the dishwasher and pre-fill them with fresh filtered water. On the morning of your wedding, bridesmaids will love that they have drinking water at the ready as they enter peak girl world. Pairing with a cute mini champagne or rose bottle also helps your party dive right in. No maid of honor running around trying to keep everyone's champagne glasses full. 

3) Getting Ready Makeup Bag with Goodies: 

No need to go overboard here. Think through if there are a few things that will help with your particular wedding day. Is it a hot sunny wedding in June? Water and mini sunscreens may be good to include. Maybe even a fan. Maybe if it is a "Getting Ready" bag you include fun headband or hair clips while they are doing their makeup, or even a lip gloss. Otherwise a cute bag with a notebook and sweet card is perfect. They'll look so cute all lined up for their arrivals. 

4) Wedding Day Purse (They can actually use) 

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Ok purses are a tricky thing for a bridesmaid. Getting them a "wedding approved" accessory (maybe even with a little tag or their name on it), could be a very useful item for this wedding and beyond. Something that hangs easily off their wrist is a great look. If you want to help them keep hands empty for the ceremony, coordinate a way to help them get their purses to their reception place settings once they arrive to the venue. They'll still appreciate having their phone and lip gloss easily accessible in the in between moments before and after the ceremony. 

5. Robe/ Pajamas

This is a tried and true wedding tradition. If you have a vision to be in matching or coordinated "getting ready" clothes, it can be very thoughtful to provide them. Even though this expense can add up, it's a bit extra of you to require your bridesmaids purchase their own robes or silky jammies (especially in your particular shade). I see most brides line these outfits up upon arrival, but if you want to be BETTER THAN THE REGULAR BRIDES (and who doesn't), I say: sneak a cute bag to each bridesmaid at the end of the rehearsal dinner the night before. That way, she can actually sleep in the sleepwear... go figure. 

6. On Brand Accessory

Western wedding, beach destination, or black tie formal. You're wedding has a theme. A Big Sur camping getaway weekend, a wine country wedding, a vintage or botanical inspired event. Play into the theme and offer some on brand swag. Whether you go cheap on amazon or big on Etsy, people love a themed cup, hat, t shirt, or bag. I prefer to go for quality and use-ability. One friend's wedding favor of camping mugs still gets use from me and my husband even 8 years later... because camping mugs are incredibly useful. So are wine openers, bottle openers, pocket knives, or even pop sockets. 

7. A Market Bag

Here's a thought... no trinkets, no plastic, no shot glasses, sunglasses, no "bridesmaid" t shirts anywhere... just a really cute market bag or basket filled with their floral bouquets. Each one can have a small name tag card hung onto it, or monogrammed onto it. Better than stamping everything all about your wedding- what about your wedding destination. A tote that says Big Sur or Italy (if that's where you are getting married) will be just as memorable as Mark and Julia 10.02.2027. Be sure you help them tell their bags or baskets apart but otherwise... let them fill it with all the stuff they brought to get ready with. How helpful. 

8. Custom Scarf or Bandana 

This one's a little out of the box, but as a scarf enthusiast I thought, how fun would it be to have mixed and matched scarves or bandanas. Scarves are so fun for tying around your neck, head, or bag. Smaller ones make great bag accessories and headbands, larger ones can even serve as a shawl. If your bridal party is small enough (or if your budget is big enough), go thrifting for some Hermes treasures. They don't have to match... in fact, it's more fun if they don't! 

9. Professional Hair and Makeup 

If you would like the uniformity of everyone's hair and makeup professionally done, then etiquette wise, it's best for you to cover the bill. When bride's do this for their bridal party I always encourage them that this is a gift right there. So if you were already planning on covering the cost of hair and makeup services (or even if your parents are), this could be your bridesmaids gift right there. Write them a sweet card and place the envelopes by their bouquets for their arrival. 

10. Lunch! 

There are a few staples to a wedding day. The bride usually forgets her garter, the photographer and the videographer step on each other's toes (literally and professionally), and of course... NO ONE (and I mean no one) EATS LUNCH.

Coordinating some sandwiches or salads to be dropped off could be your gift to your bridesmaids. Maybe it's something you ask a friend or sweet auntie to do. Hopefully it's not something you need to set up and clean up yourself. A fancy bride may even have a paid professional bring something in. If you want this to be your gift with the $60-$80 each you would have spent on a sage green robe they may or may not really want, you could have a fun table of healthy and hearty snacks to fuel your wedding party. Sure scarves and market bags could make your bridesmaids feel like they are in Paris. But you know what else will make them feel like they are in Paris... crepes.