Homemade Bridal Party Gifts

Rebecca , Wellington

Erin answers...

Your bridesmaids and groomsmen should be those people who you love, who you count on and who are closest to you - so it's a great idea to give them something made from the heart.

Even more, your attendant gifts certainly don't have to cost an arm and a leg. It's more important they have meaning and a degree of sentimentality, as they are a sign of your gratitude for having them their by your side as you take the most meaningful step in your life.

Here are a few creative ideas that you can make yourself!

1.    Soaps & Scrubs. Make your attendant's homemade body soaps and scrubs in scents and flavours that fit in with your theme. It's really easy and doesn't cost much at all. After you've made the soaps, pick up some letter presses or stencils at a crafts store to press your initials and/or the date into the bars and wrap them in little bags with ribbon. Here's a great site with a bunch of soap recipes: http://www.teachsoap.com/recipes.html
2.    Jewellery. This is a great way to show your bridesmaids you appreciate them. Pick up a jewellery making kit from a craft store or make beaded jewellery at a shop like Tiger Eye Beads (http://www.tigereyebeads.com). You can also make it an occasion and treat all your bridesmaids to a "bead making party", as places like these offer private, group bookings. If you can spend a bit more money, you could take a jewellery making class, and make your bridesmaids earrings and your groomsmen cufflinks. I'm actually taking a class right now that is fantastic! Contact Dorthe if you are interested in finding out more: http://www.vildersgallery.co.nz/courses.html 
3.    Candles. This is another lovely gift that you can make from home. Here's a great site with both candle and soap recipes: http://www.candletech.com
4.    Framed Photo. Why not find a great photo of each of your attendants with you and/or your fiance and frame it? Include a note with the framed photo or write a little something on the back of the frame. If you have the time and a pretty extensive library of pictures, make a collage of photos for each attendant instead of just one shot.
5.    A Letter. One of the sincerest gifts you can give is a letter to each of your attendants, telling them why they mean so much to you and how happy you are that they will be a part of your wedding.
6.    Recipes. If you are skilled in the kitchen, write up your favourite recipes, make a cover with a "dedication" to your attendants and bind it into a recipe book.
7.    A Homemade Meal. Invite your bridal party around for a casual dinner, your shout. Let them know that the dinner is in honour of them, because they all mean so much to you.
8.    Little Miss and Mr Men. This isn't homemade, but it is a cute, cheeky, little gift. Match each person from your bridal party to a Little Miss or Mr Men book, and write a special message on the inside front cover. It's pretty easy to find the right match, as there are so many characters to choose from - Little Miss Scatterbrain, Mr Grumpy, Mr Chatterbox etc...
9.    Wedding Shot. Present your groomsmen and bridesmaids with cards or letters on the day, letting them know that they will receive something special in the months following the wedding. Ask your photographer/s to take individual photos of the groom with each of his groomsmen (and possibly with you) and individual photos of you with each of your bridesmaids (and possibly your husband). Print and frame a professional photo for each of the bridal party. NOTE: If your bridal party is a close bunch of friends, or if it's going to cost too much to print the individual prints, then have one taken of all of you together.
10.    Bottle to Remember. Buy each of your bridal party a nice bottle of wine. Tie a card or note to it, asking them to keep it for a year so that you can toast together on or just after your first anniversary. NOTE: You should match your wine/bubbly to your bridesmaids and groomsmen, choosing bottles they will like and bottles that will last a year! If someone doesn't drink wine, then get him or her a small bottle of spirits/liqueur or sparkling grape juice.
11.    Embroidered Handkerchiefs. Embroider hankies for the boys and the girls with your wedding date or their initials. Boys need hankies for their suits and girls need them for tears during the ceremony or speeches!
12.    Mixed Tape! I know...you're not 14 years old, but this is a sentimental and affordable way to show your bridal party they are special! Make them compilation CDs, with songs that have meaning for each of you and that of your friendship.