Budget-friendly Gift Ideas for the Wedding Party

Whether it's a wedding shower or bridesmaid's luncheon, searching for the perfect gift or favor that celebrate the occasion frequently means extending our budgets and splurging on expensive items - often resulting in poor choices. However, why break the bank when it is possible to find gifts and favors that are high on style, but friendly to the wallet. All you need is an inch of practicality and imagination to help you find the perfect item for everyone on your checklist. Once you're done, use eye-catching gift wrapping that look gorgeous yet inexpensive to find. To view some money-saving ideas on thoughtful gifts for your wedding entourage, visit our Duo+Ables section.

For the Bridesmaids - Gifts for the Home

The average wedding entourage can consist of as little as three to as many as twelve bridesmaids. When finding bridesmaids gifts, it is common for brides to either give the same gift for all or a different gift that is personalized according to the individual. While the latter option is certainly a great idea, personalization in the form of engraving, embroidery, or printing can be expensive for some. Therefore, many brides choose to buy the same gift for all bridesmaids. A common approach to purchasing gifts is to find something attractive yet useful such as decorative objects and accents for the home. For example, flower vases, desk picture frames, and jewelry keepsake boxes are nice gifts, which will definitely be used at home.

Another option is give candle or bath sets that make wonderful aromatherapy gifts. Any of these gifts can be packaged nicely with a feminine flair at heart. You can choose a handy gift bag with an elegant motif rendered as a rose, butterfly, or seashell, a glossy white gift box tied with a simple satin ribbon, or a luxurious fabric gift wrap made of materials such as silk, organza, or linen. Any of them can be enhanced with subtle embellishments or ribbons. For instance, you can use an ornament with a seasonal element like a snowflake, shamrock, or heart as a small yet chic element to the presentation of your gift.

For the Maid of Honor - Gifts for the Fashionista

She's your sister, your high school best friend, or college roommate - the Maid of Honor is the one who knows you more that anybody else in the wedding party. Express your gratitude for her friendship by selecting fashionable gifts, which will definitely go into good use. Look for stylish gifts that she can wear or use as an accessory. It can be a dress shawl to wear at an outdoor event, an exquisite purse she can take with her on a date, or a necklace she can wear at a dinner. To create a beautiful gift presentation when giving a dress shawl or purse, use natural materials such as handmade mulberry paper or sinamay as elegant packaging ideas. As for jewelry, you can use an organza or silk gift bag with a pretty design of embroidery or needlework to package jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, or earrings. Finally, be sure to use accents such as ribbons, charms, and a gift card to personalize each gift with a thoughtful note from the bride.

For the Best Man and Groomsmen - Gifts of All Sorts

While wine flasks, cufflinks, and money clips have been on every bride's gift list, ask any guy and they will tell you that these are not very useful gift ideas especially at a time when electronic gifts, accessories, and other similar items are on every guy's wish list. Since electronic gifts can be expensive, a sensible strategy is to find accessories that cater to a specific type of interest. It can pertain to wine, sports, or watches to name a few examples. For instance, a wine accessory such as a bottle opener is the perfect gift for the wine connoisseur among the groomsmen. Another wonderful idea is to give watch stands or accessory cases as gifts. Look for those made in a masculine design and material such as leather, suede, chrome, or brushed metal. As for packaging these types of gifts, a popular idea is to use silver or gold wrapping paper paired with a dark ribbon color of navy, burgundy, or winter green. When looking to give gifts that are odd-sized such as CDs, DVDs, or wine bottles, use a fabric to wrap them because the fabric will conform to the shape of the gift - a color such as gold or olive would be appropriate to use. Alternatively, a convenient gift box tied with a ribbon is also a fast and elegant choice.

For the Wedding Guests – Favors for the Sweet Tooth in Everyone

Budget-friendly and pleasing to the palate - bulk candy is the answer to giving favors that definitely won't get left at the table - just go online and search the web for "bulk candy" or "wholesale candy". Although Jordan almonds are the de facto wedding candy, unique candy and gourmet chocolates are making their way to the edible favor scene. Many couples have gone creative with finding wedding candy. Nostalgic candy for example, such as candy pop rings and lollipops are fun candy to give out as favors. Chocolate truffles filled with a decadent filling such as hazelnut or raspberry are now being given out to guests as alternatives to solid milk chocolate candy. Some brides choose to present them alone in a cello bag with a favor tag or resort to elaborate packaging that conforms to the design of their wedding decor and personal style. As an example, you can place a truffle in a lovely keepsake box. Guests can enjoy a little treat and keep the box as a precious memento. Another option is to use take-out boxes, pails, or sinamay favor boxes that are tied with a ribbon and filled with an assortment of candy. If you need additional ideas, visit our favor packaging section.