Wow, this has got to be a first, a bride asking what she should do for her bridemaids rather than what they're supposed to do for her!!! I commend you on caring about your friends, and not thinking they're your indentured servants for the duration of your wedding planning.
Basically, if you read around here, you'll see brides going nuts over bridesmaid issues, some are genuinely the bridesmaid's fault, but most are the bride's fault.
Communicate CLEARLY with your bridesmaids what you expect of them. Remember that they do have a life outside of their relationship with you, and your wedding. Ask politely for help with wedding related tasks, and don't assume that because a bridesmaid isn't available to help that she doesn't want to be in your wedding anymore. All bridesmaids are really responsible for is purchasing their own wedding clothing, getting themselves to the wedding, etc. When you're choosing their looks, keep their financial situations in the back of your head--don't choose a bridesmaids gown that you know is well beyond their means, and remember that this is a dress they'll probably only wear for your wedding. The maid of honor usually hosts a bridal shower, sometimes she'll get the help of the other bridesmaids, sometimes she won't.
Generally, the bridesmaids help take some of the pressure off the bride. On wedding day, they may help to remind you to eat, help you go to the bathroom (if your dress is large, you need help negotiating a potty), and generally keep you calm.
Brides should get their bridesmaids each a small "thank you" gift for their help during the wedding, etc. Of course, you can spend as much as you're able to on this--if your wedding budget is $100K, you're going to look pretty silly handing over $20 gifts to your wedding party. I know brides who have paid for their bridesmaids hair and makeup the day of the wedding, in fact, if you want their hair and makeup professionally done, you should plan on paying for that for them yourself.
Just remember that your bridesmaids are, first and foremost, your friends. While I'm sure they're honored at being asked to stand with you on your big day, realize it is an imposition on them. They are taking their money and time and spending it on you. Of course, for friends that's no big deal, but just keep that thought in the back of your head at all times.
Best of luck with your wedding planning!
Whatever the bride feels she wants to be.
She could be one who lets her BMs pick their own dresses, just in the color she picks and the length.
She could be one who must pick out everything her BMs wear and how they have their hair.
Its really all up to the bride (and groom).
You can offer to pay for their dresses however most people these days cannot afford that, however, you do need to buy each of them a gift for being in your wedding party.
Friendship. Remember that your bridesmaids are your friends, not your bridal slaves. They have lives of their own, that do not involve your wedding. So don't be a bridezilla, expecting their total attention.
Consider expenses. Don't order the most expensive bridesmaids dresses around, and expect them to pay for it. Don't require a specific hairstyle . . . unless you are inviting the bridesmaids to your hair salon as your guests, and paying for everything yourself.
Get them a nice gift . . . a memento of the occasion. I suggest monogrammed tote bags and an engraved compact.
http://www.thingsremembered.com/
Alas! With all that you have to concern yourself with I will only give you a few pointers from a Bridal Consultant point of view. You are not responsible for the cost of the bridal party dresses. You can help with the purchase of accessories such as shoes, hair, nails etc. but this is optional. You are responsible for transporting the bridal party to the wedding and reception but not after. Thanking the members of the bridal party could be done at a bridal party luncheon or hosted by you or at the rehearsal dinner. It would be awesome to acknowledge each personal individually for their involvement and give each a gift item for example a necklace with locket inscribed with their initials, a set of earrings to wear during or after the wedding or give a gift you know each person would enjoy according to their own unique taste. Best Wishes!
Actually...all she really has to do is "thank" them for being in the wedding by giving them a small token of her appreciation. For instance you can give them jewelry for them to wear on your wedding day..you can treat them to a spa day..or you can pay for them to get their hair or nails donw for your wedding day
Bridesmaids pay for their own gowns, shoes, etc. You usually buy them a small thank you gift. Appropriate items are like earrings and a matching necklace set or small jewlery boxes with their initials or names carved on them. Presents usually run between $20-$30 each.
Actually its the other way around honey. Your bridesmaids are suppose to cater to you. They are suppose to take care of you. It's your day. You can get them a nice thank you gift. I
m getting my girls nice little diamond necklace from kay jewelry. Im getting my girls these.
1. Keep them well informed of what is expected of them and the wedding plans.
2. Always be very thankful of everything they are doing. Whether it be paying for their dresses, traveling to the wedding or to the bachelorette party, helping you plan, throwing you a shower, or even just listening to you talk about the wedding, the bridesmaids are doing a lot of work, so they should always know how much you appreciate it.
I am always saying Thank You to them. Write them thank you cards to give to them at the rehersal dinner with their gifts. Bridesmaids gifts can cost anywhere between $10 and $200 depending on your budget. I spent more than I meant to on my bridesmaid's gifts, about $50 a piece instead of the $30 I'd planned on, but I kept finding things to add. I also made cards for them and wrote a letter in each thanking them for all they do for me and for basically being there for me throughout the years.
I bought my bridesmaids each a purse from NY & Co. with a color that fits their individual styles, in the purse I put a thing of perfume, lip gloss, nail polish, mints, and a key chain. Then I put the goodie filled purse in a bag with a body butter matching the scent of the lipgloss and a scented candle.
Other ideas for gifts are: jewlery, books, organizer/address book, Bath & Bodyworks stuff, gift certificates, or something completely different for each of them (for example, if one girl really likes cooking but one really likes being crafty, get one a sushi kit (come in boxes for about $20 to $40) and the other a scrapbooking kit.
Actually, just getting them each a small gift is appropriate.
everyone here seems to have beat me to all the good answers, so i have to agree with them...
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