Do Bridesmaids Give Wedding Gifts? (2024)

Being a bridesmaid is one of the biggest honors—you get to stand by the bride’s side on one of the most important days in that person’s life. While this role comes with many fun and exciting responsibilities, like attending several pre-wedding celebrations and helping the person of the hour change into their special outfit, being a member of the bridal party can also be a big financial commitment. As a bridesmaid, not only will you make an appearance at the wedding but also at a handful of events leading up to the big day—and each one has costs related to attire, travel, accommodations, etc. that you’ll need to pay for, which can really add up.

With that in mind, since being a member of the bridal party is an expensive endeavor, you might be wondering, "Do bridesmaids give wedding gifts?" According to Oniki Hardtman, owner and creative director of Oh Niki Occasions, and Kira Sullivan, associate planner at Calluna Events, it is customary to give the bride a gift, even if you're a member of the wedding party. That said, there are ways to manage this situation if you don't have room in your budget and have already spent a significant amount of money prepping for your friend's big day.

Whatever situation you might find yourself in, we asked Hardtman and Sullivan to further break down the proper gift-giving etiquette for bridesmaids. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know.

Wedding Gift-Giving Etiquette for Bridesmaids

Standard etiquette rules state that bridesmaids should plan on gifting their friends a wedding gift. You can either pick out an item from the registry (if the couple has one) or purchase a meaningful and thoughtful piece, like monogrammed pillows for the pair’s home or a photo of the duo in a flower-stuffed frame. If you’re going the original route, Hardtman recommends selecting a gift that’s practical yet personal. “As a bridesmaid, the assumption is that you know the couple better than most, so please ensure you get something that is truly a reflection of them," she explains. It’s also advised to stick with the traditional etiquette regarding the price, which is typically $100 to $150 if you’re showing up solo.

If you don’t have a lot of funds left over to splurge on a special gift for the bride, however, you can always ask a few other bridesmaids to chip in on a present. Another option is gifting the bride a handwritten card. Sullivan says a group of bridesmaids at one of the weddings she planned presented the bride with a stack of love letters to open on the morning of her big day. This gesture will be much appreciated, and it’s more considerate than showing up empty-handed.

Bridesmaid Gift-Giving Etiquette at Pre-Wedding Events

While it’s appropriate to give the bride a wedding gift, you’ll also be attending many other celebrations ahead of the main event—so, you’re probably wondering if you’ll have to buy a present for each of these parties, too. Read on to see what the experts recommend.

The Engagement Party

If the couple is throwing an engagement party, this is the first wedding-related event that you’ll attend, so purchasing a gift is a thoughtful way to congratulate the bride—but it isn’t a requirement. Since these celebrations tend to take place near the couple’s engagement, they probably won’t have a registry this early on in the planning process. “Anything, from a bottle of wine to something that will be useful to the couple while on their planning journey is ideal,” Hardtman suggests for possible gifts. “Toasting flutes or a cake knife and serving set are wonderful keepsakes that the couple can use at the wedding and beyond.”

That said, Sullivan points out that if you’re traveling to an engagement party, there is less pressure to buy a gift for the couple. “You’ve spent money on a plane ticket and likely accommodations as well,” she points out.

The Bachelorette Party

One of your biggest responsibilities as a bridesmaid is planning and paying for the bachelorette party. Since you’ll already be investing a lot of money into this event, you aren’t expected to give a gift in addition. “We find very often that bachelorette groups are traveling to have memorable experiences together, and understandably, many of those come at a cost,” Hardtman notes. The exception is if the bachelorette party involves a lingerie shower. In that case, you’ll bring intimates or sleepwear for the bride to open.

The Bridal Shower

The purpose of a bridal shower is to “shower” the bride with gifts, so it’s expected to give a gift. However, if you’re hosting the event or helping to pay for the soirée, you definitely don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a luxe item. The one throwing the celebration will typically share the bride’s wedding registry information on the invitation, so feel free to select a gift from the curated collection. “If the couple has taken time to register for gifts, I always recommend purchasing low- to mid-range items from this list for the bridal shower if you are in the wedding,” Hardtman says. Choosing another apparatus for the couple’s home or a personalized present is also acceptable.

The Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner is technically an extension of the wedding, and since you will have already purchased a gift for the bride at this point, you won’t need to spend money on another. “Instead, use this opportunity to share the gift of your fond memories together, or give a speech that will mean a lot to the couple, wishing them the very best,” Hardtman poses instead.