How much should a bridesmaid give as a wedding gift? Help!!

cpe

Just wondering if anybody can help out, my friend is getting married in a few weeks and I was wondering as chief bridesmaid what is an appropriate amount to give?

Numbercruncher

Whatever you can afford!! There is no right or wrong here. I am sure you're friend is grateful for the help you are giving her and is not expecting a big gift. I was bm for my friend and gave her champage glasses, some little bits for her honeymoon and €400 but I didn't have to spend a penny for the wedding and she paid my accomodation too.

Petrolium Hat

Id say cover the costs at least(if you can afford it)....meal for anyone for the day costs prob round 100 yoyos approximately, then think of the cost of your dress, hair, makeup and accomidation(usually paid for by bride). All stacks up. Plus add ontop of that if you actually want to give them something as a presen.

NinjaTruncs

I don't agree with either of the two above about covering your costs. Whats the point in being a bridemaid for someone if you have to pay for everything yourself. Give what you can afford, but i would say also buy some kind of gift. I'm getting married in two week and the my OH's bridemaid gave 100 and a small orniment. Neither of us complained saying she didn't cover her costs.

loopyloulou

I was BM for one of my best friends last year, the dress was made by her neighbour so she only had to pay for the material, i paid for my own accommodation on the day. I was single at the time so there wasnt any contribution from anyone else and i gave her a 250euro holiday voucher. At the hen weekend i spent 600euro what with covering her cost, paying for myself and then contributing for all the party accessories and a present for her aswell so its an expensive process.

cpe

Should I cover all the costs of what was spent on me as a bridesmaid, is this expected?

hunnymonster

cpe, if you can afford it, then it would be nice to ease the brides overdraft, weddings can be an expensive time for a bride. If you can't afford it then don't worry about it at all. I'm sure she didn't pick you based on a bank statement, she picked you because she loves you and values your contribution to her big day. Making sure her make-up isn't smudged in the photos will mean a lot more to her than money.

Numbercruncher

No you don't have to cover costs, just give what you can afford. I wanted to pay towards my room as I would have paid to stay anyway & I could afford it. I don't think you need to go and add up what she spent and cover that. Especially considering you'll be wearing what she wants and not necessarily what you'd wear yourself!
Honeymonster is right, what you do for her on the day and the run up will mean a lot more than whats in the card on the day.
Make sure you're supportive, interested and help with then hen! Thats all anyone should expect of a bridesmaid.

loopyloulou

I agree with whats been said, the help you give her in the run up to the wedding and during the hen is priceless. I made sure i was on the dancefloor all night with her, got guests up to dance etc... The thank you card i got afterwards told me that everything i did was so appreciated

Petrolium Hat

It is about giving what you can afford alright, i didnt want to give any other impression than that. No one expects any amount cos it is their day and they didnt ask you to be there so they recoup the money off you and im sure whatever you give will be gratiously accepted.

My point is, if you were going to someones birthday party and you knew it was costing them hundreds and hundreds of euros for you to be there, and turn up in a pretty dress; Youd prob do your best to cover the costs. No one would get offended with any wedding gift in my expereince. Particularly cash, or even somethign like holiday vouchers. Dont ever buy anything "for the house" unless you explicitidly know 100 per cent theyll love it. People give out such crap when all most people want is cash.

BroomBurner

I'm not expecting anything from my BM at all. She bought her own shoes and bag to go with her BM dress, which was brilliant for me, saved me money.

If you still want to get her something, maybe ask her if she would like you to get her some wedding jewellery or something. If yous are close (assuming so, seeing as your her BM), then an actual physical gift will be more memorable than money, and often cheaper too.

cpe

The three bridesmaids are chipping in for something she asked for but it's pretty inexpensive. I guess I'll give what I can afford so. Thanks guys.

bensoneb

Your friend will value the help you give more than any pressie!!! Just be there for her and you'll contribute to one of the best days of her life. Her memories of what ye did together will last much longer than any present will.

I'm not saying that you don't have to give a present, what I'm saying is that it's not the most important thing!

implausible

I'd agree with the other posters cpe, whatever you can afford, if it can cover your costs it's a bonus!

Personally, I'm not expecting anything from my BM - her help cancels out the price of the dress, make-up etc.

This should put it in perspective - mate of mine is nearly bankrupt because she's bridesmaid for her future sis-in-law. So far she has paid for EVERYBODY'S meal at the hen (nobody blinked an eye...), made and paid for the wedding booklet, paid for hair and make-up trials and is planning on giving €2000 to the couple as a pressie. When I told her she was mad, she said she'd presumed that's what you did! I doubt she'll ever see the favour repaid.

cpe

That's madness, she's not far off stumping up for the honeymoon...I'm afraid she's definitely out-done me!