Who to Buy for in the Wedding Party

There’s a lot of work goes into preparing and planning for a wedding and usually quite a few people help out.  Parents, family members, close friends may all get involved and may be playing an active part on the big day.  The wedding couple traditionally buy presents for certain members of the party to show their appreciation and to commemorate the day.  But who buys what for who?

Parents

Traditionally, the groom would buy something for his own mother and for the mother of the bride.  Often this may be a simple bunch of flowers given to each at the end of the speeches on the wedding day.  He would often buy a thank you gift for his father in law who had contributed the financing for the wedding.

In modern versions, there are plenty of different scenarios to cover.  The result is often a couple will choose a special gift for each of their parents or for both couples to remember the day.  One favourite idea for this is a personalised picture frame, to which a photo of the couple or the group can be added.  Having the date printed on along with a personal message is a great way to thank them for their efforts and love as well as to remember the day by in the future.

Best man and ushers

These are traditionally also the responsibility of the groom as they are ‘his’ helpers.  The best man usually receives a special present with cufflinks or a hip flask being traditional favourites.  Secondary presents are given to the ushers, usually of a lesser value.  Personalised cufflinks are a modern take, featuring the person’s name on one side and ‘best man’ or ‘usher’ on the other.

These presents are given out on a morning before the wedding party has begun.  Sometimes taking everyone out for a meal or a few drinks in the lead-up to the wedding is an alternative. 

Bridesmaids

The bridesmaid presents are traditionally the lot of the bride and the chief bridesmaid, like the best man, tends to have something a little special.  Jewellery is a popular choice and if this is the case, it is often given on the morning of the day to be worn.  Otherwise, presents are given out after the speeches on the day.

A popular alternative to jewellery is a customised glass celebrating the day and aimed at their favour drink.  So a champagne flute or wine glass for those who favour wine, a shot glass for those who like something small and even a tall glass for anyone who likes a tall drink or doesn’t like alcohol.

Other presents

If there are kids involved in the wedding party, then a keepsake present they can reflect on in later years is popular rather than something for their current age.  It is also traditional to give something to anyone else who had helped with the wedding and a commemorative gift is always a popular idea, particularly if it is someone you don’t know well and are unsure what to buy for them.