You’ve met the one, found your dream dress, and picked your perfect venue. It’s almost time for the biggest day of your life, but there’s still one more important step: finding a great group of bridesmaids!
While you can put whatever you’d like in your bridesmaid boxes, including some jewelry is always a great idea. Not only is it a gift your bridesmaid can wear again and again, it’s also a way to help bring everybody’s outfits together. You’ve picked the bridesmaid dresses, so why not add some accessories to complete the look?
In this blog, we’ll take a look at the tradition of bridesmaid boxes, discuss how to build the perfect box, and go over some ideas for beautiful and meaningful bridesmaid jewelry gifts.
Bridesmaid Gift Boxes FAQ
- What Are Bridesmaid Gift Boxes?
- When Did Bridesmaid Gift Boxes Get Popular?
- How Much Should You Spend on a Bridesmaid Box?
- Besides Jewelry, What Should You Put in a Bridesmaid Gift Box?
- When Should you give a Bridesmaid Gift Box?
Bridesmaid Gift Boxes Jewelry
What Are Bridesmaid Gift Boxes?
You’ve probably seen them on your Pinterest board or Instagram feed, and maybe you’ve even opened one up yourself. But those who aren’t yet in the know may be wondering, what exactly is a bridesmaid box?
Asking a friend or family member to be a bridesmaid has always been a heartfelt occasion. Recently, though, it’s become common for brides-to-be to ‘propose’ to their potential bridal party with gift boxes. It’s a sweet way to express how important this person is to you, and offer a token of appreciation for their role in your wedding party. At the very least, it’s certainly more fun than sending an email.
When Did Bridesmaid Gift Boxes Get Popular?
The bridesmaid gift box tradition is a fairly recent one. Those who work in the wedding industry have a few theories as to how it came about. First, groups of friends tend to be more scattered today than they were in the past. Between college, careers and family obligations, young people tend to move around quite a bit. When friends can’t ask the big question in person, a bridesmaid box ensures that they can at least make the moment special from afar.
Second, there has never been a better time for personalized gifts. Forty years ago, if you wanted to get embroidered socks for eight of your closest friends, it could take months. These days, you can simply hop on Etsy and find them in a heartbeat. When it’s this easy and affordable, why not spoil your friends?
Finally, the Internet likely has a big hand in the rise of the bridesmaid box trend. It’s hard to imagine a more photogenic sight than that of a carefully curated bridesmaid gift box. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it’s a way to proudly share the love you have for your sisters. And the more people post their gift boxes, the more steam the trend picks up. We don’t see it disappearing anytime soon.
How Much Should You Spend on a Bridesmaid Box?
You should spend whatever amount you are comfortable with. Don’t go overboard on your bridesmaid boxes only to deplete your savings for the wedding itself. Start by setting a realistic budget for yourself.
While budgeting, consider not only your wedding but any other events or gifts you’ll be sharing with your bridesmaids before the big day, such as the bachelorette party. If you’re planning to spend more on your girls in the future, then lowering the gift box budget might make sense. However, if you’re cutting costs elsewhere, it might be fun to go all-out on your bridesmaid boxes.
Don’t feel pressured by what you see others doing on social media. Choose what’s best for you and your besties. Keep in mind, however, that it's customary to spend the same amount on each bridesmaid to avoid any hurt feelings.
Besides Jewelry, What Should You Put in a Bridesmaid Gift Box?
It’s up to you! You know your future bridesmaid better than anyone, so consider their tastes and try to incorporate some of their favorite things. Some brides-to-be include candles, perfumes, hair accessories, makeup products and sweet treats, whether edible or drinkable. And of course, it’s always nice to include a personal note inviting them to play a role in your big day.
Bridesmaid Gift Box Jewelry
When it comes to picking your bridesmaid jewelry, keep a few things in mind. You probably want your besties to get more than one use out of their new jewelry, so those bold statement pendants that will match their wedding attire but not the rest of their wardrobe may not be the way to go. Pick versatile pieces they can love for a lifetime.
At the same time, don’t be afraid to get a little sentimental. Though you and your future spouse are the stars of the show, a wedding also celebrates the shared love of all your friends and family. Jewelry that gives a nod to special shared memories or traditions between you and your girls will mean a lot to them.
Finally, be creative! While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with going for initial necklaces, there are plenty of other ways to personalize your bridesmaid jewelry. In this next section, we’ll look at a few of your many, many options.
Bridesmaid Necklaces
As we just mentioned, you can totally go the classic route here and offer initial necklaces to each of your future bridesmaids. Sure, you may not be revolutionizing the bridesmaid box, but there’s a reason these necklaces are so widely used and well-loved. Dainty, versatile and personal, anyone will appreciate a sweet pendant with their initial front and center.
A pendant that symbolizes a special place in your lives can be just as meaningful as a nod to your names. If your wedding is happening on a beach, try a palm tree necklace. If you and your girls all love horses, a horseshoe pendant may just be the perfect fit. If you all met at college in Minnesota, look for a state-shaped necklace like this one!
You can always take a step back from the ultra-personal and opt for a more general symbol of connection. Give a knot-shaped pendant or a pendant with two linked circles to represent your special bond. Or, choose classics like a bar necklace or pearl pendant. These timeless pieces go with everything, so your bridesmaids will get years of wear out of them.
Bridesmaid Earrings
No bridal party outfit is complete without a pair of elegant earrings to tie everything together, and this is the perfect opportunity to glam up your girls before the big day. When deciding on bridesmaid earrings for your gift box, keep the bridesmaid dresses in mind. If your party will all be wearing neutrals, it might be fun to spice things up with colorful earrings. On the other hand, if the dresses are bold and bright, you may want to stick with subtler jewelry.
You can also choose whether you want to give each girl the same pair of earrings, or switch things up a bit based on their individual birthstones, styles or favorite colors. Gemstone stud earrings come in a range of price points, so you can spoil your bridal party without breaking the bank.
If you’d like to keep it sweet and simple, you really can’t go wrong with pearl earrings. Whether you choose pearl drop earrings or pearl stud earrings, they’re the definition of classic elegance. Plus, they’re one of the most affordable gems on the market.
Bridesmaid Bracelets
Bridesmaid bracelets are like friendship bracelets, but elevated. We may swap the plastic beads for precious metals, but the meaning behind these bracelets stays the same–they’re a way of telling someone how much they matter to you.
Not only are chain link bracelets super trendy these days, they also maintain the simplicity of the traditional friendship bracelet. Versatile and dainty, they’re a perfect gift for any bridesmaid, but especially cute for those longtime friends who once wore braided bracelets with you. They’re also a great choice if a bridesmaid’s outfit is going to contain a statement piece of some kind. Chain link bracelets will complement her look without drawing attention away from the main attraction.
Another nostalgic piece that’s back in fashion is the charm bracelet. This is a great choice if you’d like to customize your bridesmaids’ gifts. You can choose charms that reflect their personality, your relationship, or anything else you’d like to express.
Ken K. Thompson Jewelry is Here to Help You Fill Your Bridesmaid Gift Boxes!
No woman is complete without her circle of friends, and no wedding is complete without the bridesmaids. A bridesmaid gift box is a beautiful way to show your love and appreciation for the women in your life, and thank them for being a part of your special day.
If you want to include bridesmaid jewelry in your bridesmaid gift box, it’s time to visit your local jeweler. Here at Ken K. Thompson Jewelry in Bemidji, Minnesota, we live to help you find the perfect pieces for every occasion. Or, check out our full collection of jewelry online. We’ll do whatever we can to make sure you find jewelry your bridesmaids will treasure forever.