Picking the right gift for your bridesmaids can be overwhelming. There are so many options to choose from. And everyone has their definition of what is practical and useful. After my wedding, I was able to confirm what is worth putting into a bridesmaid gift bag and what is not.

Wedding day bridesmaid gift essentials

Gift bag vs Tote: I debated whether to do paper gift bags because my wedding was in a destination location and it would have been easier to travel with. However, I wanted the girls to use everything in their bag starting with the tote which makes for the perfect beach tote.

This is the option I went for. Very affordable as well if you're on a tight budget.

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Here are other options that would make great gift bags for your bridesmaids.

2. Robes/Pajamas for The Morning of : For the morning of, it’s tradition to gift your bridal party robes or pajamas. I don’t think there is any specific rule when it comes to this. However. I decided to pick a color that would match my wedding color scheme. I also was careful not to get anything with the word “bridesmaids” on it to ensure the girls are able to use them again, instead I personalized the robes with their name for a special touch.

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3. Toiletry: Again, thinking about what could be the most useful the day of and after the wedding, I decided to also include makeup bags that I personalized for a special touch. I bought the letters from Amazon and hot-glued them onto the makeup bag myself.

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4. Slippers: To go with the robes/pajamas, I also included a pair of slippers. This is not necessary but helps the girls look more put-together for the getting-ready photos. And it’s something they can definitely use after the wedding.

5. Accessories: I would say this part was the most difficult for me to decide on just because there are SO MANY OPTIONS. I narrowed it down to 2 things. Hair ties and a ring.

For the bridesmaid proposal, I gifted my girls bracelet. I found these rigns that would go perfectly with their bracelet.

6. Hangers: Finally, I found these hangers in my local Tjmaxx which was such a score! They came in a pack of 2 with the word Bridesmaid on it. However, if you can’t find these I recommend you personalized hangers for your girls!