Unique and Affordable Wedding Party Gifts

Wedding party gifts are a great way for the bride and groom to show their appreciation for family and friends who are a part of the ceremony. Depending on the size of your wedding, this may include the best man, maid of honor, several bridesmaids, the flower girl, ring bearer, groomsmen, and ushers. Some couples may even choose to purchase gifts for each other as well as both sets of parents. Although you don't want to exclude anyone, purchasing numerous gifts on an already stretched budget can be a real challenge.

Choose Affordable Wedding Party Gifts That Last

The trick to success is to select gifts that are both useful and long lasting. Instead of focusing on your own personal tastes or interests, try to choose a gift that has special meaning for each member of your wedding party. Granted this may take some thought, but the end result will be well worth the effort.

While jewelry is a popular gift for women of the wedding party, try to personalize your selection a little. Earrings are nice but an engraved necklace or bracelet is a keepsake that will be treasured for years.

Don't feel you have to buy the traditional cufflinks for the men in your wedding party. Try to choose a gift they will actually use or enjoy receiving. Today there are a number of different sports oriented wedding gifts to choose from. A sports watch, beer stein, or mug is the perfect way to show appreciation for that special guy.

Great Wedding Party Gifts for Children

Children are often overlooked when it comes to buying wedding party gifts. While it may be tempting to treat the kids in your wedding with a simple box of candy or stuffed animal, there are many other affordable gift ideas they'll treasure for years.

For the little girl in your wedding party, a flower girl photo album is a must. This allows her to make notes of all the events that took place during her special day. You can even purchase a book that includes all the responsibilities involved in being a flower girl.

Depending upon his age, there are a number of neat gift ideas for the ring bearer of your wedding party. Young boys will love a toy car or train with an engraved message from the wedding couple. An engraved baseball bat is another unique gift idea for older children.

When Is the Best Time to Give Wedding Party Gifts?
It's customary to present wedding party gifts at the rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal dinner is a more relaxed intimate time where the bride and groom can personally thank each member of the wedding party for their contribution. Sure, you could wait and present their gifts after the wedding when all guests are in attendance, but during this time the focus tends to be more towards the bride and groom. By exchanging gifts in advance, you can be sure your wedding party receives the recognition they deserve.

Shop Ahead for Wedding Party Gifts
Nothing is more stressful than waiting until the last minute to buy your wedding gifts and favors. With all the anxiety involved in planning a wedding, the last thing you need is to spend your final days frantically shopping for just the right gift. Instead you should plan on purchasing your wedding party gifts several months in advance. This is especially true if you plan on having any items engraved. Most companies require at least a months notice to prepare personalized items. By planning ahead, you can receive your gifts well in advance of your wedding day.