Hunting for gift ideas for an upcoming bride-to-be? Whether it’s for a bridal shower, bachelorette party or simply a sweet gesture, a thoughtful gift is a great way to show the bride just how much you love her.
So, what’s the perfect gift for an upcoming bride? In our opinion, the ideal bridal gift should be something meaningful and practical (that will actually get used!). From heirloom vow books to wedding day fragrances, we’ve rounded up 18 of our favorite bride-to-be gift ideas below.
Sentimental Gift Ideas for the Bride-To-Be
Nothing beats a sentimental gift from the heart! Check out these meaningful gift ideas for the bride-to-be.
Wedding Day Fragrance
Spoil the bride-to-be with a luxury fragrance that she can wear on her wedding day! We’d suggest opting for something soft, timeless and classic, like Jo Malone’s range of signature wedding scents.
Set of Vow Books
A beautiful set of vow books is a sentimental gift that can also double as a family heirloom. The bride will be able to record her vows, use it during her ceremony, then treasure it as a keepsake for years to come! Choose a high-quality vow book that will last the test of time, like The Beloved Collection from The Art of Etiquette.
A Personalized Photo Album
Honor your relationship with the bride-to-be by creating a personalized photo album filled with your favorite memories using a photobook service like Mixbook! Alternatively, you could gift her a voucher to create a wedding photo album after the big day.
Engagement Art
Surprise the bride with a custom artwork that commemorates where she got engaged, or where she first met her spouse! You could even commission an illustration or portrait of the happy couple. You’ll find plenty of affordable options via design platforms like Etsy.
Personalized Jewelry
A sentimental piece of jewelry like a locket or charm bracelet is a wonderful bride-to-be gift. For a personal touch, have it engraved with her wedding date, initials or a special message from the heart.
Useful Gift Ideas for the Bride-To-Be
Wedding planning can be hard work. Help the bride-to-be stay organized and on track with these useful gift ideas!
Wedding Planners & Journals
A comprehensive wedding planner or journal is a great engagement gift idea for the bride-to-be. These planners are filled with helpful worksheets, checklists and budget trackers to streamline the wedding planning process from start to finish. Our pick? The Budget Savvy Wedding Planner and Organizer.
Bridal Subscription Box
If you’re looking for a gift that keeps on giving, consider gifting a bridal subscription box like the Miss to Mrs Box or Maeven Bridal Box. These curated packages typically arrive monthly and are filled with wedding planning goodies – think themed apparel, planning tools and party supplies!
Beauty Vouchers
Treat the bride-to-be with a spa, massage or beauty voucher for some much-needed pampering. Wedding planning can be exhausting, so some pre-wedding self care will definitely be appreciated!
Wedding Day Emergency Kit
Looking for a DIY gift idea? Why not create a “wedding day emergency kit” for the bride-to-be! Simply fill a box or bag with a range of essential supplies for the big day – think bandaids, sewing kits, deodorant, hairspray, lip balm and stain remover.
Bridal Robe and Slippers
Gift the bride-to-be with a luxurious robe and/or a pair of slippers she can enjoy while getting ready on her wedding morning. Opt for something high-quality she can keep forever!
Jewelry Dish
Give the bride-to-be somewhere beautiful to display her wedding day bling with a jewelry dish or ring box. You can even have this monogrammed with the date of her wedding for a personal touch.
Weekender Bag
A good-sized weekender bag is a practical gift that will definitely come in handy for the bride-to-be. Choose something versatile that can be used for her bachelorette weekend, honeymoon and future vacations.
Cash Gifts
Let’s be honest, cash is probably the most useful gift of all! Apps like Birdie make it easy to send digital cash gifts to the bride (complete with custom designs and illustrations), delivered straight to her phone.
WedSites Subscription
Help the bride save time and stress by signing her up to a digital subscription with WedSites! She’ll be able to take advantage of our wedding website builder and suite of digital planning tools including a budget calculator, online RSVPs and seating chart creator.
Fun Gift Ideas for the Bride-To-Be
Finally, check out some of our favorite “just for fun” gift ideas for the bride – guaranteed to put a smile on her face!
Personalized Candle
A personalized candle with a custom message is a great gift idea for bachelorette parties and bridal showers. We’re obsessed with this “Bout Time” strawberries and champagne candle by Bossy Pants.
Lingerie
If you know the bride well, why not gift her with a bridal lingerie set? Whether her vibe is classic and traditional or modern and fun, some bridal-inspired lingerie will be the perfect addition to her honeymoon wardrobe.
Custom Jacket
Is the bride planning her wedding during the cooler months? Consider gifting her with a personalized bridal jacket that she can rock during her wedding reception, like a denim jacket embellished with her new surname.
Engraved Champagne Flutes
A beautiful set of champagne flutes will make the bride-to-be (and her spouse!) feel extra special at their wedding reception. Again, consider engraving these with the wedding details to create a keepsake the couple can cherish forever.
Bride-To-Be Gift Etiquette and FAQs
We know that gifting can be a tricky area to navigate. Check out our etiquette guide for bride-to-be gifts below!
Do You Need to Give a Gift to the Bride?
Gifts should never be expected, and it’s certainly not a requirement to give a gift to the bride. However, if you have a close relationship with the bride-to-be, giving a thoughtful gift is definitely a nice way to celebrate this milestone occasion with her!
At certain events (particularly bridal showers), it’s more common to provide a gift for the bride. In these situations, the bride will generally create a gift registry with some suggestions.
When Should You Give a Gift to the Bride?
If you’d like to give a gift to the bride-to-be, there are multiple opportunities to do so leading up to her wedding. These include:
- Her engagement party
- Her bridal shower
- Her bachelorette party
- Her wedding day
Of course, you don’t need to splurge on a high-end gift for all of these occasions! A bottle of wine with a handwritten card is a great idea for an engagement party gift, while something more luxurious like a wedding day fragrance or lingerie set would be ideal for a bridal shower gift.
How Much Should You Spend on a Wedding Gift for the Bride?
There are no set rules around how much you should spend on a wedding gift for the bride. It really depends on your personal situation and what you feel comfortable with. With this being said, the average price of a wedding gift ranges anywhere from $50 to $150 upwards.
If a gift registry has been created, there will typically be a range of ideas at different price points, so you can choose a gift that suits your budget.
Check out our ultimate guide to planning the perfect bridal shower here!
Do Bridesmaids Need to Give a Wedding Gift to the Bride?
As a bridesmaid, you may already be footing the bill for your dress, hair and makeup – not to mention contributing to pre-wedding events like the bridal shower or bachelorette party. Even so, traditional wedding etiquette dictates that bridesmaids should still give a wedding gift to the bride.
Remember, if you’re feeling financially stretched, your gift doesn’t have to break the budget. Consider contributing towards a group “bridesmaid” gift, or creating something personal (and affordable) like a scrapbook or photo album.
Check out our guide on who pays for what in the bridal party here.
Wedding Guest Etiquette
Want to be the best wedding guest ever? Check out our ultimate guide to wedding guest etiquette!
