26 � SOUTH � FEBRUARY ’ 23
Gifts for bridesmaids Showing appreciation metrocreative
Brides- and grooms-to-be select people who are near and dear to their hearts to be special parts of their momentous days . So the chance to participate in a friend ’ s or family member ’ s wedding is a great honor .
A wedding party plays a key role in both the ceremony and reception . Participants do everything from helping couples make decisions to addressing invitations to providing emotional support . As so much is asked of the wedding party — particularly the maid / matron of honor and bridesmaids — it ’ s customary to bestow gifts on those people who devoted so much time and effort to the wedding .
These potential bridesmaid gifts can serve as a thoughtful and unique to way to thank bridesmaids for all that they ’ ve done .
Photos by Jenny Harnish , www . greenbrierimages . com
Bride Abby poses for photos with her bridesmaids before the ceremony on her family ’ s property in Greenbrier County .
Photo books : Gift the bridesmaids with photo books of carefully curated photographs taken throughout the wedding planning experience . Pepper the books with other photos , such as images of you with the bridesmaids at fun moments throughout your lives together .
Portrait wine or champagne glasses : Beverage glasses customized with the bridesmaids ’ likenesses painted or printed onto them make for great gifts . Bridesmaids will enjoy sipping their favorite drinks in special glasses for years to come .
Personalized phone cases : Who doesn ’ t rely on their mobile phones these days ? Treat your bridesmaids to something special with colorful phone cases with their names embossed or printed on the outsides .
Wellness or spa gift card : After all of the running around for the wedding , bridesmaids may need a little extra pampering . Gift cards to a local spa can fit the bill .
Birthstone jewelry : Necklaces , rings or earrings become that much more special when they ’ re customized to the recipients . Purchase jewelry with your bridesmaids ’ birthstones so they ’ ll be as unique as each woman .
Friendship bracelets : Gift each bridesmaid with beaded friendship bracelets that features all of the ladies ’ initials . Be sure to keep one for yourself , and you all can enjoy nights on the town showcasing your special bracelets .
Monogrammed robes or purses : A customized pocketbook , robe or another item bridesmaids will use every day can make for an extra-special item that will serve as a daily reminder of how much you appreciate them .
Bridesmaid gifts are a great way for brides to thank their bridesmaids for all that they ’ ve done to make a couple ’ s wedding day special . metrocreative
Getting engaged is an exciting moment in the lives of a couple .
One might think that excitement would lead to couples hurrying their way down the aisle to tie the knot , but studies have shown that couples spend a significant amount of time between getting engaged and saying , “ I do .”
According to The Knot
The journey from “ Yes ” to “ I do ”
The bride ’ s wedding and engagement rings displayed .
2021 Real Weddings Study , the average engagement length among couples in the United States is 16 months .
Though those figures are likely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic , which undoubtedly contributed to longer engagements as couples waited to get married until large gatherings were deemed safe , it ’ s worth noting that lengthy engagements are not specifically a Covid-related phenomenon .
In fact , The Knot reports that the average length of engagement in 2019 was 14 months .
Taking more time to get to know one another also seems to be a popular approach among modern couples , as The Knot Jewelry and Engagement Study found that three-quarters of all couples who wed in 2021 had dated for two or more years prior to getting engaged .