San Diego Weddings - http://www.sandiegoweddings.com/article
Registries & Bridal Party Gift Ideas
http://www.sandiegoweddings.com/article/articles/6/1/Registries--Bridal-Party-Gift-Ideas/Page1.html
By Site Editor
Published on 04/1/2008
 
Site Editor

 
Let's face it. Gifts are an exciting part of a wedding! And you get to choose something thoughful to give your bridal party that lets them know how much you appreciate them! Here are some gift ideas for them and some tips on how best to use bridal registries.
Registries & Bridal Party Gift Ideas

Let's face it. Gifts are an exciting part of a wedding! And you get to choose something thoughful to give your bridal party that lets them know how much you appreciate them! Here are some gift ideas for them and some tips on how best to use bridal registries.
Registry Tips
  • Be sure to select gifts in a variety of price ranges. You might really want that $5000 eight-piece setting, but not many people will want to get it for you. In the case of really expensive gifts, it might be better to "hint at" your parents or close relatives to see if they can work something out.

  • Be sure to register at least at one store that has a location near your guests. This is less of a problem with online registries, but does Aunt Millie have an iMac?

Alternatives

Perhaps you already have everything you could possibly need and want for yourself and your new place, or maybe you're just looking for something different.  If  the thought of a mile-high gift table at your wedding turns you off, here are a couple of fresh alternatives that may work for you!

A popular new trend happening is instead of receiving gifts, your guests contribute money toward your honeymoon! There are registries where your guests can give money for your plane tickets, hotel, bed and breakfast, spa...anything for your perfect honeymoon!  This is a really great idea if you are short on cash at the beginning of your new life together, or if you are moving and trying to keep the number of times you unload your friend's truck to a minimum!

Another great option for people who have a cause they care about (or just big hearts in general!) is to have your guest contribute to a charity instead of buying you gifts. The charity registries work just like gift registries that you can set up and are customizable to your wishes. One popular company for this option to check out is "I Do Foundation".

Bridal Party Gift Ideas

Wondering what to buy your maid of honor? your best man? bridesmaids? groomsmen? Don't want to buy the usual string of pearls or engraved beer mug? Well, here are some unique ideas for those closest to you. Let us know if you think of other fun ways to show you appreciate someone and we'll add them to the list!

Maid of Honor / Bridesmaids:

  • Zoo or Sea World tickets
  • Gift certificate for a make-over
  • Gift certificate for her favorite department store or gift store
  • Dinner certificate for two
  • Jewelry (gold bracelet, earrings, locket, etc.)
  • Movie ticket package with a dinner certificate and popcorn and candy coupons
  • Gift basket with soaps and bubbles from a store like The Body Shop or Crabtree & Evelyn
  • Entertainment Discount Book for San Diego County
  • Concert tickets
  • Personalized photo album of the whole event (you can even make it a fabric covered album you create yourself)
  • Tickets for the Coronado ferry, bike rental certificates, and a picnic basket/backpack
  • Nice bottle of champagne or wine
  • Limo ride with friends to the wine country in Temecula for a day of wine tastin
  • Tickets to Disneyland, Magic Mountain, or Knott's Berry Farm
  • Select a unique gift from the Amazon.com Gift Ideas page. They have a large selection of books, music, videos, and other Stuff. They even have electronic gift certificates if you can't decide.

Best Man/Groomsmen:

  • Tickets to sporting events (Padres, Chargers, Aztecs, etc.)
  • Concert tickets
  • Sports paraphanalia (jerseys, baseball cards, autographed footballs, etc.)
  • Zoo or Sea World tickets
  • Virtual World passes
  • Dinner certificate for two
  • Cruise around San Diego bay
  • Gift certificate for a hardware store or home centers like Home Base or Home Depot
  • Movie ticket package with a dinner certificate and popcorn and candy coupons
  • Entertainment Discount Book for San Diego County
  • Beer of the Month Club (where he receives a different six-pack each month--see places like Trader Joe's or Beverages 'N More about this)
  • Limo ride with friends to the wine country in Temecula for a day of wine tasting
  • Tickets to Disneyland, Magic Mountain, or Knott's Berry Farm
  • Pretty much anything from The Sharper Image, seriously.
  • Select a unique gift from the Amazon.com Gift Ideas page. They have a large selection of books, music, videos, and other Stuff. They even have electronic gift certificates if you can't decide.