Thank you baskets for your wedding party

It is customary to give gifts to the members in your wedding party as a thank you for all the time, effort, and money they put into being a part of your wedding party and supporting you and your future spouse on your wedding day. 

One of the things that I think make a wonderful gift are thank you baskets, filled with things they can use to prepare for the big day (and use after!), and some other personalized gifts for each individual member of your party. What is great about these baskets is that they can be adjusted for both groomsmen and bridesmaids (with different items, of course). And even better, you can make them for $25-$50 per person. 

Sometime in spring 2023, Target offered these adorable, small, coiled rope baskets. They still have two options available (multiple colors, plain and striped), but any basket like those would work well. 

For the girls 💁‍♀️

For bridesmaids, typically we go for a lighter color basket. In it, you can put face mask sheets, scrunchies, travel wine tumblers, a piccolo bottle of wine, a framed picture of you and your bridesmaid, a personalized travel pouch - the possibilities are endless. Consider giving them their baskets before the wedding, and include wedding info cards with the date, location(s), color scheme, other members of the bridal party, and what type of dress to buy.

If you want them to be able to use things post-wedding, avoid anything that says "bridesmaid" or "maid of honor" (for example, get a regular robe instead of a "bridesmaid" marked robe - unless you want those for a photo op). If you want to give them something as a keepsake, consider a personalized travel pouch or travel jewelry case with their name, the date of your wedding and you and your future spouse's initials.

What is nice about these thank you baskets is that you can put as little or as much as you want, fits a multitude of budgets, and makes those in your wedding party feel appreciated. 

For the boys 💁‍♂️

For groomsmen, we typically go for a darker color basket (read: "for men, now in a darker color"). I found that hygiene items, such as a nail clipper set, aftershave balm, or some nice shave soap (or mustache/beard grooming supplies, if they aren't the clean shaven type). You can also include a flask, an airplane-mini bottle of booze, a dopp kit (toiletry bag). 

As with the bridesmaids, you could give this thank you basket to groomsmen prior to the wedding, and include a details card with general info, where to buy or rent a suit (especially if you have access to coupon codes or know when a sale will be going on), and a draft of a timeline.