What to do with the Party?

[mengarelli09:)]

I want to give my Party one of the following two things but my budget is getting stretched......big time and IO do not want to bust....


I would like to do Hair and Makeup but the person that is going to do mine is going to be $120 each (I have 4 bridesmaids) or get their hair done by my person and let them do their own makeup.........or just put $75 towards their dresses.


For the Groomsman...WE are putting $50 dollars towards the suit rental.


This would be my gift to them. These people are very good friends of mine and I want them to know I really appreciate them being a part of my big day.... any help would be nice....

[KelciAlexandra]

most people now a days know that when they're asked to participate in a wedding that means that they're going to have to foot the bill for their own attire unless the couple can afford to buy it for them or help out with the bill. I think it's nice what you want to do for them but maybe you can do something else that will be more heart felt and more cost effective. For example, to help keep our budget down for our wedding we're considering making pumpkin bread and giving something individually sentimental (but still non expensive, like a necklace, pocket knife, etc) to each person in our bridal party and to our families. If you're set on helping them with their attire go for it, but I think they would understand if you couldn't.

[Trinia]

I agree with Kelci, because your budget is stretched I would maybe buy their jewelery and the gm flasks or something...

[Winter_Bride]

Honestly, I've been in a few weddings, and I never know what to do with the gifts after. Some have been jewellery, some have been other tokens of friendship. I think I would rather have my hair paid for (makeup they can do themselves), but that's just me.

I agree with the others that it's assumed by most when you are part of a wedding party, that they have to foot the bill for the attire. Help is appriciated, but definately not expected!!

If you're looking for other ideas, something else you could do as a gift is host a party for them or something (looking at less expensive) - take the girls to the spa for pedicures (which I assume you can do for cheaper than $75/person), have a slumber party, etc. :shrug2: For the groomsmen, your DH could take them golfing or something.

[lalalola]

I personally paid for the hair and the make up because it was something I wanted to do for my bridal party. I know my girls did not expect it, but it was something I wanted to do for them.

I really like the idea of a spa day.

Are you giving them a gift?

[*Ashley*]

I did hair and make up and nails and toes, but I went a little overboard, LOL.

For the gifts, I bought these GREAT makeup bags off eBay. They were made out of dupioni silk and were in my wedding colors and I had their first initial embroidered on them. I think they were about $20? Then I filled them with a few things they might need on the day off -- bandaids, safety pins, a shout wipe. Anyhow, I also bought their earrings that they were to wear that day which were I believe $14 a pair at Francesca's (you're in Houston, right?) and FABULOUS if I do say so myself :)

It's a different route to go but I know they loved the make up bags -- that kind of thing is more personal and you can give a great gift without breaking the bank. If you're wanting to spend $75, that and then maybe you and the girls can all go for manicures the day before the wedding? They're typically what, $15 - $20? You've go the bag for $20, earrings for say, $15, another $15 for goodies to put in it then $25 for manicures :) $75.

Good luck!

here is her eBay store: http://stores.ebay.com/Plethora1014_W0QQ_trksid=p1638.m118.l1247

She was FABULOUS. In the left hand column, 5th one down is the one I got. She'll send you samples of her colors before she makes them so you're certain of the colors you want for the baggs. I honestly can't say enough nice things. They're lined with waterproof stuff -- just fabulous.

[~*Kate*~]

I was in a wedding where the bride had tote bags embroidered with our monograms, and put flip flops for the reception in them. The bags were super cute and I used it for years. She did black and white, which was nice b/c I could use it with anything, but using the wedding colors (like Ashley) is cute too.

[*Ashley*]

Ooo we did flip flops too! I forgot about that! My mom had bought some dupioni silk and I bought cheap pink flip flops at Old Navy and then we wrapped the thong part in the fabric so it wouldn't rub and hurt :) They turned out really cute and were an inexpensive nice touch for the reception :)

[Sk8ermaiden]

I say do the cheaper option, if at all. You are paying for this wedding yourselves, and everyone knows that. Given the options you said, I would say put $50 to the tuxes and the dresses. Count that as the gift - there is no reason to blow money on bags or flasks or the like. No one will even notice their absence.

I personally will be more than happy to pay for my makeup and hair. :kimgrill:

[*heather*]

I used to be a hairdresser, and let me tell you one thing before you decide: doing 5 people's hair on wedding day is very taxing. Consult with your hairdresser to see if she is even willing to do that.

And now, if I may give my opinion, I think your ideas are *very* generous! But I also think, like the other ladies have mentioned, that people go into a wedding expecting certain expenses. I, personally, would appreciate even the smallest trinket that I could look at in 15 years and say "Oh, this is the lovely xyz that Mengarelli09 gave me on her wedding day." They wouldn't be able to do that if you just help to cover their costs. Your bonus? You can get off without going bust. Even if you gave them all $50 spa certificates you'd get off much easier, and they would be able to use it whenever they felt like being pampered. :kimgrill:

Ditto for the groomsmen.:eyelashes:

Is Sk8ermaiden one of your bridesmaids? I'm a big fan of hers. :)

[km]

I think a gift of some sort would be lovely, they're certainly nice things suggested here. Most would rather do their own hair and make-up I would think...

:wavey: