Bridesmaid gift ideas under £20

By Wedding Offshore Team

A bridesmaid gift is a way to say thank you, and it does not need a large budget to feel generous. Keeping to a small, fixed amount for each person leaves room for something chosen with care, particularly if you pick one good item and add a handwritten note. This guide covers gift ideas that work within a small budget, how to make a gift feel personal, how to buy for a group and what to check before you order.

Decide what the gift is for

Think about when you will give it and what you want it to do, because that changes the choice.

• A getting-ready gift to be used on the morning of the wedding.
• A keepsake to remember the day.
• Something to wear in the photographs.
• A thank you given after the wedding.

If you have already given a proposal box, which our guide to bridesmaid proposal box ideas covers, the wedding gift can be a different kind of thing, so nobody receives the same present twice.

Gift ideas under £20

Each idea below can be matched to the person and can be bought in a set.

• A personalised item. A mug, a tote bag, a makeup bag or a keyring with their name or initials. A name makes a simple item feel chosen.
• A robe or a pair of slippers. Useful on the morning of the wedding and kept afterwards. Check sizes before you order.
• A hair accessory. A comb, a clip or a set of pins to wear on the day.
• A piece of jewellery. A simple necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings that goes with the dress.
• A candle or a small treat. A scented candle, a tea set or a box of sweets, depending on tastes and allergies.
• A framed photograph. A picture of the two of you, in a plain frame.
• A notebook and pen. Easy to personalise with a short message inside.
• A handwritten letter. Costs almost nothing and is often the part people keep.

Our bridesmaid gifts are sorted here from the lowest price to the highest, so you can start at the bottom of the range and check each price before you choose. Our bridal accessories are another place to look for items that suit a set.

Make a gift feel personal

A modest gift feels more thoughtful when it shows you know the person.

1. Think about what each person uses every day, and choose something that fits.
2. Write a short, specific note, such as a memory you share.
3. Use their name or initials where you can.
4. Choose a colour that suits them, as well as your wedding palette.
5. Wrap each gift in the same way, with a small touch that is different for each.

Even if every bridesmaid receives the same item, a short note for each makes it personal.

Buying for a group

Buying several gifts at once can save time and money, but it needs planning.

• Decide on one main item and a small extra, rather than lots of different things.
• Check that sizes can be matched, or choose something one size.
• Ask the supplier about ordering several of the same item, and whether personalisation is available for each.
• Count your bridesmaids and allow a spare in case of a mistake.
• Keep a list of who gets what, so you remember anything you have promised.

If a bridesmaid cannot attend an event, post their gift with a note. Ask the supplier how to pack it.

Keep the total in check

Keeping each gift within your limit is easier if you plan the whole amount.

• Multiply your budget by the number of bridesmaids, and add the cost of wrapping and delivery.
• Spend a little less on the wrapping and a little more on the item.
• Reuse materials, such as ribbon or boxes, you already have.
• Look at the full cost before you order, including delivery and any personalisation.
• Keep a small amount back for last-minute extras.

Our guide to planning a wedding on a budget in the UK explains how to fit gifts into the rest of your spending.

What to check before you order

• Delivery time. Ask the supplier how long it takes, especially for personalised items.
• Spelling. Check every name and initial before you confirm.
• Sizes and materials. Check sizes for clothing, and ask about materials if someone has an allergy.
• Returns. Ask what happens if an item arrives damaged or the wrong size.
• Timing. Plan when you will give each gift, and order with time to spare.

Next steps

Write down your bridesmaids, set the amount you are happy with for each, and pick one item to buy for all of them. Add a handwritten note for each person, and check the delivery time before you order.

Asked and answered

When should I give the gifts?

It depends on the gift. A getting-ready gift suits the morning of the wedding, while a keepsake can be given at the rehearsal or after the day. Choose a moment that is calm.

Do bridesmaids all need the same gift?

Not necessarily, but it avoids any sense of unfairness. You can keep the item the same and personalise the note or the colour.

Should I give a gift if I have already given a proposal box?

It is up to you. Many people give both, but a small, thoughtful gift on the day is enough. Choose something different from the box.

What if a bridesmaid is a different size?

Choose something that does not depend on a size, such as a candle or a hair accessory. If you buy clothing, ask each person for their size in advance, or check the supplier's size guide.