Bridal Shower Gift Etiquette

lolob45 · April 2013

I am a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding. The dress cost $300 (paid before I was KU so I'm sure i'll be spending lots on altering to make sure it fits - wedding is in June and i'll be just at my 3rd trimester). Bachelorette party is estimated at $350 and i'm also helping with one of two bridal showers where i've committed to spend $200.

I wasn't aware that there would be a second shower thrown by the groom's mother and I just got the invite (it's in 2 weeks). The MOH is also going to this one and she told me she bought a gift ... so now I assume I'm bringing a gift to both showers plus the wedding. I really don't want to spend too much $ as i've already committed a lot and our expenses with remodeling the baby's nursery plus redoing flooring is getting pretty high. Is $50 enough to spend or as a bridesmaid should I be spending more?

... So happy this will be the last of 3 weddings i've been in since October. Spent over $2k for the one I was MOH for and probably half that for the other. Absolutely Crazy.

tmccord21 · April 2013

I say get something small for the shower that you are a guest at and not hosting. the bride will appreciate all that you've done and realize you've done a ton already. Just a small gift (no more than $50).

Ajoyd · April 2013

If I were you I would not feel obligated to bring a gift to the second shower and I sincerely doubt the bride would expect you to. I'm sure she invited you because she wants her groom's family to meet her bridal party.

If you do get something, it

Amjoy25 · April 2013

You are really only "required" to buy one gift. If you bring a gift to the bridal shower, you are not expected to buy one for the wedding because you already did. There's a wedding etiquette book that you can purchase or peruse in the book store. Even if

ajjf1026 · April 2013

I would consider the bride very lucky to have such great friends willing to spend that amount of money on her. I had 8 bridesmaids and 2 of them got me shower gifts and NONE of them got me a wedding gift. Mind you, they paid 25 for my bachelorette party a

coronitaextra · April 2013

I think it's gauche to host two showers in the same area where you will invite the same people, however, I think it's also nice to get her just a token, I think 50 might even be too much. Or you could get her something small at the shower you are hosting

Jalee85 · April 2013

Wow, that's a lot of money! I had bridesmaids that spent only 25 on my wedding shower but I could care less! I was just glad they were there! I wouldn't worry about getting a second gift but if you do spending 50 or less seems perfectly fine to me!

slh6363 · April 2013

Amjoy25:
You are really only "required" to buy one gift. If you bring a gift to the bridal shower, you are not expected to buy

norbert5 · April 2013

Not that this is your situation but I had a bridesmaid that was on a really tight budget but her gifts were great. One was a DVD with popcorn, soda, and candy. The other was a baking sheet with chocolate chips and a wooden spoon. Our wedding gift was two

JMU_Bride09 · April 2013

I had two bridal showers and invited all of my bridesmaids to both. I didn't expect any of them to buy more than one gift, and I think I may have even told them so as well. I don't know your bride friend, so no judgement whatsoever, but it sou

allymp13 · April 2013

Check out etsy.com for something more personal and handmade that won't break the bank. I just got my friend a wooden sign that says "The Smith Family est 2013". It was $45 with shipping, but I'm sure you could find one for less on there.&nb

kimbo1216 · April 2013

It use to be customary to only being one gift. So if you went to a shower and brought a gift, one was not expected at the wedding. Over the years, the cistom seems to have changed to a gift for every invite.

My rec is to split it up. So mayb

reneeandbill · April 2013

I went super easy on my bridesmaids apparently. Their dresses cost $15. They all did a small gift for my shower and a gift at the wedding. I would estimate that none of them spent over $100 total.

In your situation, I would probably do 2 small sh

morethancottoncandy · April 2013

FWIW, you really should have only been invited to one of the showers. Since showers are gift giving events, guest lists should not overlap (except for maybe mothers/MILs or sisters). You shouldn't have to purchase two shower gifts. I'd g