Your complete guide to gift-giving on your wedding day.

Before I got married, I had no idea how much work goes into planning a wedding. My to-do list was long, but the people I enlisted to help had just as much to handle — if not more! It takes a village, and that village deserves a little appreciation.

As a bride, you may be wondering who you should plan on giving a gift to on your wedding day. Do you give gifts to your bridal party? What about your other wedding attendants? Which family members should get a gift? Should vendors be included?

In this article, we’ll answer all these questions and provide you with plenty of great gift ideas for everyone on your list so you can navigate the process without any stress and focus on ensuring your helping hands get proper recognition. We’ve also included some general gifting tips so you don’t run into any surprises!

Your Spouse

This might be obvious, but just in case it’s not: If you’re giving anyone a gift on your wedding day, make sure it’s the person you’re marrying! The point of the gift exchange is to acknowledge this transition in your life — it’s not so much about the price of the item as the intention behind it. It’s an opportunity to share a moment of recognition before you step into a new chapter together.

Need some ideas? Here are 15 bride and groom gift exchange options to inspire you.

Your Maid of Honor

Your maid of honor has stood beside you since before you even imagined your spouse; she’s seen your love story unfold in real-time and has spent countless hours making sure your wedding day (and all the events leading up to it) is perfect. Give the number one lady in your life a huge thanks with a handwritten note and a sweet gift — a bottle of Champagne never hurts!

The Rest of Your Bridal Party

Your bridal party knows they’re special to you — they’re standing next to you on one of the most important days of your life, after all! Showing love to your bridesmaids doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant to make an impact. You could show up to your bridal suite with getting-ready outfits for your crew and get a gift for each individual in your party. Our guide to finding the perfect bridesmaid gifts has ideas for every type of bridesmaid, from the girls who love a night out to the friends who appreciate a sentimental gift.

P.S. Make sure your groom has his side covered with our handy guide to groomsmen’s gifts!

Children With a Role in the Wedding

Flower girls and ring bearers are always an adorable addition to any wedding procession — but they don’t always do what you need them to. There’s nothing wrong with a little bribery in the form of an irresistible thank-you gift before the wedding. Fill a gift bag with their favorite candy (with their parent’s approval, of course) and a handful of individually wrapped small toys (think the $1 section at Target), and you’re good to go!

Your Parents

Traditionally, the bride’s parents pay for the wedding, making it an obvious occasion for a thank-you gift. However, even if your parents aren’t footing the bill on your big day, they have supported you in reaching this chapter in your life. Your wedding day gift to your parents should include a thoughtful, handwritten card that lets them know exactly how much they mean to you and reassures them that they’ll always be your first family. From there, your gift could be as simple as a framed photo of the three of you or as extravagant as a spa treatment.

Our blog on ways to honor your mom at your wedding includes some great ideas for mother-of-the-bride gifts.

Your Future In-Laws

Getting married means becoming part of a whole new family — and becoming a daughter-in-law to your spouse’s parents. Your wedding day is a perfect one to solidify your bond with your soon-to-be in-laws and show them just how much you care about their son or daughter. Just like your parents, their gift should include a note of gratitude. Pair it with a nice bottle of wine or a gift card to their favorite fancy restaurant!

Explore other beautiful ways to honor your in-laws at your wedding, along with some more great gift ideas, on the GiveIt blog.

Your Officiant

This will depend on your relationship with your officiant and their involvement in your wedding preparation. For some couples, the officiant is simply there to say a few lines, sanctify the marriage, and move the events along to the party. But, for others, their officiant may be a friend or family member or someone they’ve been close with for a long time. If you fall into the latter category, it’s a good idea to budget for an officiant gift.

If you’re getting married out of town, consider paying for your officiant’s travel expenses — even if they were going to attend the wedding anyway. No matter how you choose to say thank you, don’t forget to include a note!

Your Wedding Coordinator

Your wedding is an event that requires many separate components to come together seamlessly. If you’ve put someone in charge of making sure things run smoothly, consider getting them a small thank-you gift to express your gratitude. A handwritten note tucked inside a basket of assorted goodies will do the trick. Add a scented candle, some cozy socks, gourmet popcorn or chocolate, and an Amazon gift card, and you’re good to go!

Tips for Gift-Giving on Your Wedding Day

Giving a gift as a bride is all about showing your thanks and appreciation for the people who have helped to make your wedding day special. Here are some helpful tips so you can do it in a way that’s authentic to you:

• Give a wedding day gift to anyone you feel deserves one — there’s no pressure one way or another, but it is a good idea to at least write a thank you note to everyone who made your big day happen.
• Don’t feel obligated to spend big on your gifts. You can show your gratitude without breaking the bank. Read our spending guide for more tips for sticking to your gifting budget.
• Send your guests home with a small gift at the end of your wedding day. Check out 11 ideas they’ll love.
• Looking for a special way to thank your wedding vendors? Here are four ways you can do it.
• In need of more gifting ideas and inspiration? We’ve got you covered!