My new attempt is to do my best and tie every single one of my posts into some aspect of the business, so here goes nothing. In the works - a maid of honor gift. I thought I would share my ideas with all of you. I am a huge sap when it comes to expressing feelings - although I do it better on paper than in person, the wedding process for me made me write personal, heart-felt thank yous to our entire bridal party and family. It was intense. You DO NOT need to do this. But it is definitely an option and I recommend that you involve some form of writing into your bridal party gifts. HOL options below, of course.

First thing's first, think about how you want to tell your bridesmaids/MOH you chose them to stand by your side on the big day.

The Gathering 

There are a few different ways to do this. You could bring them all together by means of an invite - for instance, sending an invite for an engagement celebration with just your bridesmaids and MOH (obviously, they don't know this is the reason you called them to the undisclosed locale - of course, be discreet) - either brunch, a cocktail, lunch, a picnic in the park, you name it, you can do it. This is my favorite because it makes them feel so special once you do reveal the reason you brought them together. This also allows for the greatest form of creativity because you actually have all of them in one space and can more easily provide them with bridesmaid/MOH items. This form of bridal party reveal, although in my opinion the cutest option, is a little difficult if your bridal party is spread across the country.

Mail-In

This is how i broke the news to my bridesmaids and my MOH. I wrote them a card (sappy, of course), asking them to be my bridesmaid/MOH. Another option is to send them a bridesmaid package with essential bridesmaid items and other travel-friendly gifts (bridesmaid kit via Nordstom here). These modes of breaking the news leave room for future bridesmaid events and gift-giving scenarios, which are fabulous if you want to extend the bridal party celebrations throughout the planning process.

The Celebration

A great option for those brides that do not have the opportunity to shower their bridal party with gifts via The Gathering, and still a great option for the Mail-In brides who want to plan post-notification celebrations with their favorite ladies. Technically, you can you have any form of celebration for your bridal party whenever you'd like. You can plan a dinner, a breakfast, a private yoga session, a night out on the town. It's really up to the bride and her taste. This Mail-In Bride, however, actually sent her bridesmaids/MOH an invite for a cocktail bridesmaid gathering that took place immediately before her engagement party. (Back to the first person). We had champagne and appetizers while my bridesmaids and MOH opened their adorable bridesmaid gifts. Then we celebrated with the rest of our guests as soon as they arrived for the engagement party. Perfect night for me.

Another option is to host a bridesmaids brunch the weekend of the wedding - in this scenario, the wedding weekend is already in full swing and you can literally feel and bask in the wedding day excitement. You can also take that opportunity to gift your maids and your MOH their wedding day wardrobe and gifts (this is typically done at the rehearsal dinner, however, or even the morning of the wedding during the getting-ready portion, but definitely a great idea to get it out of the way in a more intimate setting).