I always wanted to be a bridesmaid when I was growing up.........and I never was... :(
So when I get married I have 4 bridesmaids, and I have made their dresses, bought their jewellery and bought them a lovely thank you gift.....

But I wonder what I can do to REALLY tell them I appreciate them? to make them feel really special.....rather than them just turning up, doing the bridesmaidey type stuff, then being bored out of their skulls. I want them to be part of the proceedings not just the extras....

I had thought maybe on the morning of the wedding take them somewhere nice for breakfast, then while we all get ready together drink some champagne........maybe play some up-beat music and get in the mood for dancing.......get the photographer to take some fun pictures ....

I just dont want them to feel bored, or just there to look pretty on my pictures....which they will cos they are all gorgeous and slim......GRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!! LOL
I want them to feel its THEIR day too. And not ever being a bridesmaid.....I dont know whats the norm TBH.
I was married before but the bridesmaids were little and only turned up at the house 30 minutes before they got dresses, so we didnt have fun exactly....but these girls are adults, 1 of which is my own daughter and 2 are H2Bs daughters, so its important to make them feel like this is a fun day, a memorable day.....

What can I do to make it really memorable for them......?

Wow hun, you're pulling out the stops already. It's so lovely that you're doing something nice for them and want to. Sounds like you're already doing plenty.

Believe me, they will feel special and part of your day just because they have been part of all the planning, organising, support and walking down that aisle with you. Don't forget, it is your day!

I've been bridesmaid 3 times and apart from the usual part of the planning and getting dressed and getting hair and makeup done together I did not expect anything else and still felt I was a special part of the day just because I was asked to be a BM.

There is a lot to do on the morning of the wedding, I was certainly run off my feet the morning of my sisters wedding (I was MOH), dealing with the cake lady, florists and registrar, plus ensuring sis was ok that I didn't have time to relax so I doubt they will be bored.

Maybe when you get back from honeymoon, take them all out for a nice dinner or if you can afford it, treat them to a mini spa day or something. In the run up to the wedding my sis bought me my fave choccies (they're not cheap) and treated me and the other BM to lunch, we went to have our nails done together too a couple of days before the wedding.

xxx

indreamland........I think a massive box of thorntons thrown into the mix wouldnt hurt! LOL

Lol - it certainly won't!

The first "meeting" that I had with my sis (MOH) and best mate (BM) I bought them both a box of choccies just to say thanks for agreeing to be my BM's as I know how much time they will be putting into this wedding and the support that they will give me.

I have tried to buy them lunch when we went to Watford to see the Church and reception venue on Saturday but they wound't let me pay and in fact paid for my lunch. They then wouldn't let me pay for the car park bless 'em!

Little pressies like a box of chox or bottle of wine once in a while when you all get together would definitely be appreciated but don't be surprised when they want to treat you and believe me, being asked to be part of your special day will already have meant the world to them!

xxx

I'm having my baby sister (17 isn't really a baby but she is my youngest sister) sleep in my hotel room the night before and hopefully my big little sister and her best friend are staying too.

Planning on having a meal/takeaway then some drinks and face/hair masks etc and girly gossip, then we are all gathering in my room in the morning after breakfast for some bucks fizz while we get ready.

Depending if they are both off from education having baby sister stay at mine a few days before then we can all go get our nails/waxing etc done together. If not will be sending them both some money to get them done themselves.

Wasn't having an impurity one just a moisture one or a relaxing type one. Mum has got some that look like PVA glue NICE!

i think what you are doing allready is fab... think me and my bridesmaides are defo going out for breakfast then im really looking forward to the getting ready with them also they are my age, best friend and h2b sister... im sure they will been an important part of your day, i was bridesmaid when i was young they bought me a little silver bracelet but i was the only bridesmaide but i felt so special all day :) xx

I am having a dinner party (which will probably turn a bit messy) for just me and my 4 BM's to thank them for their hard work. I am going to get them together for the final dress fitting and then we will come back here for food and drinks x

mayb have them sleep ove rnite b4? go for a meal sumwhere? i have bought persoanlised slippers n gowns for my girls to wear mornin of weddin, dont really want a big breakie wiv dress so my mums puttin us on a little spead of picky things strawberries etc and 1 or 2 glasses o fhcampagne for the nerves!

The night before our wedding, my MOH, myself and my sister (who is stand in mother of bride) are all staying at venue,where they have a beauty salon, and will be treated to a full body massage, a luxury manicure and a glass of champagne! :)

You are already doing lots to make sure they feel really appreciated as bm's but i am sure all they want is for you to be happy and have a good day, so stop trying to worry about them, i'm sure there will be so much going on they wont have time to be bored lol
x

I've been a BM 7 times now and honestly, just being a part of the day and being chosen to be such a central part of the day is so special and exciting that any extra bits really aren't necessary. they'll just want to see you having a great time and if you are, then they will too. x

I don't think you need to worry too much about getting extras and making them feel part of the wedding too much.

I was a Bridesmaid for BIL2B and his wife last year, my first adult bridesmaid role and loved every minute! We were treated to afternoon tea in a nice hotel the day before, and were bought all our jewellery, shoes and dress. The Bride's mum even made us bridesmaid bags with a little bit of lip gloss, tissues, bridesmaid knickers and other bits. On the day we were pampered with hair and makeup ladies and then headed off to the wedding.

All of that was lovely, I really enjoyed myself, but if none of that had happened I would still have been honoured to stand up there with one of my best friends and my new family. I WANTED to do lots of odd jobs on the day, running round checking people were ok, and had drinks, getting people to sign the picture I'd painted for the couple and smiling through the 2000 (actual number) of photographs! knowing that I was doing as much as I could to help them enjoy their day was what made my day. I got so much attention just for being a bridesmaid, I felt special anyway!

So I would make sure they know how proud you are to have them stand with you, that you know they will support you through the day and that they should still enjoy themselves throughout the day too. Whatever you do, don't go crazy spending money on them, hugs and some special time together before the big moment will be enough for them to know they mean the world to you xx

tbh ... i would get some thank you cards and write a personal message from you to each of them , i`m doing this for each of my children .... they would keep that and if it was me it would mean far more to me than going out for brekkie ( you could always get yummy stuff in )

Well yesterday I bought a massive box of Thornton's from Tesco's for £6 and a bottle of Champagne for £18.....
So that's £24 between 5 of us for something I consider to be a real treat. Plus I am taking them to Wetherspoons for breakfast......around £5 each so the treats for the day for 5 of us will cost me £50......I don't think that's bad at all for 5 of us, do you?
I am going to also have Strawberries to go with the chocolates and Champagne....but they will just have to be bought the day before.....