Hen-Do Gifts for the Bride-to-Be

The first thing to remember is that the hen-do is the occasion for the future bride to relax and step away from the stressful wedding planning. Indeed, there is often a lot to think about when planning a wedding, so it’s no wonder that many brides describe it as a challenging experience. As a bridesmaid, you can’t take over the planning bit for her. But you can make her feel cared for and supported during the hen-do party. Typically, the hen-do is planned shortly after the engagement has been made official. At that point, the bride still has a long time to go before attending her wedding. So, this also gives bridesmaids a chance to let them know how they can be helpful. For instance, if a bridesmaid is a talented photographer, she could offer to discuss wedding photography or wedding poses with the bride. Don’t decide for the bride which services she should use. Share your expertise and let her come to a decision. It’s the best way to make the wedding plan less stressful!

As the date of your best friend’s wedding approaches, you have probably started to notice that there are tons of great gifts out there that you can buy to give the bride-to-be as part of your hen-do, including shot glasses and coasters, funny tees and tumblers. However, it might be hard to know what really belongs in the basket – so here’s our guide to essential hen-do gifts that will help the bride-to-be both plan and relax ahead of her big day!

Hen-Do Gift Ideas!

The Team Gift

Bridesmaids, you’re already a part of this special moment, and the best way to show it is with a team gift. Get everyone on board with matching hen-do outfits using customization services from companies such as Mato & Hash. 

What are the best-matched outfit gifts for a hen-do? Typically, matched tees are one of the most popular items because they are easy to wear on a day out with the bride-to-be and the rest of the hen-do participants. But there are some exceptions depending on when and where you are throwing a hen-do party. For summer parties, matched caps are a better choice. If you are likely to be rained on, such as rain showers in spring, you can consider a simple jacket or hoodie instead!

The Bullet Journal

The most common type of bullet journal is a blank book with weekly or monthly calendars on each page and an index in the back. Bullet journals are designed to be personalized and allow you to track your goals, habits, and anything else that’s important to you. Most people love the concept of a bullet journal because it provides a structured and self-contained stress-free map for personal growth. Unlike calendars and to-do lists that tend to focus on ticking items off, a bullet journal lets you embrace the journey. For the future bride-to-be, journaling can be a fantastic way to relax and stay on track with her wedding goals. You can even recommend a few tips and ideas to create a soothing bullet journal. Using a bullet journal as a way to plan ahead for the wedding (or any other event!) helps incorporate essential factors into the whole process:

• How the bride-to-be feels
• The little things she enjoys
• Other projects that are also important to her during the wedding preparations, such as weight loss, fitness, skincare, etc. 
• Ideas and concepts for the decor or the dress
• Etc. 

Friendly Notes From The Bridesmaids

What does a future bride need most as she is planning her wedding? The answer is Someone or something that can lift her mood. Even if she is looking forward to marrying her sweetheart, there are a lot of ups and downs during the planning process. She will face a few challenges and stressful moments, such as trying to source suppliers available on the day and without her budget range or having to book a venue without knowing exactly how many guests will be present. 

It’s not uncommon for future brides to feel disheartened or anxious from time to time as they have to juggle many plates simultaneously. So, the hen-do is the perfect opportunity to give her a minimum emotional support gift. You can compile positive notes from all the friends and bridesmaids and arrange them in a pretty display, such as a decorated box or written on colorful balls inside a glass jar. The bride-to-be can read a few notes each time she needs an emotional pick-me-up. 

Examples of heartfelt and soothing words can include:

“We are so excited to be able to share this special time with you. We know that these months leading up to your wedding can be full of stress and pressure, but we want you to know that we will always be there with you. With these fun little notes, we hope that they will help make your day a little bit more relaxing and enjoyable. Love, Your Bridesmaids”

“You’re already a fantastic woman. You will be a beautiful bride.”

“We love you as you are.”

“Don’t panic! We’re here to help you too.”

The Photo Album

Getting married is an important moment in someone’s life. There is a before and after for the bride. While she knows she will not lose contact with her social circle and change her life, the bride-to-be may still feel anxious at the thought of possible changes. How will getting married affect her social life? Will she still be able to see her friends as often as she used to?

The thing about getting married is: You have to go through it to fully understand how it will affect your life, your relationships with friends and family, and your overall social decisions. Everyone reacts differently. For some people, it truly doesn’t change a thing. For others, it can feel like a new calling and they want to make more time for their spouse. Regardless of her personality, it is natural for the future bride to worry about how getting married could change her friendship with the hen-do girls. So why not prepare a photo album for her? 

Start by creating a photo album or scrapbook that the bridesmaids can contribute to. This is a practical gift, but it’s also a great way to show them how much you care and want to be part of their lives. Include photos of her and her fiancé, details about her wedding plans (like what colors will be used), and include any other photos that will be meaningful to her. 

Beauty and skincare treatment

We all know that weddings are one of the most stressful things a woman can plan. But one way to take some weight off her shoulders is by helping the bride-to-be meet professionals who can ensure she looks and feels her best. 

For instance, it can be a good idea to arrange for a skincare appointment during the hen-do party. It will allow the future bride to discuss her skin complaints and find products that will help her look her best for the big day. 

Beauty treatments can come in many forms, but they are just as helpful. For example, the future bride may feel self-conscious about a mole on her face, or perhaps she’s worried about the loss of volume underneath her eyes. A professional beauty technician could help her resolve these issues and make her feel her best.

A Spa Day

Spa days are a great way to relax and prepare yourself mentally and physically for your wedding. After all, it is going to be one heck of a long day! Plus, you’ll get some pampering that will make you feel relaxed, pampered, and ready to marry your best friend. So, it makes sense to consider how to include a spa gift during the hen-do party. Especially if the bride-to-be is already stressed!

The good news is that a spa day doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find deals by researching local spas in your area. You can even just take care of your friend at home with some DIY products like a DIY bath salt soak.Spa days are all about relaxing and getting some much-deserved me time. While a luxury spa booking can feel like an indulging treat, she may enjoy just as much soaking in the bath with a glass of bubbly and a soothing face mask. The key is to show her that she is allowed to relax and take time for herself. 

Personalized Jewelry

Granted, when a woman gets married, she tends to wear a wedding band and sometimes even an engagement ring. So, you may be worried about buying jewelry for your friend. But personalized jewelry, such as customizable bracelet charms, can be a lovely way to stay with her in her thoughts. You could commemorate the hen-do by selecting charms that represent what you’ve done or simply choosing everyone’s birthstone for a colorful bracelet. It can be a powerful reminder that, no matter what, she doesn’t have to go through the stress of planning on her own. 

Are you a bridesmaid at your best friend’s wedding? You want to help her prepare and feel her best on the bid day. These little gift ideas may not replace a professional wedding planner, but they can show your affection and support to the bride-to-be. And this is what makes them all the more meaningful.