Need to save money on wedding party gifts? Almost everyone does. By the time your budget has stretched to paying for a few extra guests and all those other extras that somehow keep piling on, you have to find savings everywhere you can. But of course, as the bride, you have to buy nice gifts for every member of your bridal party, just as the groom needs to buy something special for all his groomsmen. And that can add up quickly.

Many bridal consultants will tell you that the easiest way to save money on wedding party gifts is to cut down the number of attendants. Not only do you need to provide them with gifts, but they (and their dates!) need to be invited to the rehearsal dinner, which adds an additional expense. On the other hand, these are your closest friends. By inviting them to share in your special day, you are making the bonds of friendship even stronger. You are showing your trust and love for them, and in turn, you are asking them to go to a lot of expense and trouble on your behalf. (Which explains why they deserve really great wedding party gifts!)

Instead of limiting the number of attendants and depriving yourself, exercise some common sense cost-cutting techniques instead. There are many ways to make an inexpensive gift special.

• Don’t assume that all wedding party gifts have to be identical. Choose a gift that lets each attendant know you understand them and have thought about their preferences. Choosing an inexpensive gift that relates to a hobby, a birth date, a personality trait, or somehow identifies a unique contribution that the individual has made to your wedding will make the gift special regardless of price.
  
• Choose a unique way to present the gifts. Combining a gift-giving ceremony for the wedding party with your rehearsal dinner can allow you to highlight the important contributions the attendants are making through words as well as gestures.
  
• Combine the need for a nice wedding party gift with your desire to have the wedding party look attractive and uniform. Buying matching wedding jewelry, either earrings or necklaces for your bridesmaids, or tie pins or cuff links for groomsmen, is always a nice way to say thank you.
  
• Shift the expense from an expensive rehearsal dinner that lasts one night to wedding party gifts that will last for many years. Consider alternate venues and options for the rehearsal dinner. A romantic tailgate picnic, a night of bowling, or a backyard barbecue can all be great opportunities for the wedding party to let off some steam – and they can all be a lot more fun than a night in a stuffy restaurant.

Saving money on wedding party gifts doesn’t necessarily require you to skimp on the gift. And don’t choose consumables or something that will wear out quickly. By putting thought into the gift and the presentation, you are making a statement about your appreciation for your friends and their contributions to your special day. Buy wedding party gifts that will make your attendants happy and help them remember you and your wedding with fondness.