How to Write a Killer Maid of Honor Speech: The 5 D’s

We doubt Modern MOH was your first stop on the “how the hell do I write a maid of honor speech” search train, but we do hope to be your final destination. You see, unlike most articles you’ll find on the subject of speeches, we’re actually going to give it to you straight. No vaguely basic outlines or generically boring examples, just the cold hard facts. Because we have some serious experience in this department, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned about writing a killer speech, it’s this: there is no secret formula, no one right way. How could there be? Each and every relationship between a maid of honor and bride is different from the next, just as each and every memory is uniquely yours. So stop looking for speeches to steal off the internet and start writing your one-of-a-kind story using our 5 D’s.

1. Define your objective

Before you begin writing your maid of honor speech, you must first define your objective. In other words, you need to have a goal you’re looking to accomplish. For example, are you hoping to make people laugh? Cry? Both? Do you want talk about your history with the bride, about how you met the groom, or what their relationship means to you? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you figure out the direction you should take when writing your speech. If you find yourself struggling to define your objective, simply think of your relationship with both the bride and groom. Do they have a great sense of humor? Is your time together spent mostly joking around and laughing? If so, try taking a comedic approach to your speech by cracking a few jokes along the way. Or maybe you and your bride have been through some very serious times together that you want to acknowledge, in which case your speech may be much more emotionally moving. The great part about this objective is that it’s your own, so there is no one right or wrong way to go about it.

Our advice: Touch on a little bit of everything. Start strong with a joke or two and finish out with a sentimental toast. While there is no exact formula to it, a truly killer speech is both funny enough to get people laughing and moving enough to bring a tear to their eye. Secondly, don’t spend so much time talking about your history with the bride that you forget to talk about the groom. Even if you don’t have your own personal memories with your BFF’s new hubby, that doesn’t mean he should be left out of your speech. Instead, talk about their relationship and what it means to you, including your wishes for their future together.

2. Decide on your point of view

The key to writing a killer of maid of honor speech is to not think of it as a speech, but instead a story. And as the narrator of this particular story, it’s up to you to determine the point of view from which you tell it. While it may seem obvious that you’d write from the first person POV, there are definitely some benefits to switching it up. To begin with, writing from a third person POV will give your speech a unique twist and a more story-like feel. For example, instead of saying “Taylor and I met on the school bus in the third grade and we’ve been friends ever since”, you could say “When Taylor was in the third grade, she met a little girl on the school bus and they remained friends to this day”. Like the idea, but don’t think you can write an entire speech that way? No problem. Unlike what you were taught in grade school, you have the freedom to switch between differing points of view when telling your story. If you haven’t caught on yet, let us reiterate: there is no right or wrong when it comes to writing your speech.

Our advice: Take advantage of switching up the points of view. Start with narrating from the first person point of view, especially if it’s easier for you to tell the history between you and the bride that way, and when it comes time to talk about the couple, tell their story from an outsider’s perspective. If you do decide to go this route, don’t get so crazy with it that you start confusing your audience. The whole point of using different points of view is to enhance your speech, not complicate it.

3. Determine your must-haves

Now that you’ve defined your objective and decided on your POV, it’s time to determine your must-haves. By must-haves, we mean the anecdotes you absolutely want to include in your speech. For instance, is there a particular memory you have with the bride that you definitely want to talk about? Or maybe you were there when the bride and groom met and you want to tell your side of the story. Determining your must-haves before you begin writing will guarantee you don’t forget to feature them. Not to mention, it will keep you from going off track when it comes time to put pen to paper. If you’re having trouble narrowing it down, keep this in mind: it’s much better to have one or two epic stories than a mix of mediocre ones.

Our advice: Don’t be that maid of honor that goes on and on about memories and inside jokes you have with the bride. Instead, tell one or two really great stories that portray your friendship and then move on to her relationship with the groom. Too many MOHs make the mistake of making their speech all about them and not enough about the couple they are supposed to be celebrating. If you want to talk about yourself in front of a big audience, try Youtube.

4. Develop your story

As we mentioned before, the key to writing a killer maid of honor speech is to tell it like a story. And just like any great story, you must develop it from beginning to middle to end (think along the lines of “once upon a time” to “they lived happily ever after”). While it’s entirely up to you to decide what constitutes the beginning, middle and end of your particular story, you should avoid big jumps in time. In other words, do your best to develop it in chronological order. For instance: Start by telling the story of how you and the bride met, continue on with a memory you have of the bride and groom, and finish with your well wishes for their future as husband and wife. Again, there is no magic formula when it comes to writing a maid of honor speech, but having a clear and concise storyline is highly suggested.

Our advice: Don’t be predictable. Chances are you and your BFF didn’t cross paths in some epic way (especially if you’re sisters), so skip the generic “this is how we met” story. Instead, dive right into a funny/crazy/holy s*$&! moment to get the crowd’s attention. And don’t be boring with your finale either. No generic “cheers to the Mr. & Mrs.”, we know you can do better than that. Your goal should be to receive a standing ovation, not a polite golf clap.

5. Describe your characters in detail

We can’t stress how important this final step is when it comes to writing your maid of honor speech. Seriously, taking the time to describe your characters in detail is what differentiates the bland from the bomb. And just so we’re clear, by characters we mean the bride and groom and by detail we mean elaboration. For example, instead of saying “Taylor is such a great friend, she’s always been there for me whenever I needed her”, you should say “I’ve never met a more loving and loyal person than Taylor, she truly exemplifies what is means to be a best friend”. These extra tweaks may seem insignificant to you, but they’re exactly the lines that will resonate with your audience and more importantly, the couple. And if writing isn’t your strong suit, don’t worry. Simply speak from the heart, you’ll be surprised at how well your final product turns out.

Our advice: Use a thesaurus (seriously, we do it all the time). It’s a great way to spice up your word choice and will stop you from repeating yourself. On the flip side, don’t feel like you have to use a ton of fancy words- you want to sound like yourself after all, not Shakespeare. Lastly, don’t be afraid to throw a bit of alliteration in there. It brings character to your writing and makes it much more memorable (see what we did there?)

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9 Bachelorette Party Activities That Don’t Involve Strippers

Once you’ve decided on the when and where, it’s time to figure out what you’re actually going to do at the bachelorette party. Of course there will be dinner, drinks and a whole lot of dancing done over the weekend, but what about all the time in between? This being called Modern MOH, we don’t get down with half-naked guys swinging their junk around. If that’s your thing, more power to ya. If not, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re staying local or travelling to a destination, we’ve come up with nine activities guaranteed to be a good time.

 

1. Do a Wine Tasting

If you and your girls enjoy splitting a bottle of wine or five during girls night, this is the perfect choice for you. Nowadays there is a vineyard or winery around every corner, so finding one shouldn’t be an issue no matter where you go. Simply research options that are close to where you’re staying and make a group tasting reservation at your favorite. We recommended having transportation figured out beforehand, so everyone can have a good time without having to worry about getting behind the wheel.

2. Perform Karaoke

This one is a total must for any bachelorette party, especially for those of you who aren’t afraid to put on a show. Trust us when we say there’s no faster way to score a round of free drinks than by getting on stage and bringing down the house. While karaoke bars may be a thing of the past, there’s bound to be one found in every town if you search hard enough. P.S. We highly recommend Wannabe (Spice Girls) and Everybody (Backstreet Boys) as group go-tos.

3. Hire a Henna Artist

We absolutely love this idea because it’s not only totally unique, but super fun too! Before a night out on the town, have a local henna artist come to your place and give each girl some custom ink. Have no idea where to find a henna artist? We recommend checking out GigMasters or Thumbtack (you’d be surprised at how many options you have!). P.S. Henna tattoos last up to two weeks, so if your bachelorette weekend is soon before the wedding, this might not be the choice for you.  

4. Get a Psychic or Tarot Card Reading

There’s no type of fun like the supernatural sort. And what better way to celebrate the bride’s upcoming wedding than with a look into her future? Find a psychic or tarot card reader that will come to you from one of the websites above, or simply look up shops that are close to where you’re staying. P.S. We recommend double checking with the bride and the rest of the girls before booking, just to make sure everyone is comfortable with the idea.

5. Complete a Scavenger Hunt

We consider this the staple of any good bachelorette party. Not only does it require all the girls to work together as a team, it results in a ton of hilarious pictures. If you’re not the imaginative sort, simply download a premade template of off Etsy (we like this option). However, we do commend creativity and therefore highly suggest coming up with a list of your own. Obviously, you can call on the help of your fellow bridesmaids for some ingenious ideas.

6. Take Before and After Pictures

While this isn’t a very time-consuming activity, it’s hilarious all the same. Once you’re all glammed up and ready to hit the town, have each girl take a “before” picture (aka pre-tequila shots). When you take the “after” picture is up to you. If you are coherent enough when you get back from the bar, we suggest doing it then (drunk photoshoots are the best, amiright?). If it’s straight to bed, snap the shots the next morning (I woke up like this #flawless). Although it should be very clear which is the before and which is the after, use these customized props as an added bonus.

7. Book a Blow Out

We consider blow dry bars to be one of the greatest modern day inventions. Seriously though, how freakin’ awesome is it to have a professional style your hair without having to pay an obscene amount for a cut and color? Because the blow dry bar trend is rapidly growing, with a new store popping up in every city, you should have no problem finding a salon near you. Simply make a reservation for you and your girl gang during the day and hit the town that night looking like runway models. P.S. This is also a great way to experiment with a hairstyle you’re considering for the big day!

8. Find a Drag Show Brunch

If you’ve never been to one of these shows, you are seriously missing out. Trust us when we say you’ve never had a better time sipping mimosas and Bloody Mary’s than you have when dancing along with dolled up drag queens. While these shows are often found in big cities, you’d be surprised to find them hosted in many a small town USA (just ask Google). Most restaurants require reservations, so be sure to plan ahead, and don’t forget to bring along your dolla dolla bills ya’ll!

9. Board a Booze Cruise

Obviously this last activity is dependent on the location and time of year, so it will not work for all groups. However, if you are travelling to a destination where booze cruises are a possibility, we highly recommend taking advantage of this option. Whether you take a spin out on the open water or use your vessel as a means to bar hop, your bride will never forget her last sail before the veil. P.S. This is the perfect opportunity to rock those super cute matching suits you’re always seeing.

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7 Bachelorette Party Games to Kick Off Your Girls Night Out

Before you and your bridesmaids take the bride-to-be out for a night on the town, you must first loosen up with some pregame festivities. Trust us when we say there’s no better way to get the party poppin’ and the giggles goin’ than playing a grownup game or two. Not only will you learn a lot about your fellow bridesmaids, you’ll be making memories to look back on and laugh about for years to come. Below we’ve provided seven silly bachelorette party games guaranteed to start your night off with a bang.

1. Would She Rather

This first option is a spin on the traditional “How Well Do You Know The Bride” game. Instead of answering a specific question about the bride, you’ll have to guess which of the two choices she would prefer. If your group is on the conservative side, play it safe with this PG-13 template. If you’re not afraid to get really weird with it, we highly recommend this X-rated edition. If you’re not sold on either option, feel free to put together your own version by asking each bridesmaid to contribute a couple of choices.

2.  Drink If

Similar to “Would She Rather”, “Drink If” is an adaptation of the popular “Never Have I Ever” game. Instead of having to come up with scenarios of things you’ve never done to get others to drink, you simply have to drink if you have done what’s been said. Keep it simple with these cute premade cards, taking turns passing them around the group til they run out (or you’ve done so many things you can’t possibly take another sip). For a more personal twist, ask your bride and fellow maids to contribute a few ideas and create a master list to play with.

3. Two Truths And A Lie

This game can be played two different ways, which makes it a great option for any group. If you want to use this game as an icebreaker to help the girls get to know each other a bit better, go with the traditional rules. Each girl says three facts about herself, two truths and one lie, then the group tries to guess the fib. For the bachelorette-themed version, have each girl write three memories they have involving the bride, two truths and one lie, and have the group guess the fable. We suggest playing both versions as a way to bond before the big day.

4. Bachelorettes Against Decency

We absolutely love this bachelorette version of Cards Against Humanity. Not only are the rules super simple (and well-known), it’s the ultimate way to break the ice and have everyone laughing their booties off. Simply download and print off these premade question and answer cards and you’re good to go! P.S. Beware that this game does contain sexual content and adult language, so make sure your girls aren’t afraid of the X rating.

5. That’s What She Said

If X-rated is your thing, here’s another hilarious option for you. Described as a better version of Cards Against Humanity, That’s What She Said is “the party game of twisted innuendos”. With 58 question and 400 answer cards included, you and your girls could be laughing for hours over this game. The best part is that once the bachelorette weekend is over, you can gift this game to your bride and her groom to keep at their home for future get-togethers.

6. Pin The Junk On The Hunk

Yes, this is exactly what you think it is- an adult version of pin the tail on the donkey. Trust us when we say you and your girls will be belly laughing after a round of this game. Check out all your celeb crush choices here, and as an added bonus, there’s an option to submit your own photo. P.S. We know what you’re thinking and the answer is yes, you are 100% permitted to use the groom’s face for some serious LOLs.

7. Prosecco Pong

Last but not least is a spin on the old college favorite- beer pong. Because we doubt you and your girls want to be rockin’ beer bellies on your night out, we’ve switched the brews for bubbles.  While this option isn’t as much of a “get to know you” game, you’ll certainly learn a lot about each girl when things get competitive. The only thing not included with your prosecco pong purchase is the booze, so don’t forget to stock up!

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Wedding Day Emergency Kit: Because It’s Better to Be Safe Than Sorry

When it comes to your bestie’s big day, there is no such thing as being over prepared. The truth is, no matter how well you plan for it, you can never anticipate what mishaps may happen along the way. Stay one step ahead of any wedding day disasters by packing an emergency kit full of style and safety supplies. Below we’ve listed everything you never knew you’d need, broken down into four functional categories.

For Hair and Makeup Touch-Ups:

• Hairspray
• Brush/Comb
• Bobby Pins
• Concealer/Cover Up
• Eye Makeup
• Lipstick/Lip Gloss
• Chapstick/Lip Balm
• Tweezers/Razor
• Makeup Remover
• Blotting Papers
• Nail Clippers/Nail File
• Earring Backs
• Compact Mirror

To Stay Fresh and Clean:

• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Mouthwash/Mints
• Floss
• Tampons/Pads
• Cotton Balls/Q-tips
• Deodorant
• Perfume
• Lotion
• Hand Sanitizer
• Baby Wipes/Baby Powder
• Tissues

For Minor Medical Injuries:

• Ibuprofen/Advil/Aspirin
• Allergy Tablets
• Pepto-Bismol
• Antacid
• Cough Drops
• Band-Aids
• Blister Stick
• Sun Screen
• Bug Spray

To Fix Wardrobe Malfunctions:

• Sewing Kit (scissors, thread, needle)
• Fashion Tape
• Lint Roller
• Static Guard
• Stain Remover
• Safety Pins
• White Chalk
• Clear Nail Polish

Obviously, this is a crazy amount of items, so we don’t expect you to pack each and every one. What we do recommend is choosing a few from each category that you think will come in handy, then purchasing each in its travel size at a local drugstore. Depending on the quantity of supplies you select, we love this makeup bag or its bigger tote twin as packaging options.

If a DIY emergency kit is not your style, here are our top three pre-packaged options:

Day Of Survival Kit, Etsy // Wedding Survival Kit, Beau-coup// Classic Wedding Survival Kit, Amazon

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Maid of Honor Wedding Day Duties: How to Rock Your Role One Last Time

Wedding day is the equivalent of Christmas morning to us here at Modern MOH. We absolutely love everything about it- from the hair, makeup and picture taking to the dinner, drinks and dancing that follows. Because this is your final day as maid of honor, we want to make sure you have an absolute blast and go out with a big ol’ bang. To guarantee your bestie has the wedding of her dreams and you have the time of your life, we’ve put together a list detailing day of duties for a flawlessly fun finale.

 

Getting Ready/Pre-Ceremony

1. Create a Timeline and Stick to the Schedule

 Trust us when we say that this is the key to a successful wedding day. While it may seem a bit overboard to have everything planned out to the minute, it’s absolutely necessary if you don’t want to be rushed for time or end up running late. Not to mention, nothing will stress your bride out more than a bridesmaid who is still getting dressed when pictures are supposed to be starting. To avoid such unnecessary anxiety, simply get together with your bride beforehand and work out all the details- from what time you need to be up and showered to the order in which everyone gets their hair and makeup done. Pro tip: Make sure you plan to be ready at least a half hour before pictures start in case you end up running behind (and if you stay on schedule, that’s just more time to sip bubbly!)

2. Be Prepared for Any and All Emergencies

No matter how properly you’ve planned for this day, there are bound to be a few hiccups along the way. In anticipation of any unforeseen catastrophes, we recommend being prepared for everything short of a natural disaster (we’re only half kidding). Now you may be asking yourself, “how and the hell am I supposed to do that?”, to which we say, “we got you, girl”. Check out our itemized list of everything you’ll need in your wedding day emergency kit. Unfortunately this list doesn’t have a solution to dealing with drama, whether it be bridesmaid or monster-in-law related, so here’s our advice on that: Do whatever you have to do to make it go away. Tell Ashley her hair looks just as good as Stephanie’s (even if it looks like a bird’s nest) and Mrs. Miller she’s blessed that her son is marrying such an angel (even when you want to tell her she’s the devil). No matter what, your number one job is to make sure the drama doesn’t touch the bride on her big day.

3. Keep Your Eye on the Bride

If we haven’t made it clear by now, let us say it one more time: nothing is more important than making sure your BFF has a dramaless and stress-free wedding day. To do so, you must constantly be on the lookout for any potential stressors: including the bride herself. With all of the nervous excitement floating around, it’s common for brides to get some serious wedding day jitters that left untreated, can lead to an all-out meltdown. Avoid a bridal breakdown by keeping your BFF occupied and upbeat throughout the getting-ready process. We recommend creating a wedding morning playlist full of sing-your-heart-out, dance-your-booty-off songs to keep the vibe light and fun. Side note: A glass of bubbly here and there never hurts, but be sure to keep an eye on just how much your bride is tossing back (her walk down the aisle shouldn’t look like a field sobriety test).

4. Ensure That Everyone (Including Yourself) is Fed and Hydrated

While sticking to the schedule is the key to a successful day, staying nourished is necessary if you want to survive the night. We all know that consuming alcohol on an empty stomach never ends well, so it’s imperative that you and your girls get some food and water in your system pre-ceremony. Nowadays it’s common for the venue or hotel to provide a light lunch while getting ready, so go with that option if available. If not, talk with the rest of the bridal party, as well as the MOB and MOG, about splitting the cost of catering (Panera and Chick-fil-a are great options). Just a heads up, it’s very likely that your bride won’t have an appetite with all the butterflies she’s feeling or will refuse to eat for fear of not fitting in her dress. Don’t fall for it! No matter what she says, it is your job to make sure she doesn’t faint at the altar (not kidding, we’ve seen it happen). Oh, and while you’re running around force-feeding everyone, don’t forget to save some for yourself.

 

During the Ceremony/Pre-Reception

 

1. Fluff the Train and Hold the Bouquet

Aside from making it down the aisle without falling on your face, these are the only two things you must do during the ceremony. We grouped them together because they go hand in hand and are really quite simple. Once your bride has made her grand entrance and meets up with her hubby-to-be, you’ll immediately want to fluff out the train of her gown so it’s flowing beautifully behind her. It may seem silly, but we recommend bending over in your dress a few times before the ceremony to guarantee there’s no accidental flashing or split seams come go time. As soon as you finish fluffing, stand up and take the bride’s bouquet so she can hold hands with her man. Because you’ll be holding both her and your bouquet for the remainder of the ceremony, we also recommend practicing your grip before walking down the aisle.

2. Bustle the Train and Make Any Other Adjustments

Now that your BFF has said “I do”, it’s time to celebrate! Before you party the night away, you must first make sure the Mrs. doesn’t trip over her dress on the dance floor. It’s more than likely that you’ve attended at least one fitting with the bride, therefore have already practiced bustling the dress. If not, we suggest a trial run pre-ceremony so you have a basic understanding of how it all works. Bustling is no piece of cake, so it’s very important you take your time and get it done right. If for any reason you can’t figure it out, ask for the help of the wedding coordinator (they have tons of practice with all types of gowns) or a fellow bridesmaid who has bustling experience. Once you’ve tackled that task, help the bride with any other hair or makeup adjustments she may need. Pro tip: This is also a great time to have the bride use the bathroom seeing as she’ll need your assistance in holding up her dress.

 

During and After the Reception

1. Feed the Bride (Part 2)

Yes, we know we’ve been over this once, but we’re back at it again to tell you just how important a duty this is. We can’t tell you how many brides skip eating their dinner because they get so caught up in talking to and taking photos with guests. First of all, no food should ever go to waste, especially a meal that the couple spent a lot of time and money on selecting. Secondly, your bride is guaranteed to lose steam halfway through her reception if she doesn’t have some fuel to run on. And that’s where you come in. If you see that the bride (or groom) is being kept from the sweetheart table, make it a point to remind them that dinner is served and they’ll have plenty of time to socialize during the remainder of the reception. This also includes drinking water, so be sure to keep your girl hydrated. Trust us, no couple wants to spend their first day as husband and wife nursing a hangover from hell.

2. Be the Life of the Party

Once you’ve taken care of your bride and have eaten your own meal, it’s time for the real fun to begin. Unless there is an especially carefree (or already intoxicated) guest, chances are that no one has ventured to the dance floor just yet. While it’s not entirely on your shoulders to get the party started, someone has to be the one to do it. So grab your guy or fellow bridesmaids, request your favorite song, and hit the floor. Trust us, it won’t take long for others to follow suit. As the night goes on, be sure to keep an eye out for any party poopers and see if you can’t get them up and moving. It will truly mean the world to your bride that you took the time to guarantee that every single one of her guests has a good time. Plus, there is nothing funnier than seeing Uncle Joe do the wobble.

3. Help with Clean Up

When the final song of the night has ended and guests start making their way to the exit, that’s your cue to begin wrapping it up. Most couples hire a company to take care of the clean up and breakdown, but it’s your responsibility to collect all personal belongings and have the other bridesmaids do so too. If you got ready at the venue, do a sweep of that area as well. Do your bride a favor and double check with whoever is taking home the gifts and decorations, oftentimes her mom, to guarantee that nothing valuable gets left behind. While most venues will have a lost and found, it’s a major pain to have to go back the next morning to retrieve forgotten items. During clean up, take the time to thank both sets of parents for their contributions to the wedding.

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6 Unique Bridal Shower Gifts That Aren’t on the Couple’s Registry

The role of maid of honor comes with it’s fair share of duties, one of which includes the giving of some seriously one-of-a-kind gifts. While the engagement gifts are all fun and games, your bridal shower gift needs to pack a little more punch. So save the bath towels and silverware sets to those shopping off the couple’s registry, and give your bestie something far more personal. To guide you through your gift-giving journey, we came up with these six special options.

 

1. Wine Rack

Are your bride and groom-to-be wine lovers? If so, this is the perfect option for them. Whether they already own a home together or are moving in after the wedding, a wine rack is always a great addition to any home decor. We love this wall hanging option because it can be customized to feature both the couple’s first names or their soon-to-be shared last name. Take this gift to the next level by pairing it with these personalized wine glasses.

2. Beverage Tub

We love this option because it really is the gift that keeps on giving. For starters, you can actually use this particular gift during the bridal shower to hold bottles of wine and champagne. Not only will your BFF love the display, she’ll be grateful for one less gift to open. Your bride and groom could also use this beverage tub during their own wedding, especially if they choose to have a serve yourself style bar. We recommend this custom option that includes the couple’s last name and wedding year.

3. Key Ring Holder

Do your future Mr. and Mrs. tend to be a bit forgetful when it comes to their personal belongings? If so, this is the gift for them. While a key ring holder may seem a bit boring, trust us when we say they’ll be grateful when they don’t have to search in the couch cushions for their car keys anymore. Not only is this gift extremely practical, we can almost guarantee it’s not something they’ll be putting on their registry. We love this custom option that includes the couple’s last name and the state they live in. If your bride and groom are dog parents, check out this super cute paw print pattern.

4. World Map

Do your bride and groom love to travel? If so, this is the gift for them! Not only will they have a reminder of all their amazing adventures hanging right in their home, they’ll be able to plan for future travels as well. Again, there are so many great options to choose from but here are our two favorites: this personalized burlap map or this custom coded map. They each come with a variety of push pins to mark both past and future travel destinations.

5. Wedding Song Lyrics Art

We think whoever came up with this concept is brilliant! What could possibly be more special than a piece of art that features the lyrics to the couple’s first dance song? The best part is there are so many different styles of artwork to choose from. If you’re looking for a rustic, one-of-a-kind piece, we highly recommend this heart-shaped burlap print. We also really love this personalized framed print that allows the bride and groom to add a wedding day photo along with the lyrics.

6. Customized Cookbook/Recipe Box

Last but certainly not least is our favorite bridal shower gift of all, a customized cookbook/recipe box. We love this option the most because it is genuinely thoughtful and super personal for the bride and groom. There are a few different ways to go about creating this cookbook/recipe box, so here is your first option: Send out these blank cards with the bridal shower invitations and have guests fill them out with their favorite recipes. Collect the cards as guests arrive and put them together in this personalized recipe box. Option number 2: On the invitation, instruct guests to come prepared with a family recipe, then have them take turns writing theirs out in this blank recipe book. Option 3: On the invitation, ask guests to email you their recipes so you can record them yourself.

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4 Gifts You Must Give to Your Newly Engaged BFF

He asked and she said yaaasssss!! Now that your bestie has a new rock on her finger, it’s time to shower her with celebratory gifts. We know there are a ton of options out there, but it’s ultimately up to you to decide which gifts best reflect your BFF’s personality. To help make your decision a bit easier, we’ve narrowed the choices down to our four favorites for every modern day fiancé.

 

1. Clothing

The first must-have on our engagement gift list is clothing (duh!). Every fiancé deserves to flaunt her new title for all to see and there’s no better way to do so than with a super cute shirt. Again, it’s up to you to decide on which style matches your BFF best, but here are our preferred picks:

Engaged AF, ninety5prints

Future Mrs., BrideBikini 

Fiancé , FreeSpiritInk

Miss to Mrs., up2ournecksinfabric

 

2. Drinkware

After you’ve decided on a shirt, it’s time to move on to gift number two: drinkware. Whether your bestie is a coffee addict or wine lover, there are tons of options in this category to choose from. Many of these also include a groom gift as an added bonus! Here are a few of our favorites:

Future Mrs. Mug, HappilyChicDesigns

Engaged Mug, MarylandVinylDecals

Wedding Planning Glass, RedLineDesignsShop

Future Mrs. Glass, HappilyChicDesigns

 

3. Home Decor

Next on our engagement gift list is something the future Mrs. can display in her home. From picture frames and signs to ornaments and wedding day countdowns, there is no shortage of decorations to choose from. Here are our top choices for each:

Engagement Picture Frame, fieldtrip

Framed Map, FramedHQ

Engagement Ornament, fieldtrip

Wedding Day Countdown, xoKateShop

 

4. Wedding Planner

Now it’s time to give your bestie something to help with all of the planning she has to do for her big day. Weddings require a ton of organization nowadays, so your future Mrs. will really appreciate having a personalized guide to help her along the way. Here are our favorite finds:

Forever and Always, PurpleTrail

My Wedding Planner, BlushAndGoldInvites

Personalized Wedding Planner, SoSublimeStantionery

Customized Wedding Planner, PaperLuxStationery

 

If purchasing and packaging separate gifts isn’t your thing, consider going all in on a engagement gift set. The best part about these is that you can go a big or small as you like, depending on your bride-to-be and budget. Here are four options that range in size and price:

Future Mrs. Set, HappilyChicDesigns

Engagement Gift Box, SimpleSentimental

Bride Gift Set, ArtandDecoShop

Engagement Gift Basket, TheTinyOwlCo

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