Gifts for best men and maids of honor

Before you say “I do” to each other, there’s a slightly smaller “yes” that may be a bit quieter but is hard to beat as a sign of trust: the “yes” from your best man and maid of honor as they accept their important roles. After all, you don’t choose your best man and maid of honor by lottery—it’s a well-considered decision, or sometimes, among friends, even a long-standing pact dating back to childhood.

Witnesses are always there!

Your best friend and your childhood friend will feel honored if you choose them as your witnesses. After all, with their signatures, they’re bearing witness to nothing less than your marriage. And the registrar, wedding officiant, or pastor will entrust them with the important responsibility of always being there for you—offering advice and support—even beyond your wedding day.

Did you forget your passport at home before leaving on vacation and are already at the airport terminal? A clear case for your best man! Is your husband unable to make it to the delivery room for the birth of your first child? Your maid of honor is there for you.

Okay, okay, before everyone who’s already agreed to be a maid of honor or best man starts panicking: Not every maid of honor or best man has to step in during emergencies like these. But at least before and during the wedding, the maid of honor and her male counterpart have plenty to do: from organizing the bachelorette party to helping choose the wedding outfits to giving a speech at the reception—clearly an honorable and demanding role.

That’s all the more reason why you, as the bride and groom, should make sure to reward your witnesses with a small token of appreciation for agreeing to be your witnesses. We’ve put together some gift ideas.

1. Anyone who frames the question so nicely is bound to get a "yes" …

Don't want to just ask your best friend if she'll be your maid of honor? We have a few ideas for you:

• Bake some letter cookies and have your friend spell out the word “Witness?” or “Maid of Honor?”
• Invite your girlfriend over for a game night with some tasty snacks. A crossword puzzle with the question “Will you be my maid of honor?” might take a little brainpower to put together, but it’s guaranteed to be a surprise.
• Personalized gifts, such as champagne glasses with names or titles (bride, maid of honor), come in handy during wedding preparations and, of course, at the bridal shower! These days, almost anything can be customized with lettering or engraving. How about a personalized robe and slippers, or a friendship bracelet for the maid of honor and an engraved keychain for your best man or chauffeur?

2. Because saying “thank you” for all your hard work is almost not enough …

Your wedding attendants have a lot on their plates during the planning and throughout the celebration, but they’re happy to do it and certainly don’t expect any payment. Still, it’s nice to thank them afterward with a gift. How about this:

• Anyone can have a wedding day, but do you remember the day you asked your best man and maid of honor if they’d take on those roles? Make a note of that day and celebrate it every year with a meal together!
• A photo book from the wedding. Another nice idea: a friendship album featuring many memories from the past, with a few wedding highlights and personal words of thanks on the last few pages.
• Have a case of wedding wine printed with a personalized label, give it as a gift, and reminisce about the wedding over your first glass together.

So, amid all the hustle and bustle surrounding your wedding day, don’t forget your witnesses. And even if you head off to the Maldives for a while to enjoy your honeymoon, come back and thank all the wonderful people around you—because they’re the ones who helped make your day so special.