On your big day, you’ve got a lot to think about. On average it takes 18 months to plan a wedding and throughout those 18 months, you’ve tried on countless dresses, signed what feels like a million envelopes and ordered a thousand things that’ll all come together to create the perfect day you’ve always dreamed about.
You didn’t have to do it alone though, because your rock, your unicorn angel, your best friend forever (no takebacks, no jinxing, IDST) was there with you every step of the way. They helped you with your dress fittings, your endless floral choices and your temporary meltdowns. Perhaps they steered you away from some bad choices and into some good ones. Who knows – maybe they even introduced you to your husband or wife to-be?! No matter what, they’ve been by your side and now that the manic wedding planning is over, it’s the perfect time to thank them for everything they’ve done.
Whether you’ve been friends since nursery or you met recently and bonded quickly, you know each other like siblings and you know they’ll always be the person you can rely on for a brew and a gossip, a tearful phone call or a shoulder to lean on. You might not say it often, but you love them, and it’s difficult to say that out loud! So why not show them instead?
The world is full of gift ideas, but some of the best, most thoughtful ones are personalised. How much do you love getting something that has your name on? It’s the best. Here are some of the cutest, most thoughtful gifts and trinkets out there right now. Your bestie will absolutely adore them.
A beautiful Monogrammed Toiletry Bag
These gorgeous buffalo leather toiletry bags are stylish and sleek, and come in a range of colours from black and tan to shocking pink.
What’s more, Vida Vida is an ethical, fair trade company. For every bag you buy, a school bag full of books is donated to a child in Cambodia and Myanmar. So it’s beautiful, Vogue-worthy fashion that feels good for your soul too!
Pack a Happy Hamper
One of the best presents a grown adult can receive is a hamper full of goodies because it means MORE PRESENTS! The beauty of this gift idea is that as long as you take the time and care to fill it with delights you know your bezzie will love, it doesn’t matter how little you spend. It really is the thought that counts!
Why not give them a box full of wedding survival items such as paracetemol, a face mask, their favourite fragrance or a little lippy and a bottle of fancy water to use the day after? Add some keepsake items that can be kept forever as mementos and you’ve got yourself the perfect present for the best person you know.
Bespoke Jewellery
What says ‘I love you’ more than a statement piece of hand-made, bespoke jewellery?
Don’t break the bank looking for a jeweller to create your bestie’s name in cubic zirconia — before you head to the high-street, visit Etsy to find a multitude of independent artists creating personalised pieces at affordable prices.
Got a friend who likes to stand out? Try Black Heart Creatives. Their custom acrylic necklaces and earrings are things of huge and gloriously tacky beauty. Because who doesn’t want a pair of giant hoop earrings spelling their own name? Exactly.
Write Them a Letter
Sometimes simple is best. If you’ve blown all your savings on the wedding of your dreams, it might be best to write a heartfelt letter to your maid of honour or best man, to tell them exactly how much they mean to you. It can be a poem, a long letter (15 pages both sides might be too much though, Rachel from Friends!) or a tiny paragraph. Just telling them you care will be enough.
Read All About it!
Not sure what to write in your letter? Want something totally different that’ll make them cry? The Occasional Reporter doesn’t just create front pages from brides and grooms, you know.
Explain all the things you love about your best mate and our founder, Lauren, can do the rest, creating news stories that you’ll want to read over and over again, commemorating your best times together and looking forwards to the future. You can adorn it with photos and it can be vintage-looking or modern and colourful — the choice is entirely up to you. Start planning your headline news here.
If you want to talk to Lauren about what you want — or you’re not sure what you’d like your front page to say, get in touch.
