Bridesmaids Gifts.

I wanted to do something different, to give them something that was personal and would last for forever... and if as a bride you aspire to do the same, I don't recommend googling "gifts for bridesmaids" - I found myself inundated with kitschy, uncleaver, and impersonal gifts. Did you know you can embroider just about anything?

I actually only googled that later on in a moment of doubt just to double check there wasn't anything better I could get them. I actually started setting this up even before DK proposed, I was that excited about these gifts!

And I think the email went something like "Dear Clementine, Please don't think me presumptuous because I know he's going to do it soon..." Hahaha.

I found Clementine a couple years ago on Flickr when I spotted the most beautifully handmade jewelry I'd ever seen. She not only has a gift for making jewelry, but her ability to photograph (lighting, props, placement) each piece is captivating. There's a serenity that pours out of these photos, reflecting her life, her dogs, her craft and I was completely drawn in. So it was a given that I'd ask her to help me with these most precious gifts... only... I wanted to take it a step further.

Once she agreed to my idea and once I finally had a ring (hahahhaha) we got to work. I sent Clementine a description of each of my bridesmaids based on the things that stand out to me most and from there, she designed a necklace inspired by each woman.

The basic design of each was the same, but the elements on each were different. To say I was pleased with her work is an understatement. And when I had a moment with each of my bridesmaids the night before the wedding, I'm pretty positive they loved and understood the heart behind the gift as well.

Here are the descriptions I sent of each:

Kim - Gifted painter, world traveler, raised in Holland, elegant yet totally adventurous, dark hair, blue eyes. My sister-in-law.

Amanda - Mother of 3, radio morning show host, loves green, light brown hair, the most "in the know" educated woman I know.

Heather - Lives in Colorado, lives for fresh air and adventure, is a video editor, incredibly creative, blonde hair, blue eyes

Domenica - From California wine country, a fabulous chef and mom, strong, glamorous with GREAT fashion sense.

Kristen - Vivacious, energetic, brilliantly creative and colorful, has wild blonde hair

Brandi - a natural hippy at heart, she's a brilliant hair stylist, loves funky jewelry and recreating old things for new uses, beautiful brown hair and brown eyes.

Arwyn - Simple sweet yet incredibly sassy and fierce. Stunning blue eyes and fair complexion, dark hair, is a painter.

And here are just a few of the pieces she made and sent, each named after each girl!

This is the "Brandi" - A large briolette of Oregon Sunstone (a burnt sienna color with flecks of what looks like sunshine throughout) with a cube of faceted Pyrite (fool's gold) and a little black onyx accent gem. These will be hung from oxidized silver chain.

And this is the "Domenica" - A large Labradorite gem (which flashes blue and green iridescent in the light), a small gray Moonstone gem and a gold vermeil cube to go on top, and a lustrous freshwater pearl petal, all hung from 14k goldfill chain.And here is the "Kristen"

Having these women stand with you on this most important day of your life is so crucial as a means of support and encouragement to not just get you through the process leading up to your wedding day, but also your wedding day and those following throughout life. Don't settle for something that will fade away, that they won't ever use and that is given only because it's tradition to get them a gift.

Not that I'm an expert or anything :)

Comments

[Jana]

Wow Liz, those are beautiful and amazing! What a great idea too. You're always so clever and crafty and creative! Great job!

[Zule]

You are so inspiring! you've even inspired me to create my own blog!

[Glenda Munguia]

Thank you for sharing your wedding and life experiences with us. I enjoy reading your updates and have even used you as an example when talking to friends about waiting for God's timing in relationships.