Wedding planning is a nerve-racking experience, but many couples realise their stress levels could be well off the charts were it not for the help of their closest friends. That's why many brides and grooms place so much thought on drumming up personalised gift ideas for their bridesmaids and groomsmen as a way of expressing their gratitude.
'The most special gifts are ones that reflect your friendship, and do not necessarily have to tie-in with the wedding,' says Evelyn Mills, founder of luxury wedding planning company and bridal boutique Marriage Maestros. 'It's really a way of saying thank you to people for their lifelong friendship, and for getting you to the stage of your wedding or, in some cases, introducing you to your partner.'
The most common wedding gifts include strands of pearls, jewellery boxes and shawls for women, and engraved cufflinks, pens and cigar lighters for men.
Some couples have turned to presents that tie-in with the theme of their destination weddings. For example, parasols, matching bikinis, flip flops, beach towels and sun hats, while more unusual ideas include mini-photo albums featuring photos of the wedding day, art jamming and iPod nanos and iPod touches loaded with childhood photographs.
'Traditionally, the maid of honour and best man do get more expensive gifts, but it is not a must,' Mills says. 'However, I think if they are closer friends who have done a lot more to help you get through life and your wedding, then they should get better and bigger presents.'
Hotels and gift companies say they have seen couples gravitate towards giving more unusual gifts, most notably, in the form of an experience rather than a traditional item.