She has been planning for months or perhaps years for her big day. Showers, parties, appointments, it can be overwhelming and exhausting. but mostly memorable. I love ideas that take these memories and make them part of the present. I see the beautiful photos of bride and groom hanging in the home, or the dress beautifully preserved and boxed, perhaps to be handed down one day. Then there is the silver dish from your grandmother lovingly displayed in your china cabinet, and the personalized quilt from a dear friend draped over the chair in the bedroom. With those visions dancing in my head, here are a few of my favorite bridal keepsake ideas for the bride-to-be.
Bridal Keepsake Ideas
Their Little Girl When I got married my parents gave me something I had always loved as a little girl, a doll house. I never had my own, but was smitten with the one in my Grandma’s basement. It was a bittersweet gift in a way. On one hand it was a celebration of the little girl still inside me, and on the other it was a farewell to being their little girl. I couldn’t help but cry. Is there something that defined who she was as a little girl you could give her? Perhaps a new pair of roller skates, a doll she coveted, a quilt stitched with fabrics from favorite outfits, a framed jersey or dance outfit or childhood books she read and cherished? If you are reading this as a new parent, perhaps you want to start something now! No it isn't silly, it will be awesome in twenty-something years. I love the story I read recently about the father who had all his daughter's teachers over the years sign inside the same book to her, Dr. Suess', "Oh the places we will go!".
Cherished.
Kiss the Bride Bridesmaids, your closet friends and family will be with you all the way. ..from showers, to bachelorette parties, tastings, fittings, rehearsals and of course the big day. Kiss the bride is a fun way to capture the love. These adorable frames were my way of giving brides an easy-to-do keepsake for their closest girls. Add kisses , signatures or messages and photos to make a frame you’ll always love.
Loved.
Signatures I have always loved signatures. A signature is like a fingerprint, a unique identifier that embodies a person. Recently I went on a girls trip with my college roommates. Each girl (I say girl very affectionately) mailed me deposit money on our Miami digs and I knew instantly who each letter was from by reading only the address line. Their handwriting was like seeing a treasured photograph. It told me who they were, even after all the years! I loved it and I saved them! Ok, enough on that but the idea is have your bridal party sign anything! I have seen photo frames, bottom of the brides shoes, chairs or other furniture, clothing or books. Selecting something meaningful for loved ones to sign will always speak volumes and evoke great memories.
