Warm Wear

Give the members of your bridal party monogrammed bathrobes that they can wear while they're getting their hair and makeup done on your wedding day and every day after.

Voice Your Wishes

Sometimes even your closest girlfriends can goof up at important moments during your wedding day. Remember that it's perfectly okay for you to speak up―politely—to your wedding party if it becomes necessary. 

Surprise Delivery

Sign your bridesmaids up for a flower-of-the-month club. Each woman will receive a new arrangement every four weeks. If your budget is tight, choose a three- or six-month package.

Wish List

Don't suffer in silence. It's perfectly okay for you to speak up politely to your wedding party if your reasonable wishes (like no cell phones during photos) are being dismissed.

Fanciful Flower Girls

Keep It Small

A pared-down bridal party will save you money: If you have eight bridesmaids, you've got to buy eight bouquets and presents, and probably book two limos. The smaller the group, the smaller the price tag.

Party Pointers

Some things to think about when choosing your bridal party: Ask family members, including his siblings, to be in your bridal party before you ask others; don’t worry about balancing the number of guys and girls in the wedding party; and if your best friend is a guy, make him your man of honor.

Doggy Duds

If you just can't imagine Fido being left out of your wedding party, why not go out and dress him in wedding-worthy attire? Try pinkbellygifts.com for pup-size wedding gowns and tuxes, quintessentialpet.com for a bow tie or glamourdog.com for a tiara.

Dog Walk

You may be excited that your four-legged friend is part of your wedding party, but he may still need a little coaxing down the aisle. The solution: Station people he knows and loves at end seats, and ask one of the groomsmen to have a treat on hand.

Aisle File

If you're close to your parents and stepparents, ask them all to walk down the aisle before the wedding party. You'll avoid hurting feelings by choosing sides.

Dinner Date

Give attendants gift certificates to their favorite restaurants to thank them for being part of your special day.

Sentimental Thank-Yous

Give each bridesmaid an album of photos of the two of you. If you haven't known a particular bridesmaid for that long, not to worry: Just fill her album with photos from the wedding.

Bridal 911

Create an emergency kit of band-aids, antacid, safety pins, deodorant, makeup, and more, and ask a bridesmaid to make sure it gets to where you're dressing for the ceremony.

Photographic Memory

Decoupage a shoebox with memorabilia for your bridesmaid gifts: old photos, ticket stubs from movies you saw together, and snippets from letters. Fill it with sweets or other treats.

Master Scheduler

Keep your bridesmaids on track with a day-of schedule that you distribute to each of them. Note the times and locations of every event, from the morning-of brunch to hair and makeup.