Wedding gift traditions usually point toward the couple, so it is easy to forget that the bride's parents often spend months, and sometimes a good deal of money, helping to make the day happen. A thank-you gift from the couple is a gracious way to say so. This page is about that gift: what suits a mother and a father, when to hand it over, what to write and how to keep it modest. It stays with the parents of the bride. If you are choosing for the groom's side, the mothers and fathers of both sides or the bride herself, we link the right pages below so each one stays focused.
Who is the gift for, and where else should you look?
Because "parents of the bride" overlaps with several wedding gift questions, here is where each one is answered, so you land on the right page.
| If you are shopping for | Go to |
|---|---|
| Your own parents (from the bride or couple) | This page |
| The groom's mother | Gifts for the mother of the groom |
| What both mothers actually do | Mother of the bride and groom duties |
| The bride, from a mother | Gift for the bride from her mother |
| The bride, from the groom | Gifts for the bride from the groom |
| A friend getting married | Wedding gift for a friend |
A gift for the mother of the bride
A small piece of jewelry she can wear on the day and afterward is the easiest gift for the mother of the bride, because it ties the gift to the occasion without taking up space in a drawer. Choose something that suits her taste rather than yours. If she wears silver, do not buy gold, and if she favors small pieces, skip the statement piece.
- Mom Heart Necklace ($36.99): a heart holding a mother and child silhouette, set with CZ stones, in 316L stainless steel on a 16 inch chain with a 2 inch extender. Stainless steel is considered hypoallergenic for most wearers, though not nickel free. Stock is low (a few pieces), so choose it early.
- Heart Initial Necklace ($34.99): with your initial, or the initials of you and your sibling if you want to share it, on a 316L stainless steel base with 18K gold plating. Adjustable 16 to 18 inches and well stocked.
- Circle Heart Necklace ($34.99): an open heart outline with a small pave ring, 925 sterling silver, in gold plated or plain silver finishes. Stock is limited, especially the gold.
- Pearl Drop Earrings ($29.99): a natural white pearl on 925 sterling silver with 14K gold plating, a classic for a wedding outfit if she has pierced ears.
For more ideas in the same spirit, read mother of the bride jewelry and birthstone necklaces for mom.
A gift for the father of the bride
Fathers are harder to buy jewelry for, and an honest answer is that jewelry is not always the best fit. Many fathers of the bride would rather have a framed photograph from the day, a handwritten letter or a keepsake box than a piece to wear. If he does wear jewelry, a simple cross necklace is one of the few options we have, and it only suits a man for whom it is meaningful: our Men's Cross Necklace is $59.99 in 316L stainless steel on an adjustable 18 to 22 inch chain, in silver or gold tone. For other men's ideas, see jewelry gifts for him. Do not force a jewelry gift when a photograph or letter will mean more.
One gift for both parents
If you want a single gift for both parents, a shared keepsake often works better than two separate pieces of jewelry. Ideas that need no jewelry at all:
- A framed photograph of the three of you from the wedding morning, or from your childhood.
- A keepsake box holding a letter and a few small mementos.
- A handwritten letter for each parent, read privately.
- A piece for her and a framed note for him, so both feel acknowledged.
Engraving, if you choose it, should be short, such as a date or initials.
When to give it, and who from
The most common moments are the morning of the wedding while you are getting ready, the rehearsal dinner or a quiet moment before the ceremony. A private moment suits a heartfelt gift better than a public toast. If you give it at the rehearsal dinner, that is a natural place for thanks to both families. Etiquette varies by family and culture, so there is no single correct time, and it is fine to give it after the wedding instead. If you are the bride, it can come from you alone or from the two of you as a couple. If your partner's parents are also receiving a gift, try to keep the gifts similar in thoughtfulness and cost so neither side feels overlooked.
What to write in the note
A short, specific note will be remembered long after the gift. Mention something real, such as the sacrifice, the advice or the memory behind the thanks. Here is a simple pattern to adapt:
Mom and Dad, thank you for everything that brought me to this day. I could not have done it without you, and I wanted you to have something to remember it by. With all my love.
For more on the wording of a thank-you note, see wedding thank you card wording.
Keep it modest and meaningful
There is no required amount, and the value of the gift is never the point. A $30 piece with a sincere note will mean more than an expensive item given without thought. If money is tight after wedding costs, a letter and a photograph are completely acceptable. Wedding budgets are personal, and your parents will care that you thought of them, not what it cost. For the other people on the day, our wedding party roles guide shows who else usually receives a thank-you.
Shop This Guide
A small, sentimental pendant is an easy gift for the bride's mother. The Mom Heart Necklace is $36.99 and ships free in the US, but stock is low. The Heart Initial Necklace is a well stocked alternative.
Shop the Mom Heart NecklaceFrequently Asked Questions
Do you give your parents a gift on your wedding day?
Many couples do, but it is a custom and not a requirement, and a heartfelt note alone is also a gracious way to say thank you.
What do you buy your parents on your wedding day?
A small piece of jewelry for your mother, a framed photograph or letter for your father, or one shared keepsake for both are the most common choices.
What is a good jewelry gift for the mother of the bride?
A dainty pendant, such as a heart or initial necklace, or a pair of pearl earrings, suits most mothers of the bride because it is simple and can be worn again.
What are good personalized wedding gifts for parents?
An initial necklace, a short engraving with a date, a framed wedding morning photo or a keepsake box with a letter are personal without being expensive.
When should you give the gift to your parents?
The morning of the wedding or the rehearsal dinner are the most common times, though any private moment that suits your family works.
What should parents give their daughter on her wedding day?
Many parents give the bride a piece of family or sentimental jewelry; for mothers, our guide to a gift for the bride from her mother has ideas.
How much should you spend on gifts for your parents?
There is no set amount, and a modest, thoughtful gift with a personal note is just as appropriate as a larger one.
Should the groom's parents get a gift too?
It is thoughtful to give them something similar, and our gift for the mother of the groom guide covers that side.
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The piece they're describing β Mom Heart Necklace β 316L Stainless Steel, Mother & Child Pendant, CZ Stones
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