Get *Totally* Inspired With This Rose Quartz and Serenity Wedding Shoot

​1. Invite a special guest.

Is the bride close to a sister who lives a few hours away? Does she rarely get the chance to have quality time with her mom? Do you share a mutual friend who youknow the bride would love to share the day with, but who doesn’t get a lot of time away from the office? Reach out as soon as you have the bridal appointments booked to see if you might be able to work your magic and bring a special loved one to the occasion as a surprise.

2. Surprise her with a new outfit. 

Sneak a peek at your bestie’s closet and take note of her up-to-date sizes, then buy her the perfect outfit for dress shopping — preferably something she would never splurge on herself! A new jumpsuit, cool top, or an awesome pair of heels will give her an extra boost of confidence when she walks into the bridal salon in search of the dream gown.

3. Treat her to a morning of glam.

Hook your bride up with a blowout appointment or session with a makeup artist before the shopping expedition begins. She’ll feel extra-special, and a glam sesh will give her a great preview of what the wedding day will be like.

4. Plan the perfect meal.

Don’t wait until the day-of to stumble on the ideal lunch spot for the group or rely on luck to get a table at your favorite place. Now is not the time to play it by ear. Make a reservation somewhere along your shopping route so you won’t have to wait in line or ask the bride to make a decision on the spot about where the group should eat.

5. Put your phone away.

Chances are that your bride is a little nervous about the possibility of a photo of her in a dress she’s not loving — or, worse yet, the dress she’ll eventually settle on for the big day — circulating via text or on social media. Eliminate this anxiety by keeping your phone in your pocket. You can always grab it again if she asks you to snap a pic. Stashing your screen will also help ensure that your attention remains 100 percent on the bride herself.

6. Let the good times roll.

Who says the fun has to stop just because your pal has said yes to the dress? Last time we checked, the answer is no one. Keep the fun going with a special dinner, a Champagne toast or a cozy night of watching wedding-themed movies (we love Bride Wars) together at home!

Minted With a Heart Custom Portrait ($24+)

Treat mom and dad with a special portrait from your wedding with this custom photo art from Minted.

Gifts for Mom

ZCreateDesign "Best Mom Ever" Tote ($14+, was $16)

Give Mom a gift that tells it like it is, just like she does.#BestMomEver

ChrisKate Jewelry Triple Entwined Bracelet ($40+)

There's a good chance your mom read you the book Love You Forever when you were a kid. The message that you'll both love each other forever just so happens to match the endless loop of this bracelet. Plus, its simple design means she can wear it forever too.

slip Pure Silk Pillowcase ($89+)

This anti-aging/anti-bedhead pillowcase is like an all-night beauty treatment and Mom will be all over it.

BHLDN Thalia Earrings ($58)

You're not the only one who gets something new on your wedding day. Show your mom how much she means to you with these classic pearl drop earrings. It's an ideal match for a simple yet elegant MOTB dress.

Natori Beach Terry Robe ($84, was $120)

This cozy robe will be your mom's favorite pamper-me product. She'll be thankful as she calms down after the wedding and on days when she simply needs to unwind and relax.

Herbivore Calm Bath Salts ($15, was $18)

Your mom's there to help you make all the tough decisions, plan every detail, and get you ready to walk down the aisle. A morning bath with calming salts will help her relax and prepare for the big day — or recover from it the day after!

BHLDN Faux Fur Wrap ($98)

Depending on your mom's style this chic wrap could make the perfect accessory for a MOTB on the big day. If she's not a faux fur-type gal, a Pashmina wrap could still be a great gift.

ThePolkaDottedBee Mother of the Bride Personalized Lace Handkerchief ($20)

Your mom (and dad) will probably tear up on your big day. These embroidered handkerchiefs stand as the first line of defense against a blotchy face in photos AND make a great thank-you gift.

Gifts for Dad

The Art of Shaving's Gifted Groomer Kit ($35)

Dad's gotta look sharp as he escorts you down the aisle. This high-end shaving kit ensures there won't be any cuts along the way — at least as far as his scruff is concerned. The lotions and serums incorporate botanicals and essential oils, so they're easy on the skin.

Bevel Trimmer ($175)

If your dad prefers an electric shave, this sleek cordless trimmer will do the trick. Designed using research from master barbers, the Bevel trimmer's blades repel dirt, oil, and build-up to minimize skin irritation. It also holds 5+ hours of battery life, in case Dad needs to clean up that five o'clock shadow later in the day.

Man Crates Whiskey Connoisseur Crate ($130)

If your dad is a whiskey lover, this is the ultimate gift bag. And since it's a sampler, it will suit any dad's taste buds.

Brooks Brothers Gold Knot Cuff Links ($125)

These knot-inspired cuff links will forever remind your pops of the day he helped you tie yours. The classic design ensures he'll get good use out of them too.

Boss Jet Chronograph Mesh Strap Watch, 41mm ($375)

After an all-eyes-on-you day, your dad deserves a snazzy accessory that'll turn heads. A BOSS watch certainly fits the bill and will make sure he's not late for the very important date.

Crosley Cruiser Deluxe Vintage 3-SpeedBluetooth Suitcase Turntable ($60, was $90)

Both your parents will love having this record player on hand. Make it an extra special gift for Dad by pairing it with an album that has your father-daughter dance song.

Grilling Spice Blends ($36)

If your dad loves to grill, here's another gift for post-wedding fun. This set of handcrafted rubs will spice up your dad's grill for months to come. They're all carefully curated, incorporating single-origin spices around the world to create unique flavors.

Williams-Sonoma IPA Beer Making Kit ($48)

This kit includes everything your pops will need to brew his first batch of beer. If he loves brewing, he can reuse all of the equipment for batch two and beyond.

Omaha Steaks Butcher's Classic Collection ($150 total, $271 separately)

This shipment — which includes three different types of steaks, pork chops, burgers, franks, and potatoes — delivers dinner for days to your parents' front doorstep. As an added bonus, they might even invite you and your new spouse over to enjoy some filet mignon.

Bonus: Treat them both to a personalized calendar to remember from Minted. Customize each month with multiple photo layouts and colors, and add your special text to specific days of the year (like your and their anniversaries!).

Mom and Dad have been there through every breakdown, heartbreak, and celebration and your wedding day is the perfect way to show how much you love them. Even though we know love isn't material, showing out with some amazing wedding gifts couldn't hurt!

What are some of your favorite wedding gifts for parents? Share with us @BritandCo!

This post was updated in partnership with Minted. Shop Minted for more gift ideas.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

• Gifts for Him
• Gifts for Her
• Gifts for Foodies
• DIY + Handmade Gifts
• White Elephant Gifts
• Gift Sets

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!